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Showing posts with the label 2022 at 09:54AM

Tree Identification: Do I Have a Japanese Maple?

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When it comes to show-stopping ornamental landscape trees, Japanese maple trees are at the top of many homeowner’s lists. They offer a great variety of leaf colors, shapes, and textures, and there are dwarf sizes that can fit in most spaces. They even offer upright forms or cascading ones, fitting in with a variety of landscape styles. With a bit of attention given to the right planting location and some minimal care, Japanese maples can thrive, giving your home a unique highlight that dazzles in your garden. Let’s learn more about types of Japanese maple trees and Japanese maple care, so you can choose the right species for your yard and ensure it remains a healthy addition to your space for years to come. How to Identify a Japanese Maple The Japanese maple tree is a member of the maple family. Just like the name implies, the tree originated in Japan, but these trees are known to grow wild across Korea and Mongolia hillsides, as well. In the wild, these trees can grow upwa...

A Bug’s Life: Surviving the Winter

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When the weather turns cold, we don’t think much about insects. What exactly happens to them during winter? The term overwintering is used to describe how insects navigate the challenges of the winter months and successfully come out on the other side. Insects typically have two different approaches to overwintering. Some utilize the “get out of Dodge” tactic and relocate to a more hospitable environment. The other group, those that don’t migrate, must figure out a way to handle the freezing temperatures where they live. Insect ‘Snowbirds’ Take a Vacation We often hear the slang ‘snowbird’ used to refer to people who escape the harsh weather of winter by temporarily moving to warmer locales. Well, you could say there are also insect ‘snowbirds’ that employ this same method. Monarch butterflies are the classic example. They cannot survive in freezing conditions and will fly thousands of miles to their ‘summer home.’ While most insects typically don’t travel this far, there are...