2012 Halloween Light Show - Gangnam Style

Halloween Gangnam Style
Over 8,500 lights and roughly 250 channels of computer animation.

Special thanks to Kevin Judd for the inspiration. This is a hobby and the display has been in the making for about year. The Gangnam Style video was a last minute addition made possible by a LightOrama forum member, Torqumada286, who graciously shared the lead singer's mouth/vocal programming sequence with me. I tweaked it some,added the back up singers, and sequenced the rest of the house and yard props myself.

Blowing The Top Off Pine Tree Over A Phone Line

Curtis Fosnaugh, owner of Signature Tree Service takes a high perch to fell the top of this tall pine tree and make sure and miss the valued phone line in the process.

Felling A Live Oak That Stood Right Next To House In Vallejo, CA

Signature Tree Service carefully felling a oak tree too close to the house in Vallejo CA. www.signaturetreeservice.com.

Have You Ever Thought How Important Tree Trimming Is?

Tree trimming is an important task that needs to be carried out regularly, without fail. Tree trimming is not only good for the tree's growth, it is also important to trim trees at regular intervals so that they do not damage property and overhead wires. Huge trees often fall due to heavy rain and make the situation complex with the damages created on the adjacent properties. So such huge trees close to any residential buildings or industrial properties should be trimmed regularly.

Perfect Time For Tree Trimming

It is commonly said that tree trimming can be done whenever the saw is sharp. This is very true, as you do not need a specific time to trim trees. Dead branches and leaves need to be trimmed at all times to ensure the rest of the tree grows smoothly. Also, if a part of the tree is infected, it needs to be trimmed without delay. The infected part of the tree may spread the damage to other parts of the tree and sometimes to the adjacent trees as well. So the trees should be monitored regularly to find out any dead parts or insects affecting them. When such damaging insects are seen, it is recommended you remove the damaged part of the tree completely for the safety of the tree.

You also need to know what kind the trees are - whether they are flowering frees, shrubs, or plants. If it is a flowering tree, you have to be very careful with the tree trimming procedure. The majority of flowering trees deposit their blossoms on the previous year. Thus, they will not blossom if the flower buds are trimmed from the tree. The finest process is to always clip flowering trees within three weeks after they cease blossoming. That should stop you from unintentionally eliminating buds holding the blossoms for the following year. Season wise trimming of the trees can make the trees get healthy and yield more on the next blossoming season. Tree trimming will keep the trees healthy and can make them grow healthier.

There are some trees that cannot be pruned at every time of the year as well. They are:

• Maples - If trimmed at particular times of the year, a maple tree might "bleed" or drip as a result of the trimming. Bleeding is almost certain to take place when maples are trimmed in the seasons just prior to and subsequent to winter. Research has shown that "bleeding" does not wound the tree; therefore it turns out to be more of a surface concern. If you want to trim maple trees with no bleeding, it should be carried out whilst it is completely inactive in peak winter, or in spring or at summer time while it is in covered in leaf.

• Dogwoods - If you prune dogwoods during April or May, it might cause them to be further inclined to the dogwood borer. This insect ruthlessly spoils the vascular system of the tree once it finishes boring into the trunk of the dogwood tree.

• Oaks - Oaks must not be pruned from April to October, owing to the commonness of Oak Wilt disease pathogens through the time.

The Places At Which Trees Should Be Trimmed

Tree trimming may seem like an easy procedure on the surface, but you need to know exactly where to trim or else you may end up damaging the tree beyond repair. A novice engaged in tree trimming can cut off the branches in such a way that open stubs will remain and those will merrily turn into entry points for insects.

Dissimilar to human beings, trees do not redevelop tissues. As human skin restores itself, trees produce fresh tissue in the region of cut and group them. Once a tree groups a previous cut, it has an improved possibility of endurance. Care should also be taken not to hurt tree trunks with equipments such as lawnmowers, tractors and added machinery. Such injured trunks craft openings for vicious fungi. Trees can be trimmed with safer equipments like sharp saw and should be trimmed at the right places where the damages are seen or the growth has become excessive. Some of the trees blossom at very early age and so take off lot of water and energy supplied for their growth to make the blossom faster. In such cases, early blossom may block the growth of the tree and the complete growth of the tree will be impacted. In such cases, the early blossom can be trimmed and so the water and energy will be absorbed for the healthy growth of the tree.

A biological resistance method is developed into trees, in the inflamed part at the bottom of branches, called the "collar" - just where the trunk crisscrosses the branch. Even trims are vital to carry out, given you do not take away the collar. Proper tree trimming should be completed immediately ahead of the collar, exclusive of a stub, yet still leave the inflamed part.

Safety Measures

While carrying out a tree trimming expedition, you should be very careful so as to not hurt yourself or anyone around you. Tree branches are often extremely heavy and if they fall on you, can cause a lot of damage and the accidents can be fatal as well.

First and foremost, before you embark upon a tree trimming mission, judge the extent of work required to be put in. If the work is too much for you to handle, do not hesitate to call an expert. There are a number of firms that specialize in tree trimming. If you need the services of any one of these tree trimming firms, you can look on the Internet. Alternatively, you can also ask your friends and neighbors who have engaged professional tree trimmers in the past.

If, however, you see that you can handle the tree trimming task yourself, keep the following tips in mind:

• Never use a ladder. That is just inviting trouble.
• Definitely use a saddle, the special types of saddles designed for tree trimming.
• Protect your eyes without fail.
• Ask everyone standing around the tree to move away. If a branch falls on someone's head, it can even be fatal.

Tree Trimming Near Power Lines

This is a problem that has existed for years. Trees that are planted too near a power line grow tall and hit the wires overhead, causing serous damage. These damages can lead to troubles like the wires getting snapped (and consequently loss of power), fires and even trigger off a forest fire. As a result you need to be extremely cautious and get the trees trimmed regularly. In the outskirts of big cities or the forest areas having power lines, problem of free fall over the power lines are very common during heavy wind and rainy season. The tall trees often break at heavy wind, damage the power lines and create severe damages to the nearby properties. The damages created are so very huge when the power supply cause fire or electrical shocks on the stagnant water resources if available nearby. In such sensitive areas, either the power lining should be done with proper care taken or the tall trees trimmed regularly. Since the care of power lining may not be practically feasible, the tall trees can be monitored and trimmed regularly by the authorities responsible for the natural resource.

However, many argue that trees should not be planted near power lines in the first place. It is unwise to plant saplings near power lines as they will but obviously grow tall and reach for the wires. Similarly, while planting a tree, be careful not to plant them too close to property. This may lead to both the damage of the property and the tree in the days to come. Leave enough place for the tree and its branches to spread out and then only plant a sapling. After all, it is always wise to judge a problem at the root level, and in the case of tree trimming, this literally holds true! So be careful and cautious early on to help prevent any problems later on.

Tree Trimming Near Residential Properties

It is good to have a green neighborhood. But the dense trees grown taller may create trouble when fallen on the nearby properties. The tree fall may also cause damages to people staying in the smaller buildings in case of heavy wind and storms. To avoid such complications, it should be noted not to have trees planted densely in the residential locations. If planted, proper care should be taken to trim the trees regularly.

Having a woods-like neighborhood may be lovely to live in, but the serious problems caused by the tall trees should be taken care of properly, to make the living really lovely and interesting. Properly trimmed trees can make the living area look beautiful and make the location safe to live.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4151766

Signature Tree Service Commercial

Curtis and his team show how Signature Tree Service are the right choice when if comes to taking care of your trees. See more at www.signaturetreeservice.com

Let a Tree Service Save Your Beloved Old Tree

Trees are a very important addition to many landscapes including businesses, residential neighborhoods, homes, and of course in their natural habitats. However, trees eventually get old and can also suffer from pest and insect infestation, rot, or disease. During a bad downpour weakened trees and their limbs can lean on power lines or your house. These trees tend to become hollow and during a thunderstorm with high winds and lightning, and can drop huge limbs or even split in half and fall, resulting in devastation to your residence and neighborhood.

Being proactive in the care of trees can save one from heartache and unnecessary damage. However, tree care is overlooked by many of us as we tend to assume that the trees that grow in our backyard are healthy and safe. This is often not the case and we may find ourselves having to call a licensed tree service to respond to a situation after it is too late to save the tree. Sometimes a crashing tree branch can cause extensive home repair or car damage.

Through photosynthesis trees convert carbon dioxide into oxygen which our planet needs to contain life. Their healthy, lush foliage bring beauty and shade to everyday surroundings. Trees can provide a natural sound buffer for those who live or work in areas of high traffic or industrial noise. Maintaining healthy trees can not only provide beauty to your property but also increase its value.

Yet consistent care is required to maintain the structural integrity and longevity of trees, especially cultivated ones that mark property lines between homes or businesses. Good foliage care is important during the life of a tree and planning is essential before planting one. Tree care tends to be either proactive or reactive in nature. If you are a new home or business owner you first need to do a little research in the area of horticulture and landscaping.

You will need to decide what variety of trees and consider and where to plant them. You certainly don't want the root systems interfering with underground utility pipes, electrical power and cable lines, sidewalks, or driveways. Consulting a certified arborist can be a big help and extremely cost effective. Tree trimming can assist in keeping your existing trees healthy and vibrant, thus preserving their natural beauty.

Trimming and pruning also prevents excess foliage from blocking your view or keeping sunlight from getting to your flowers or vegetable garden, and branches from growing over your neighbor's fence or sidewalk on the street. Pruning can be completed on fruit bearing trees and hardwoods. Some of the most common techniques are crown reduction, crown raising and crown thinning to grow healthy and symmetrical branches and leaves. Crown and brush thinning helps to expose dead leaves and branches, which when cleared out or cut off, can help prevent wildfires from erupting.

Certified arborists stay abreast of the most current techniques and information in foliage and tree care. Arborists are fully licensed and insured, have a minimum of three years experience and all of their work is guaranteed. Keep your neighborhood beautiful and your home and trees safe. Your local tree service can help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4246193

Fall is the Time to Get Your Garden Trees and Shrubs Ready for Winter: Here's What to Do

Tips for winter care of trees and shrubs

With the garden season drawing to a close, it's awfully tempting to forget about your plants. But you should continue to water all woody plants - especially newly planted trees and shrubs and all evergreens. Helping your valuable garden trees and shrubs sail through winter starts with thorough watering in the fall.

Water your plants well until the ground freezes, and make sure you water enough through a dry fall. Your plants will need the equivalent of one inch of rain per week. (In a wet fall, you can relax.)

Evergreens and broadleaf evergreens (shrubs such as rhododendron and boxwood) don't lose their leaves, so they need a good store of moisture going into winter because they continue to transpire (give off water vapor) through the cold months.

Most winter damage to evergreens doesn't actually come from cold, but from the drying effects of late winter sun and wind. With the soil frozen hard, plant roots can't take up water to make up for moisture losses from transpiration and, as a result, dehydration can cause browning or burning of foliage.

Winterizing trees and shrubs: To wrap or not to wrap?

When considering winter care of trees and shrubs, don't go crazy with burlap wrap. It's extra work and doesn't look great.

After all, the whole point of evergreens is to give you something green to look at in the winter! Contrary to popular belief, most established evergreens hardy in your region don't need to be wrapped.

However, as with many things in gardening, there are exceptions. Some evergreens, such as dwarf Alberta spruce, are prone to winter-burn, so they should be covered, as should newly planted evergreens. (New plants haven't had time grow extensive roots that help them take up enough moisture to prevent excessive water losses.)

To make a windbreak around vulnerable plants, hammer four stakes into the ground and staple on a burlap covering. Never use plastic, or your plants could "cook" on sunny days. (Remember the greenhouse effect?)

More tips for winter care of woody plants: 

• If your plants get salt spray from the road, burlap may help, but wrap them with a double layer, not a single layer. To avoid having to cover your evergreens, don't plant them near a road that gets salted, or plant salt-tolerant species such as junipers.
• Protect broadleaf evergreens such as rhododendron, pieris and laurel from the drying effects of winter sun and wind with an anti-desiccant spray such as Wilt-Pruf, which coats foliage with a protective waxy film. You can also wrap with burlap, if you must.
• To help preserve moisture, cover the root area of evergreens and broadleaf evergreens with a three-inch thick layer of leaf or bark mulch.
• Protect upright evergreen junipers and cedars from breakage due to ice and snow by wrapping branches with heavy string or mesh covers sold for this purpose. Once fastened into place, you'll hardly see the string or mesh.
• Protect young trees by putting plastic tree guards around the bottom of their trunks to prevent damage from gnawers such as rabbits and mice. Make sure the tree guards go high enough - over the snow line. (Remove them in the spring because it looks better and avoids the problem of the guards trapping moisture against the bark in the summer and attracting insects.)
• If rabbits are a big problem in your area, put chicken wire cages around the plants they find most tasty.
• Prevent rabbit and rodent damage with a repellent spray that you apply on lower trunks, branches and stems. Such products generally have to be reapplied after wet weather.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/63375

Two Climbers And One Guy In Aerial Lift Working Next To And Over POWERLI...

Two Climbers And One Guy In Aerial Lift

Fosnaugh's H.E.E.L. Chain Saw Safety Message

Curtis Fosnaugh of Signature Tree Service talks about safety whenever one wants to pick up a chain saw and start cutting. He uses H.E.E.L. for Head, Eyes, Ears, and Legs, or Helmet, Eye Protection (safety glasses), Ear Protection (ear plugs, noise blogging headset), and Leg Protection (chaps). Good advice!

http://www.signaturetreeservice.com.

It's All About The Kids: Vacaville Kid Fest, Sat Oct 6th, Andrews Park, Downtown Vacaville

Vacaville Kid Fest was started in 1999, when an idea was born to create a "Children's Festival", a place where families could come and have a day of activities with their children at very little or no cost, and also have the opportunity to learn about many of the services and resources that were available to children and families. We adopted the theme "For the Child in all of us".

A group of City of Vacaville representatives, ranging from business owners and managers, nonprofit groups and media people were approached with the idea and met it with enthusiasm. And thus, Kid Fest was born.

The first Kid Fest Core Committee consisted of Shauna Manina, Meaghan O'Neill from Vacaville Police Dept., Linnea Dischinger from Vacaville Fire Dept., Todd Grames and Suzanne Green from Community Services Dept., and Reggie Hubbard from Housing & Redevelopment Dept. Other business people from The Reporter, Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District, and others all committed to the vision of a day of low cost or no cost activities, free resources, and fun.

Our first event in 1999 had 1 stage and 40 booths, with everything from food, crafters and merchandise vendors, a wide range of social service and community nonprofit groups, free children's games and entertainment, bounce houses, and a very strong focus on child safety and health. From the beginning, a large component of the event has been the presence of Vacaville Fire and Police Depts., with their equipment displays, children's fire muster, and safety information.

By 2001, there were 2 stages of entertainment and over 120 booths participating in the event. The committee members have changed over the years, but the event has continued, and become part of the fabric of what makes Vacaville a family oriented community. The focus remains on child and family safety and health.

See more about this wonderful organization at www.VacavilleKidFest.org

See you there!

taking apart of a limb in Ash tree over a house

Signature Tree Service at work. Cutting an Ash tree that has grown over a house.