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Autumn Has Arrived

Good-bye Summer, hello Fall! Crisper nights and shorter days are triggering the yearly change of color on many trees and shrubs. It’s fun to watch a neighborhood tree slowly transition from green to red or yellow or anything in between! Though beautiful on the tree, fallen leaves can look messy on the ground, so we rake them up promptly and recycle them efficiently. Ginkgo, Maple, Sweet Gum and Pistache are dependably colorful trees and so are many varieties of Crepe Myrtle, Smoke Tree, Barberry and Nandina. Add a…
Read More

Autumn Has Arrived

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Good-bye Summer, hello Fall! Crisper nights and shorter days are triggering the yearly change of color on many trees and shrubs. It’s fun to watch a neighborhood tree slowly transition from green to red or yellow or anything in between! Though beautiful on the tree, fallen leaves can look messy on the ground, so we rake them up promptly and recycle them efficiently. Ginkgo, Maple, Sweet Gum and Pistache are dependably colorful trees and so are many varieties of Crepe Myrtle, Smoke Tree, Barberry and Nandina. Add a…
Read More

Autumn Has Arrived

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Good-bye Summer, hello Fall! Crisper nights and shorter days are triggering the yearly change of color on many trees and shrubs. It’s fun to watch a neighborhood tree slowly transition from green to red or yellow or anything in between! Though beautiful on the tree, fallen leaves can look messy on the ground, so we rake them up promptly and recycle them efficiently. Ginkgo, Maple, Sweet Gum and Pistache are dependably colorful trees and so are many varieties of Crepe Myrtle, Smoke Tree, Barberry and Nandina. Add a…
Read More

Fall Colors

Fall colors are a yearly gift from Mother Nature, marking the change of seasons and reminding us of the beauty of natural cycles. At Terra, we gear up every Autumn for the massive task of collecting and disposing of all those fallen leaves. We’ve been looking at ways to make use of that overabundance without sending it to the greenwaste facility. It’s not really waste but rather a potential way to give the soil a nutritional boost and make our landscapes even healthier and more self-sustaining. To feed the soil (and all…
Read More

Fall Colors

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Fall colors are a yearly gift from Mother Nature, marking the change of seasons and reminding us of the beauty of natural cycles. At Terra, we gear up every Autumn for the massive task of collecting and disposing of all those fallen leaves. We’ve been looking at ways to make use of that overabundance without sending it to the greenwaste facility. It’s not really waste but rather a potential way to give the soil a nutritional boost and make our landscapes even healthier and more self-sustaining. To feed the soil (and all…
Read More

Fall Colors

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Fall colors are a yearly gift from Mother Nature, marking the change of seasons and reminding us of the beauty of natural cycles. At Terra, we gear up every Autumn for the massive task of collecting and disposing of all those fallen leaves. We’ve been looking at ways to make use of that overabundance without sending it to the greenwaste facility. It’s not really waste but rather a potential way to give the soil a nutritional boost and make our landscapes even healthier and more self-sustaining. To feed the soil (and all…
Read More

Soil Health

There’s an old saying that a garden is only as healthy as its soil. The ideal soil is dark, crumbly loam that smells sweet and earthy, teeming with life. Most urban and suburban areas were literally scraped during construction, removing the topsoil and many of the microorganisms that made it alive. The remaining dirt can be practically inert. Weeds won’t even grow in such a barren landscape. Established shrubs are able to hang on, especially if fertilized. To wake up the soil in such an area, we apply Holganix, an organic…
Read More

Soil Health

  • Tree Sculpture Group
There’s an old saying that a garden is only as healthy as its soil. The ideal soil is dark, crumbly loam that smells sweet and earthy, teeming with life. Most urban and suburban areas were literally scraped during construction, removing the topsoil and many of the microorganisms that made it alive. The remaining dirt can be practically inert. Weeds won’t even grow in such a barren landscape. Established shrubs are able to hang on, especially if fertilized. To wake up the soil in such an area, we apply Holganix, an organic…
Read More

Soil Health

  • Tree Sculpture Group
There’s an old saying that a garden is only as healthy as its soil. The ideal soil is dark, crumbly loam that smells sweet and earthy, teeming with life. Most urban and suburban areas were literally scraped during construction, removing the topsoil and many of the microorganisms that made it alive. The remaining dirt can be practically inert. Weeds won’t even grow in such a barren landscape. Established shrubs are able to hang on, especially if fertilized. To wake up the soil in such an area, we apply Holganix, an organic…
Read More

Evergreen Needle Drop

Even though they are evergreen, redwood and pine trees are known for shedding large quantities of brown needles during late summer and early fall, a natural process that often catches people by surprise. This needle drop is part of the trees’ annual cycle and serves to conserve water and support new growth. To cope with drought stress, these trees allow their oldest needles to die off, thus reducing the overall demand for water. Additionally, this annual shed helps rid the trees of less-efficient foliage: Needles typically last for…
Read More

Evergreen Needle Drop

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Even though they are evergreen, redwood and pine trees are known for shedding large quantities of brown needles during late summer and early fall, a natural process that often catches people by surprise. This needle drop is part of the trees’ annual cycle and serves to conserve water and support new growth. To cope with drought stress, these trees allow their oldest needles to die off, thus reducing the overall demand for water. Additionally, this annual shed helps rid the trees of less-efficient foliage: Needles typically last for…
Read More

Evergreen Needle Drop

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Even though they are evergreen, redwood and pine trees are known for shedding large quantities of brown needles during late summer and early fall, a natural process that often catches people by surprise. This needle drop is part of the trees’ annual cycle and serves to conserve water and support new growth. To cope with drought stress, these trees allow their oldest needles to die off, thus reducing the overall demand for water. Additionally, this annual shed helps rid the trees of less-efficient foliage: Needles typically last for…
Read More

Lawn Height in Summer

Have you ever noticed that professionally maintained lawns look slightly taller in summer? You might think the crews are running behind on their mowing schedule, but actually this is an industry best practice for helping turf to thrive in our long, dry summers. Allowing the lawn to grow a bit taller makes it harder for weed seeds to reach the soil, and if they do, they receive less sunlight so may not germinate. Also, the soil line stays cooler in the face of hot summer sun when the grass is allowed to grow a little higher. …
Read More

Lawn Height in Summer

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Have you ever noticed that professionally maintained lawns look slightly taller in summer? You might think the crews are running behind on their mowing schedule, but actually this is an industry best practice for helping turf to thrive in our long, dry summers. Allowing the lawn to grow a bit taller makes it harder for weed seeds to reach the soil, and if they do, they receive less sunlight so may not germinate. Also, the soil line stays cooler in the face of hot summer sun when the grass is allowed to grow a little higher. …
Read More

Lawn Height in Summer

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Have you ever noticed that professionally maintained lawns look slightly taller in summer? You might think the crews are running behind on their mowing schedule, but actually this is an industry best practice for helping turf to thrive in our long, dry summers. Allowing the lawn to grow a bit taller makes it harder for weed seeds to reach the soil, and if they do, they receive less sunlight so may not germinate. Also, the soil line stays cooler in the face of hot summer sun when the grass is allowed to grow a little higher. …
Read More

California Poppies

In case you nearly missed it, we’re just reaching the end of California Poppy season! This is Eschscholzia californica, California’s state flower and a familiar roadside weed. Plants reach only 1-2 feet tall, and they grow well without water or fertilizer in the Bay Area. Orange is the most common color, but you can find them in many shades, including red, pink, pale yellow, and even white. You sometimes hear that it is illegal to cut our state flower, but that’s not exactly true. State law says you need permission to remove / sell…
Read More

California Poppies

  • Tree Sculpture Group
In case you nearly missed it, we’re just reaching the end of California Poppy season! This is Eschscholzia californica, California’s state flower and a familiar roadside weed. Plants reach only 1-2 feet tall, and they grow well without water or fertilizer in the Bay Area. Orange is the most common color, but you can find them in many shades, including red, pink, pale yellow, and even white. You sometimes hear that it is illegal to cut our state flower, but that’s not exactly true. State law says you need permission to remove / sell…
Read More

California Poppies

  • Tree Sculpture Group
In case you nearly missed it, we’re just reaching the end of California Poppy season! This is Eschscholzia californica, California’s state flower and a familiar roadside weed. Plants reach only 1-2 feet tall, and they grow well without water or fertilizer in the Bay Area. Orange is the most common color, but you can find them in many shades, including red, pink, pale yellow, and even white. You sometimes hear that it is illegal to cut our state flower, but that’s not exactly true. State law says you need permission to remove / sell…
Read More

Firescaping

After a long rainy season, we’re starting to see the warmer, drier conditions we expect during May in the Bay Area. We love the sunny weather, but when the rains stop, the clock starts ticking on fire season. Now is a good time to clear any deadwood and start developing a plan to make your property as fire-safe as possible. We offer a multi-pronged approach to firescaping: Trim tree canopies up to 8 feet high to prevent fire ladders Mow grasses and weeds when they dry and turn brown (weed abatement) Remove highly flammable juniper…
Read More

Firescaping

  • Tree Sculpture Group
After a long rainy season, we’re starting to see the warmer, drier conditions we expect during May in the Bay Area. We love the sunny weather, but when the rains stop, the clock starts ticking on fire season. Now is a good time to clear any deadwood and start developing a plan to make your property as fire-safe as possible. We offer a multi-pronged approach to firescaping: Trim tree canopies up to 8 feet high to prevent fire ladders Mow grasses and weeds when they dry and turn brown (weed abatement) Remove highly flammable juniper…
Read More

Firescaping

  • Tree Sculpture Group
After a long rainy season, we’re starting to see the warmer, drier conditions we expect during May in the Bay Area. We love the sunny weather, but when the rains stop, the clock starts ticking on fire season. Now is a good time to clear any deadwood and start developing a plan to make your property as fire-safe as possible. We offer a multi-pronged approach to firescaping: Trim tree canopies up to 8 feet high to prevent fire ladders Mow grasses and weeds when they dry and turn brown (weed abatement) Remove highly flammable juniper…
Read More

Boulder Makeover

Our client asked us to come up with a solution for this sad slope between a fence and a sidewalk. Over time, soil can wash away or become too compacted to accept irrigation. Then you’re left with a steep slope with poor soil and just a few plants hanging on. One solution would be to take out everything and start over with concrete retaining walls, a new irrigation system, and lots of new plants, but that can add up to an expensive project for such an out-of-the-way area. We took a more economical approach, performing a tune-up…
Read More

Boulder Makeover

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Our client asked us to come up with a solution for this sad slope between a fence and a sidewalk. Over time, soil can wash away or become too compacted to accept irrigation. Then you’re left with a steep slope with poor soil and just a few plants hanging on. One solution would be to take out everything and start over with concrete retaining walls, a new irrigation system, and lots of new plants, but that can add up to an expensive project for such an out-of-the-way area. We took a more economical approach, performing a tune-up…
Read More

Boulder Makeover

  • Tree Sculpture Group
Our client asked us to come up with a solution for this sad slope between a fence and a sidewalk. Over time, soil can wash away or become too compacted to accept irrigation. Then you’re left with a steep slope with poor soil and just a few plants hanging on. One solution would be to take out everything and start over with concrete retaining walls, a new irrigation system, and lots of new plants, but that can add up to an expensive project for such an out-of-the-way area. We took a more economical approach, performing a tune-up…
Read More

Winter Blooms

We expect colorful flowers in spring and summer and vibrant, fiery leaves in fall. But what about winter? After the holiday decorations are gone, what will provide color? Never fear, winter bloomers are here! Camellias are tough, reliable shrubs with spectacular winter flowers in red, white, and all shades of pink. Easy to grow in the Bay Area. Rosemary’s Latin name means dew of the sea – and this tough little plant will thrive and bloom even on seaside cliffs. Choose from creeping and upright varieties. Hellebores are …
Read More

Winter Blooms

  • Tree Sculpture Group
We expect colorful flowers in spring and summer and vibrant, fiery leaves in fall. But what about winter? After the holiday decorations are gone, what will provide color? Never fear, winter bloomers are here! Camellias are tough, reliable shrubs with spectacular winter flowers in red, white, and all shades of pink. Easy to grow in the Bay Area. Rosemary’s Latin name means dew of the sea – and this tough little plant will thrive and bloom even on seaside cliffs. Choose from creeping and upright varieties. Hellebores are …
Read More

Winter Blooms

  • Tree Sculpture Group
We expect colorful flowers in spring and summer and vibrant, fiery leaves in fall. But what about winter? After the holiday decorations are gone, what will provide color? Never fear, winter bloomers are here! Camellias are tough, reliable shrubs with spectacular winter flowers in red, white, and all shades of pink. Easy to grow in the Bay Area. Rosemary’s Latin name means dew of the sea – and this tough little plant will thrive and bloom even on seaside cliffs. Choose from creeping and upright varieties. Hellebores are …
Read More

Creek Cleanup

The San Francisco Bay watershed covers 4600 square miles, carrying water that started as snow or rain from the mountains down to the sea. An extensive network of local streams and creeks drain into rivers and eventually into the Bay. If you’re lucky enough to have a creek or stream on your property, it’s important to make sure you keep it clear of debris that can slow the stream or even cause overflows. It’s also a good idea to remove invasive nonnative plants, as they can quickly spread and clog waterways. At Terra, we have…
Read More

Creek Cleanup

  • Tree Sculpture Group
The San Francisco Bay watershed covers 4600 square miles, carrying water that started as snow or rain from the mountains down to the sea. An extensive network of local streams and creeks drain into rivers and eventually into the Bay. If you’re lucky enough to have a creek or stream on your property, it’s important to make sure you keep it clear of debris that can slow the stream or even cause overflows. It’s also a good idea to remove invasive nonnative plants, as they can quickly spread and clog waterways. At Terra, we have…
Read More

Creek Cleanup

  • Tree Sculpture Group
The San Francisco Bay watershed covers 4600 square miles, carrying water that started as snow or rain from the mountains down to the sea. An extensive network of local streams and creeks drain into rivers and eventually into the Bay. If you’re lucky enough to have a creek or stream on your property, it’s important to make sure you keep it clear of debris that can slow the stream or even cause overflows. It’s also a good idea to remove invasive nonnative plants, as they can quickly spread and clog waterways. At Terra, we have…
Read More