How to (humanely) get rid of groundhogs

Monster Tree Service's Director of Franchising Mark Elson was recently featured in an article titled, "How to (humanely) get rid of groundhogs" on courierpostonline.com. The article talks about the nuisance that groundhogs can cause gardeners and homeowners when they pop up around this time of year. Mark explains that groundhogs need to eat, and a home garden looks delicious to the little buggers. The article gives some tips on how to deal with groundhogs, and Mark brings up the ability to ward off groundhogs with smell repellent. He also explains how he lures groundhogs from his garden using treats, specifically cucumber. You can check out the full article here.

How to (humanely) get rid of groundhogs
By Steve Wood

 Only the filmmakers know why Punxsutawney's annual event became the running focus of the existential comedy "Groundhog Day" 20 years ago.

It's also unclear how the groundhog came to be held up as something more than a giant rodent. Gardeners, however, see through the groundhog's furry, buck-toothed front knowing it is more interested in their plans than its shadow. 

"They need about a pound of food (a day)", says Mark Elson, director of franchising at Monster Tree Service. "The easiest place for them to do that is your budding garden. And they'll do that in a second."

Click here to read the full article.

How Professional Tree Services Can Help With The Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

The article, Save Damaged Trees and Your Limbs, Too, that was published in the Home and Garden section of the New York Times talks about how homeowners should look into professional tree services to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. To read the full article see below or click here.

Save Damaged Trees and Your Limbs, Too

By: BOB TEDESCHI

I’ve done a lot of dumb things to shave a few dollars off the yard-maintenance budget, but I set a personal stupidity record six years ago when I strolled into my backyard with a borrowed chain saw and not a shred of safety gear or training.

I emerged intact, but only after nearly sawing into my thigh, risking my eyesight with flying wood chips and escaping a few other situations that I only now recognize as perilous.

So in approaching the splintered mess that Hurricane Sandy left in my yard, I vowed to be a little smarter. I sought advice from arborists, tree-removal experts and a chain-saw maven who helped me understand which damaged trees I should — and shouldn’t — cut, which ones I might save and how to identify the trees that might fall at the hands of Andrea, Barry, Chantal or any of next year’s storms.

The good news is that most reputable tree services will offer free evaluations and estimates, so it makes little sense to attempt a potentially hazardous tree removal before finding out how much it would cost to have it done professionally. And even if you have no fallen trees, these services will frequently help identify potential problems and offer tips on how to keep more of your trees upright longer.

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