Privacy screening with trees is a landscaping technique used to create a natural and aesthetically pleasing barrier that shields a property, outdoor space, or specific area from view, noise, or other disturbances. It involves strategically planting trees to provide privacy, security, and an enhanced sense of seclusion. This approach offers several advantages over traditional privacy measures like fences, walls, or shrubs.
Here are the key components of the concept of privacy screening with trees:
Strategic Tree Placement: Privacy trees are strategically planted along property lines, borders, or in specific areas where privacy is desired. The selection of tree species, their placement, and spacing are carefully planned to maximize their effectiveness as a privacy barrier.
Natural Aesthetics: Unlike man-made barriers, such as fences or walls, privacy trees provide a more natural and visually appealing solution. They enhance the beauty of the landscape, create greenery, and blend seamlessly into the environment.
Variable Heights: Privacy trees come in various sizes and shapes, allowing homeowners and landscapers to choose the right tree species that will grow to the desired height and density. Some trees are evergreen and offer year-round privacy, while others may provide seasonal screening.
Noise Reduction: In addition to visual privacy, privacy trees can also act as a noise buffer, reducing the impact of nearby traffic, neighbors, or other sources of noise pollution.
Long-Term Investment: Once established, privacy trees typically require less maintenance compared to man-made privacy barriers like fences or walls. They can grow and provide privacy for many years, making them a long-term investment in the property.
Customization: Property owners have the flexibility to select from a wide range of tree species that suit their climate, soil conditions, and personal preferences. This allows for customization to match the overall landscaping design.
Increased Property Value: Well-planned privacy screening with trees can enhance the overall value of a property by improving its visual appeal, creating a more attractive outdoor space, and increasing marketability.
Psychological Benefits: Being surrounded by nature and greenery has been associated with reduced stress, improved mental well-being, and a stronger connection to the natural world.
In summary, privacy screening with trees offers a harmonious and sustainable way to achieve privacy, security, and an attractive outdoor environment. It combines the practical benefits of seclusion with the ecological advantages of planting trees, making it a popular choice for homeowners and businesses seeking a natural and eco-friendly solution to privacy needs.
Importance of Privacy in Residential and Commercial Settings
Privacy is of great importance in both residential and commercial settings, as it serves various essential functions that contribute to the well-being, security, and functionality of these spaces. Here’s a detailed explanation of the importance of privacy in both contexts:
Residential Settings:
Personal Space and Comfort: Privacy in homes allows individuals and families to have their own personal space and autonomy. It enables people to relax, unwind, and carry out personal activities without feeling exposed or vulnerable to the outside world.
Security and Safety: Privacy safeguards the security and safety of residents. It acts as a deterrent against intruders, both physical and visual, reducing the risk of theft, burglary, and unauthorized access.
Emotional Well-being: Having privacy at home fosters emotional well-being by providing a sense of refuge and tranquility. It allows residents to manage stress, build stronger relationships, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Freedom of Expression: Privacy encourages freedom of expression and creativity. Residents can decorate their homes, engage in hobbies, and express their personalities without judgment or interference.
Family Life: Families benefit from privacy to nurture their relationships, engage in intimate conversations, and create lasting memories together. It also allows parents to raise their children in a safe and nurturing environment.
Noise Control: Privacy helps control noise levels within the home, preventing disturbances from neighbors or external sources. This is especially important in densely populated areas.
Property Value: Homes with well-designed privacy features, such as fences, landscaping, or window treatments, often have higher property values, making it a wise investment for homeowners.
Commercial Settings:
Confidentiality: In commercial settings, privacy is crucial for protecting sensitive information, trade secrets, and client data. It ensures that confidential business operations remain confidential.
Productivity: Employees need privacy to focus on their work, free from distractions and interruptions. Individual workspaces and meeting rooms contribute to higher productivity and concentration.
Client and Employee Comfort: Privacy in commercial spaces ensures a comfortable and inviting environment for clients and employees. It fosters a sense of professionalism and respect for personal boundaries.
Legal Compliance: Many industries and businesses are legally obligated to maintain privacy, especially when handling personal or medical information. Non-compliance can result in legal consequences.
Meetings and Collaboration: While private workspaces are important, designated areas for confidential meetings and collaboration are equally essential. These spaces encourage brainstorming and decision-making without fear of eavesdropping.
Business Image: A commitment to privacy enhances a business’s reputation and image, reassuring clients and partners that their information and transactions are secure.
Ethical Considerations: Respect for privacy is a fundamental ethical consideration in the workplace. It demonstrates an organization’s commitment to treating employees and clients with dignity and respect.
In both residential and commercial settings, privacy is a fundamental aspect of creating safe, comfortable, and functional spaces. It supports individual well-being, protects sensitive information, and contributes to a harmonious and productive environment for both residents and employees.
Benefits Using Trees for Privacy Screening
Using trees for privacy screening offers numerous benefits in residential and commercial settings. Here are the key advantages:
Natural Aesthetics: Trees provide a more natural and visually appealing solution compared to man-made barriers like fences or walls. They enhance the beauty of the landscape, add greenery, and create an inviting outdoor environment.
Enhanced Privacy: Trees create a natural visual barrier that shields properties from neighboring views. They offer a sense of seclusion and privacy, allowing residents or employees to enjoy their spaces without feeling exposed.
Noise Reduction: In addition to visual privacy, privacy trees can act as a noise buffer, reducing the impact of nearby traffic, neighbors, or other sources of noise pollution. This makes outdoor and indoor spaces quieter and more peaceful.
Environmental Benefits: Using trees for privacy screening contributes to environmental conservation. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, mitigate climate change, and release oxygen. They also provide habitats for wildlife, supporting biodiversity.
Energy Efficiency: Strategically placed trees can reduce cooling costs in summer by providing shade to buildings. In winter, they act as windbreaks, reducing heating expenses. This results in energy savings and a more comfortable living or working environment.
Low Maintenance: Once established, privacy trees typically require less maintenance compared to man-made privacy barriers. They do not need regular painting or repairs, and their upkeep mainly involves pruning and occasional watering.
Customization: Property owners can choose from a wide range of tree species to fit their specific climate, soil conditions, and aesthetic preferences. This allows for customization to match the overall landscaping design.
Increased Property Value: A well-designed privacy landscape with trees can enhance property values. Homes and businesses with attractive and well-maintained landscapes are often more marketable and valuable.
Psychological Benefits: Being surrounded by nature and greenery has been linked to reduced stress, improved mental well-being, and a stronger connection to the natural world. Privacy trees contribute to a healthier and happier living or working environment.
Long-Term Investment: Privacy trees can grow and provide privacy for many years, making them a long-term investment in the property. Their value appreciates over time as they mature and become more established.
Eco-Friendly Solution: Choosing trees for privacy screening aligns with sustainable and eco-friendly practices. It reduces the use of materials like wood or concrete for man-made barriers and promotes a greener and more environmentally responsible approach.
In summary, using trees for privacy screening offers a harmonious and sustainable way to achieve privacy, security, and an attractive outdoor environment. It combines the practical benefits of seclusion with the ecological advantages of planting trees, making it a popular and eco-conscious choice for homeowners and businesses.
If you need a tree service in Utah, you can call: Truco Services, Inc. 4640 Commerce Drive Murray, Utah 84107 (801) 466-8044 https://truetreeservices.com/
Tree Plants Indoor
Tree Plants Indoor
Some Types of Tree Plants to Grow Indoors
With simple care tips, these tree plants can add lush greenery to your space.
An areca tree growing indoors.
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Perhaps because of their association with tropical environments, indoor tree plants can elicit feelings of peace and relaxation like no other houseplant can. Trees are good indoor plants if you can provide the proper conditions for them. So indoor tree plant identification is key to know what your exact species needs.
Several types of indoor tree trees, including the areca tree and parlor tree, tolerate most household environments quite well. But there are some important factors to consider about indoor tree plant care.
Indoor Tree Plant Care Tips
How you care for an indoor tree plant is similar to many other houseplants that come from the tropics. Most types of indoor tree trees like the same conditions we find comfortable: warm temperatures, average humidity, and moderate light. Some indoor tree plants can even tolerate low light, though this usually will result in weaker growth.
Trees are generally slow-growing and need minimal pruning to clean up dead and broken fronds. They’ll require a quality tree fertilizer to help maintain lush growth. And you must watch out for common houseplant pests, such as spider mites and scale.
Here are some of the easiest trees to grow indoors to add a breezy, tropical feel to your home.
Chinese Fan Tree (Livistona chinensis)
Chinese fan tree with feathery frond leaves in white ceramic pot next to houseplants.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
The star-shaped leaves of Livistona chinensis set it apart from other trees with the more classic feathery fronds. While it’s slow-growing, this tree species’ mature height can reach 15 feet or greater. So it’s worth seeking out the subglobosa dwarf cultivar if you plan on growing the tree indoors.
Chinese fan trees do well in bright light, but younger plants can tolerate shady locations. Water when the top of the soil feels dry. Choose a large pot that will accommodate the long taproot that the Chinese fan tree produces. And feed this tree once a year in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer.
Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates some shade
Water: Moderately moist soil
Color Varieties: Emerald green foliage
Areca Tree (Dypsis lutescens)
An areca tree growing indoors.
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Also known as the bamboo tree, the areca tree (Dypsis lutescens) is one of the easiest trees to grow indoors thanks to its tolerance for low light. It produces large, feathery green fronds that have a gentle curve.
The areca tree prefers a moderate amount of water. Plant your areca tree in fertile soil, and give it a monthly fertilizer application to maintain a lush look.
Light: Sun or shade but looks its best in bright, indirect light
Water: Moderately moist soil
Color Varieties: Yellow-green stems and light green leaves
Majesty Tree (Ravenea rivularis)
Majestic tree in wicker basket with tall dark green fronds.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
The majesty tree (Ravenea rivularis) has two positive qualities that make it an ideal tree that will grow indoors: It is very shade tolerant, and it is a slow grower. However, you must be aware of two drawbacks of this tree: It needs constant moisture and humidity, and it will outgrow an indoor space over time.
If you can keep your majesty tree in a reasonably moist area, such as the kitchen or bathroom, then you can look forward to cultivating a graceful stand of dark green fronds that will add life to an empty corner of your home.
Light: Bright, indirect light for the entire day
Water: Consistently moist soil
Color Varieties: Bright green to dark green leaves
Cascade Tree (Chamaedorea cataractarum)
Green tree foliage tree isolated.
As opposed to some tree trees that feature a central trunk, Chamaedorea cataractarum is a very full tree with clumps of fronds eventually reaching 6 feet tall. You’ll be able to separate mature clumps, giving you new plant material to propagate by division.
In its native habitat, the cascade tree thrives along streams and in wet lowlands, so you must irrigate it frequently when growing it indoors. Fortunately for indoor growth, cascade trees are understory plants, so they can tolerate limited light.
Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates shade; avoid direct sunlight
Water: Consistently moist soil
Color Varieties: Dark green leaves
Parlor Tree (Chamaedorea elegans)
Parlor tree in gold pot with small green fronds on shelf next to décor items.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
As the name suggests, the parlor tree (Chamaedorea elegans) is one of the easiest trees to grow indoors. It grows in average indoor light (or even artificial light) and typical room temperatures. And it requires no pruning other than an occasional tidying of dead branches.
Parlor trees flourish in above-average humidity. Be aware they might attract spider mites if conditions are very dry.
Light: Indirect light; avoid direct sun
Water: Consistently moist soil
Color Varieties: Light green leaves
Ponytail Tree (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Ponytail tree in white pot with long wispy fronds next to gold watering can and patterned pillows.
The swollen trunk base isn’t just ornamental; it functions as a water reservoir for the plant, making it very drought tolerant. Give your ponytail tree a sunny location for optimal plant health. Moreover, it’s fine for the ponytail tree to become pot bound; in fact, this can keep growth manageable for a tabletop specimen.
Light: Full sun; tolerates bright, indirect light
Water: Moderately moist soil, will tolerate dry conditions
Color Varieties: Light green leaves
Sago Tree (Cycas revoluta)
Sago tree in white pot with shaggy pineapple-like trunk and feather-like fronds next to white watering can and window.
The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak
If the sago tree is your first introduction to the world of indoor tree plants, you’re in for a treat. Stiff fronds grow in an upright habit from a short, shaggy trunk that resembles a pineapple. This plant (which is not a true tree but more closely related to conifers) is very slow-growing.
Choose an indoor location that receives filtered sun for four to six hours per day. The sago tree needs regular and consistent moisture, but make sure the soil surface is nearly dry between water applications.
Light: Full sun or bright, indirect light; tolerates some shade
Water: Moderately moist soil
Color Varieties: Light green leaves
The sago tree is toxic to humans and pets. So be mindful about its placement as a houseplant if you have kids or animals.
Yucca Tree (Yucca elephantipes)
Yucca tree with sharp leaves in corner of living room.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Indoor tree plant identification is very important when it comes to yucca trees. Yucca aloifolia, also known as the Spanish bayonet, has razor-sharp leaves and belongs outdoors. Yucca elephantipes is the spineless yucca tree, and while its leaves do have a pointy tip, the plant is unlikely to draw blood like its spiny cousin.
You might also see the indoor yucca tree sold under the name “stick yucca.” Tough strappy green leaves emerge from an attractive trunk on the yucca tree. The plants are very drought tolerant and grow in full sun or part shade.
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderately moist soil
Color Varieties: Light green to bluish-green
Tree plant Care
Successfully growing tree plant requires carefully balancing several factors: heat, light, and fertilization. Plants that are over-fertilized and grown in warm conditions, but not given enough light, will stretch out looking for more. Plants that are given too much light without a corresponding increase in fertilizer and water will scorch. The right balance indoors likely means a bright corner, with plenty of water, and less fertilizer than you probably think.
Tree plant has a reputation for being somewhat of a temperamental plant. Although tree plants are understory plants in their natural habitat, indoors it’s a good idea to provide as much light as possible. Plants that are stretching and bleached should be moved into a brighter spot for a few weeks, but don’t expose them to full sunlight.
Soil
These trees are acid-loving plants that do best with a pH level as low as 5.0, so don’t worry about a peat-based mixture acidifying and hurting your tree plant. A standard potting mix, with some extra peat mixed in, is an ideal growing medium for tree plants1. These trees need good drainage to prevent water-logged roots.
Water
Keep the potting media evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Don’t let the plant’s soil get too dry between watering or you’ll start to lose lower leaves.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant will grow fairly well in temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It prefers high humidity but can survive in ordinary household humidity levels. In colder climates where winter air can get very dry; running a humidifier can make the plants happier. Misting the plant daily will also ensure it gets the humidity it craves. Low humidity levels can encourage insect pests.
American Fork is a city in north-central Utah County, Utah, United States, at the foot of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range, north from Utah Lake. This city is thirty-two miles southeast of Salt Lake City. It is part of the Provo–Orem Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 33,337 in 2020. The city has grown rapidly since the 1970s.
TruCo is a great company to work with for your commercial landscaping and snow removal needs! Rob is excellent to work with. He is very timely in providing quotes and has a lot of great feedback and suggestions to provide on what will look great, fit within your budget, and is knowledgeable on plants that will thrive with Utah's ever changing weather conditions. I have been impressed with TruCo's landscape maintenance as well as landscape projects which have had a quick turnaround time. I would highly recommend using TruCo!
I experienced excellent all around service from landscape improvement design, scheduling and professional installation completed within the timeline we discussed. Rob, the manager does an excellent job of communicating, overseeing the install crew and making sure his customers are 100% satisfied with the job. Highly recommend TruCo for all landscaping needs.
We hired TruCo to do a new install of sprinklers, sod, spigot, and bury downspouts. We even have a wifi transmitter for our control box we can access from an app on our phones! We absolutely love the professionalism and quality of their work!! Our sales rep Pete was the best to work with, we highly recommend him to anyone in the market for landscaping. It was awesome seeing the finished results and we're incredibly excited to enjoy our new space!
TruCo installed all of our plants, trees and shrubs, drip lines, and boulders. Then they installed our amazing beautiful firepit. We loved the results and they guarantee all plants and trees up to a year. They were great and easy to work with. They listened to our needs and wants and met them 100%. Our HOA sent us a letter telling us they appreciate all the work and the way our yard looks and let us know we added value to the property. Win/Win
Avoid working for this company. They will promise you things to get you in, then tell you there is no documentation about said things. Extremely unprofessional.
Update to response - please dont try to justify. PTO was promised by the hiring manager on day 1 due to the conditions. Your company refusing to honor the agreement and tell me that there is no documentation is the problem. I quit after being told that you would not honor the PTO, not before.
The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) makes a surprisingly interesting desktop plant, considering that when grown outdoors it can be a full-size tree that towers over homes. When planted outside in full sun, ponytail palms can reach 30 feet tall, but they typically stay closer to 6 feet tall at maturity when grown indoors. Despite the common name and the appearance of the foliage, this plant is not a true palm, but rather a member of the Asparagaceae family that includes edible asparagus.
Indoors, these novel little trees are often grown in shallow pots, with a tuft of strappy green leaves emerging from a bulbous stem that seems to erupt from the soil. (The bulbous trunk is the source of one of its common names, “elephant’s foot.”) Given time and the right conditions, a small desktop plant will grow into respectable specimen plants, up to 6 feet in height or more. Ponytail palm is native to arid regions in Central America and is among the easiest of small trees to grow indoors.
When planted outdoors, spring is the traditional planting time, though a ponytail palm can be planted at almost any time. This is a very slow-growing, long-lived species. It may take five years or more for a 1-foot-tall plant to double in size.
Botanical Name Beaucarnea recurvata
Common Name Ponytail palm, elephant’s foot
Plant Type Broadleaf evergreen shrub/ tree
Mature Size 6 to 8 feet tall; 3- to 5-foot spread (up to 30 feet tall when planted outdoors)
Sun Exposure Full sun
Soil Type Sandy, well-draining soil
Soil pH 6.5 to 7.5 (neutral)
Bloom Time Seasonal bloomer
Flower Color Creamy white
Hardiness Zones 10 to 11 (USDA); usually grown as a houseplant
Native Area Semi-desert areas of Central America
How to Grow a Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palm can be grown as an outdoor plant only in USDA Zones 10 and 11, where it prefers a sandy soil in a full-sun location. When grown outdoors, it is best planted in a cactus/succulent potting mix and placed in the sunniest spot you can find; in the right location, it is largely trouble-free, provided it gets a modest amount of water at regular intervals.
As an indoor plant, the ponytail is basically a “plant it and forget it” kind of plant, providing it has enough light to thrive and somewhat steady water throughout the growing season. Keep in mind, though, that the ponytail palm is an extremely slow-growing plant, so don’t expect your desktop plant to transform into a corner specimen in one or two growing seasons.
Light
Ponytail palms like full sun or bright indirect light. When grown as an indoor plant, situate it in the brightest location you can find—a window that gets direct sun or plenty of indirect light.
Soil
This plant is native to semi-desert areas of Central America, and when planted outdoors it does best in relatively sandy but organically rich soil. As in indoor plant, it does well in a cactus/succulent potting mix augmented with peat to improve its richness.
Water
For potted indoor plants, water a ponytail palm during the growing season every seven to 14 days. The bulbous stem stores water, so be careful not to overwater it. During the winter season, cut back watering to monthly.
A ponytail palm planted in the garden rarely needs to be watered if you get any kind of regular rain. In dry climates or during periods of drought, a modest watering every two weeks is sufficient.
Temperature and Humidity
Ponytail palms prefer warm, arid temperatures, above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they will survive down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, providing these temps are not prolonged.
Fertilizer
Feed weekly with liquid fertilizer during the growing season, or use a slow-release pellet fertilizer in the spring. Reduce feeding during the winter.
Potting and Repotting
For growing indoors, pot a ponytail palm in a smallish container filled with a cactus/ succulent potting mix that is blended with some peat. Repot in the spring as needed. If your goal is to grow a large palm tree, repot it every year, but if you want to keep it smaller, repot every two or three years. Ponytail palms will thrive when slightly underpotted in a container that confines the roots.
Propagating Ponytail Palms
Ponytail palms sometimes develop offsets (“pups”) from the base, which can be removed and potted up individually. Generally, however, this is a difficult task to master because of a lack of roots on the offsets. If you want to try, use a rooting hormone to stimulate new root growth on the offset. A ponytail palm rarely (if ever) flowers indoors to produce viable seeds.
Pruning a Ponytail Palm
Damaged leaves should have the tips trimmed off back to healthy tissue. If the offsets (“pups”) send up secondary shoots, you can prune these away to maintain a central trunk and classic tree-like appearance. However, a multi-stemmed tree is often desirable, and many people welcome these secondary shoots.
Common Pests/Diseases
Like most houseplants, a ponytail palm can be susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Horticultural soaps or oils are good non-toxic methods for controlling these pests.
Potential but rare disease problems include leaf spots, stem rots, and bacterial leaf streak. Watering too much is the most common cause of fungal problems and stem rot.
Ponytail palms are unique-looking, long-lived indoor plants that thrive on benign neglect. They are very easy to grow, provided that you don’t overwater them! Here’s how to grow and care for a ponytail palm in your home.
About Ponytail Palms
Despite its name and palm-like appearance, the ponytail palm is not a true “palm.” In fact, it is more closely related to desert plants in the Agave and Yucca genera (such as Joshua trees).
The typical ponytail palm consists of a large, domed “stump,” which tapers off into a thinner stem. From the top of the stem, one or more rosettes of long, green, leathery leaves develop as the plant ages. Indoors, the leaves can get up to 3 feet long, but outdoors, they may be double that length.
In its native environment (eastern Mexico), the entire plant has been known to reach up to 30 feet in height! However, ponytail palms that are grown in gardens as landscape plants don’t usually get to be more than 10 feet tall. Kept indoors, they are rarely taller than 4 feet.
Care of this plant is generally simple; the most common difficulty is having to adapt your watering habits to its watering needs!
PLANTING
Choosing Soil and a Pot
Use a fast draining soil, such as a cacti and succulent potting mix. If you have potting soil, sand, and perlite already on hand, you can create your own desert soil mixture: Simply mix 1 part potting soil, 1 part perlite, and 1 part sand.
Select a pot that has a hole in the bottom, so that excess water can be drained off. Ponytail palms do not like to sit in moist soil for very long.
Use a clay pot if possible; the porous material will absorb some of the water, drying out the soil more quickly (a good thing for cacti and succulents).
GROWING
How to Care for Ponytail Palms
Ponytail palms prefer to have as much light as possible, so place the plant in a bright location. Bright, indirect sunlight is best.
Keep soil fairly dry. Water from spring through fall, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry completely before re-watering. During the winter, only water occasionally.
To water, soak the soil and allow the excess water to drain through the bottom of the pot into a dish. Let the pot sit in the dish for several minutes, then dump out any remaining water in the dish.
Fertilize in the spring with a cacti/succulent fertilizer and bring into a brighter room for the summer months.
Normal room temperature is fine for most of the year, but keep the plant slightly cooler in the winter (50-55°F / 10-13°C) to replicate the natural dormancy cycle.
During winter, don’t let the plant sit too close to cold windows at night, as it can be severely damaged by freezing temperatures.
Repotting a Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palms will remain small if kept in a small pot. They can go for many years before needing to be repotted. Repotting every other year at the most is all a ponytail palm needs.
Moving the plant to a larger pot will give it room to grow in both height and girth. However, older plants may become difficult to manage due to their sheer size and weight if not kept on the smaller size.
When selecting a new pot, pick one large enough to leave about an inch or so of space between the ponytail palm’s trunk and the rim of the pot.
Note: Use caution when handling a ponytail palm, as its leaves have tiny serrated edges.
HARVESTING
Propagation
Rarely, a ponytail palm may produce an offset—a small baby plant that stems from the base of the adult plant. These can be cut off at the base when they reach at least 4 inches in height and planted in a succulent potting mix. Before planting, allow the cut wound to heal, then apply a bit of rooting hormone (available online and in nurseries) to encourage the offset to root.
WIT AND WISDOM
The plant’s unusual shape and coloration has granted it another strange nickname: the Elephant’s Foot Palm.
Are ponytail palms poisonous to cats? While the leaves of a ponytail palm are not toxic to feline (or canine) companions, their foliage does have abrasive edges that could irritate a pet’s mouth, so we suggest keeping the plant out of reach.
PESTS/DISEASES
Overwatering can result in stem rot. If you withhold watering, the plant may be able to internally remedy the problem. Signs of stem rot include yellowing leaves and a caudex (the plant’s base and stem) that is soft or squishy.
Spider mites and scale insects may find their way to the leaves, but can be dealt with by rubbing a cloth of dish soap and water on the stems. Spider mites are evidenced by the presence of spider-like webbing on the plant.
Brown tips on leaves can be a sign of over fertilizing or under watering, so adjust your husbandry practices appropriately. They can also be a sign that the plant is getting too much direct sunlight and too little water.
Draper is a city in Salt Lake and Utah counties in the U.S. state of Utah, about 20 miles (32 km) south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. As of the 2020 census, the population is 51,017, up from 7,143 in 1990.
TruCo is a great company to work with for your commercial landscaping and snow removal needs! Rob is excellent to work with. He is very timely in providing quotes and has a lot of great feedback and suggestions to provide on what will look great, fit within your budget, and is knowledgeable on plants that will thrive with Utah's ever changing weather conditions. I have been impressed with TruCo's landscape maintenance as well as landscape projects which have had a quick turnaround time. I would highly recommend using TruCo!
I experienced excellent all around service from landscape improvement design, scheduling and professional installation completed within the timeline we discussed. Rob, the manager does an excellent job of communicating, overseeing the install crew and making sure his customers are 100% satisfied with the job. Highly recommend TruCo for all landscaping needs.
Michael the tree guy is so smart. He knows all about tree removal, cutting and tree trimming services. Truco did amazing work for me. We had 16 very old and mature trees removed. The Truco team showed up on time ready to get the job done. They did amazing with clean up truly respect your property and your life. Communication was really good. They needed to move some things to get the stump grinder to our yard they put things back with no issues. Extremely professional and truly know what they're doing. If anyone is looking for professional tree removal or tree service you really should call Jason or Michael at Truco.
We hired TruCo to do a new install of sprinklers, sod, spigot, and bury downspouts. We even have a wifi transmitter for our control box we can access from an app on our phones! We absolutely love the professionalism and quality of their work!! Our sales rep Pete was the best to work with, we highly recommend him to anyone in the market for landscaping. It was awesome seeing the finished results and we're incredibly excited to enjoy our new space!
TruCo installed all of our plants, trees and shrubs, drip lines, and boulders. Then they installed our amazing beautiful firepit. We loved the results and they guarantee all plants and trees up to a year. They were great and easy to work with. They listened to our needs and wants and met them 100%. Our HOA sent us a letter telling us they appreciate all the work and the way our yard looks and let us know we added value to the property. Win/Win
Native to the rainforests of western and central Africa, the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree (Ficus lyrata) is a stunning plant with huge green leaves and an even larger following of houseplant fans. Despite its popularity, it’s certainly not the easiest houseplant to look after, but its visual impact in a space is unmatched when given proper conditions and care.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig appreciates a warm, humid environment, a fair amount of water and plenty of light. Choose a location away from air vents and drafts where the tree will receive plenty of bright ambient light. Directly in front of, or close by a southern or western facing window is ideal, and eastern exposure can also work as long as the plant is directly in the window and the space feels very bright. A few hours of direct sun is also beneficial. If placed in a full-sun location (where the plant will receive over 6 hours of direct light daily), a humid environment will keep your Fiddle Leaf looking its best. We do not recommend this plant for windows with northern exposure. They will not thrive in low-light locations.
If you’re unsure about your lighting conditions, placing the tree directly next to the window is the safest bet. We also have a guide for how to measure light in your space.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees are particularly sensitive to environmental changes. They will likely take a little time to adjust to their new home. Be sure to follow the care instructions, and don’t panic if yours loses a few leaves. If leaf discoloration or leaf loss persists, please reach out and we will help troubleshoot!
Lastly, if you are using a container made from organic materials to pot your Fiddle Leaf in, we highly recommend using a waterproof saucer underneath to protect your floors, as humidity may accumulate beneath the pot due to the volume of water this plant requires.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Leaf
The common name for this plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig, comes from the fact that the leaves are the size and shape of a fiddle.
Routine Maintenance
Always be sure to assess your plant’s watering needs upon receiving it. Before giving your plant a drink, it is best to check the moisture level in the soil first to ensure it isn’t moist right beneath the surface. Also, consider aerating the soil of your plant before the initial watering. Many growers compact the soil to avoid shifting during transit, so aerating can aid in drainage, help the soil breathe and allow moisture to be released.
The Fiddle Leaf Fig likes its soil to be kept consistently, evenly moist with a brief drying out period between watering as it comes from an area of the world that gets very dry between rain storms. Water it thoroughly whenever the top 2” of soil have dried. Allowing the soil to dry deep to the lower root system will lead to leaf loss, so be sure to check in with the soil regularly until you develop a routine with your plant. In contrast, too much moisture in the soil can lead to root rot and also cause leaves to drop.
The best way we have found to obtain an accurate moisture reading throughout the soil is with a soil probe, which allows you to check your plant’s moisture level at the root level and can also be used to aerate the soil if ever overwatered. Our Monitor Brass Soil Probe is an elegant option.
We highly recommend potting your Fiddle Leaf, as it is a challenging plant to keep alive long term in its nursery pot — however make sure to pot it in a permanent planter with plenty of soil mass and crucially, drainage. If your Fiddle Leaf Fig is planted in a container without a drainage hole, you must be very careful not to overwater. In this scenario we suggest allowing your Fiddle Leaf Fig to dry out slightly more between waterings and use a soil probe to see how damp the soil is at the root level before watering. These plants do particularly well in our self watering containers!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Ficus have a bacterial infection or root rot?
Probably not. Although the internet is ablaze with this diagnosis, we’ve found this affliction to be exceedingly rare in the thousands of Ficuses we’ve cared for through our sister company, Greenery NYC. It’s probably another problem such as low light or overwatering. However, we have a guide on how to identify fungal and bacterial leaf spotting if you’re interested in learning more.
Help! My Fiddle Leaf Fig dropped a leaf!
Ficus trees are sensitive to environmental change and transplanting. The dry, cold air is a big shift from the warm humidity of the greenhouse, and Ficus will temporarily go into shock and drop leaves. Don’t worry, this is a temporary state. It will take a couple of weeks for your tree to normalize and it might drop a couple of leaves in the process. However, if the leaves continue to drop it could be a sign of improper light or water.
My Fiddle Leaf Fig has brown spots and the leaves are dropping. What do I do?
The number one mistake most people make in taking care of their plants is overwatering. Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees prefer to dry out slightly between watering, and while they take a good deal of water to keep healthy, soggy soil will drown the plant. If your leaves start to brown and fall and the soil is moist, let the plant dry out until the soil becomes completely dry.
The second biggest mistake people make is not enough light. Fiddle Leafs need a lot of light to thrive and will start shedding their leaves if they’re not absorbing enough energy. If you’re unsure about where to put your plant, it’s best to place it by a window. For more information visit our lighting guide.
Under watering can also be a big killer of the fiddle leaf fig. When under watered, the rim of the leaves will start to brown and curl in, which will eventually spread throughout the leaf. Under watered leaves that have fallen will normally be either fully brown or mostly brown, and dry to the touch.
Brown fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata) leaf, due to over watering.Brown holes on a fiddle leaf fig leaf (Ficus lyrata) due to lack of light. LEFT: An example of overwatering on a dropped leaf. Note the browning spreading through the leaf’s veins from the central node (or midrib), a telltale sign that the plant has received excessive water. RIGHT: Brown spotting or holes in the leaves typically signal that the plant isn’t receiving enough light. This is common on the lower leaves of the tree, which can become shaded out over time.
How do I tell when my Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree needs water?
Once you’ve established that the top few inches of soil have dried, the easiest way to tell if your Fiddle Leaf needs water is to look at the leaves. If the leaves are not rigid and upright, and they start to look floppy, they’re telling you they need water. Be sure to check in regularly with your tree to ensure you don’t underwater until you establish a routine.
Underwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig / Ficus Lyrata before and afterAn underwatered Fiddle Leaf Fig tree on the left, and the same tree less than 24 hours later.
How much light is too much light for the Fiddle Leaf Fig?
Fiddle leaf fig sunburn.Sunburn on a Fiddle Leaf Fig’s leaves.
Fiddle Leaf Figs will generally do fine if placed right in front of a window in NYC. However, they can’t take extended periods of full sun (being placed outside on a sunny day). In extremely bright apartments (i.e. floor to ceiling windows) they may get sunburned, and in this instance your safest bet is putting them in front of the window with a sheer curtain. Do not block the light with a partial shade like a solar shade as they will block out the full spectrum of the sun’s radiation.
Can I put my Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree next to the AC / heater?
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees are tropical plants that appreciate a humid environment. If conditions are too dry they will drop their leaves. While Fiddle Leafs will thrive in an air conditioned apartment, always avoid putting them in the direct line of fire for either AC or heating units. If their leaves are wagging from the air, it’s best to find another spot.
How often should I fertilize my Fiddle Leaf Fig?
In general, house plants will thrive when they are fertilized spring through fall. Fertilize once a month with an organic houseplant fertilizer, following the package instructions for dilution and administration. Greenery NYC uses an organic potting mix with a slow release fertilizer in the soil, so your plant will not need fertilizer within the first 6 months of receiving it.
How often does my Fiddle Leaf Fig need to be repotted?
For larger floor plants, we suggest repotting every 18-24 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 2”- 4” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plants roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.
Millcreek is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, and is part of the Salt Lake City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population as of the 2020 Census was 63,380. Prior to its incorporation on December 28, 2016, Millcreek was a census-designated place (CDP) and township.
TruCo is a great company to work with for your commercial landscaping and snow removal needs! Rob is excellent to work with. He is very timely in providing quotes and has a lot of great feedback and suggestions to provide on what will look great, fit within your budget, and is knowledgeable on plants that will thrive with Utah's ever changing weather conditions. I have been impressed with TruCo's landscape maintenance as well as landscape projects which have had a quick turnaround time. I would highly recommend using TruCo!
I experienced excellent all around service from landscape improvement design, scheduling and professional installation completed within the timeline we discussed. Rob, the manager does an excellent job of communicating, overseeing the install crew and making sure his customers are 100% satisfied with the job. Highly recommend TruCo for all landscaping needs.
Michael the tree guy is so smart. He knows all about tree removal, cutting and tree trimming services. Truco did amazing work for me. We had 16 very old and mature trees removed. The Truco team showed up on time ready to get the job done. They did amazing with clean up truly respect your property and your life. Communication was really good. They needed to move some things to get the stump grinder to our yard they put things back with no issues. Extremely professional and truly know what they're doing. If anyone is looking for professional tree removal or tree service you really should call Jason or Michael at Truco.
We hired TruCo to do a new install of sprinklers, sod, spigot, and bury downspouts. We even have a wifi transmitter for our control box we can access from an app on our phones! We absolutely love the professionalism and quality of their work!! Our sales rep Pete was the best to work with, we highly recommend him to anyone in the market for landscaping. It was awesome seeing the finished results and we're incredibly excited to enjoy our new space!
TruCo installed all of our plants, trees and shrubs, drip lines, and boulders. Then they installed our amazing beautiful firepit. We loved the results and they guarantee all plants and trees up to a year. They were great and easy to work with. They listened to our needs and wants and met them 100%. Our HOA sent us a letter telling us they appreciate all the work and the way our yard looks and let us know we added value to the property. Win/Win
Bamboo Plants Care
Bamboo Plants Care
Care of Your Bamboo Plants
Bamboo is a very easy plant to care for, follow these tips and the planting guide and you will see the true beauty of what a bamboo grove can provide. New plants require some care to get established, but overtime can typically take care of itself.
Watering
This is the most important part. Watering will help establish your planting and produce better results. Over the next couple of weeks, daily watering is recommended. If your plant does begin to loose leaves, it may be just adjusting to its new home and sunlight conditions. Even under most all conditions, the bamboo will retain 70% of its leaves. After a period of time, it should put on new leaves to replace the ones it dropped during the transition. If any stress like defoliation is noticed increase watering times. Water is the key for health bamboo. During the hot summertime even established bamboo will roll their leaves to prevent transpiration. This is a neat characteristic of bamboo so, do not be alarmed to see your bamboo roll up its leaves. If you water it during very hot times that is great and will assist the bamboo during its growth. Once established, bamboo needs little care and normal rainfall is generally all that is needed. Watering daily if you have well drained soil is great! The only time you should not water, is when the bamboo is sitting in standing water. Remember the bamboo canes on your existing division are through growing. Most all the growth now will be under ground. Each spring new canes will emerge taller and larger in diameter each year until mature size for your species and climate zone are reached.
Fertilizers
The three numbers on fertilizers are important factors. The first number represents nitrogen. Nitrogen is the element for growth. The second number is phosphorus and it has to do with the transfer of carbohydrates. Carbs are essential for the bamboo to store nourishment in the rhizomes. The last number represents potassium and is necessary for photosynthesis. This is very important for the plant’s metabolism. Extra amounts of this element helps the bamboo to withstand drought, heat and cold.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo has been a staple in homes and Feng Shui for years. It’s a symbol of luck and prosperity making it a common gift and the perfect small house plant. Learn more about why this plant is so popular and how you can grow one of your own.
Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) – 2.5 suns out of 5. Three water drops out of five, temperature 65–95 degrees farenheit. Toxicity: harmful to cats and dogs.
Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is surprisingly not actually bamboo as its scientific name suggests: It’s part of the Dracaena genus. The lucky bamboo plant is from Southeast Asia and is well-known for its use in Feng Shui for over 5,000 years. In these practices, it is said to represent good luck and happiness, making it an ideal and popular gift in business and personal matters. Another factor that makes lucky bamboo so popular is its ability to be trained into shapes like a swirl, heart, braid and other designs. See the sections below for a more in-depth look at the symbolism of lucky bamboo and how to create different bamboo designs.
Lucky bamboo is an easy plant to care for which makes it great for offices and homes alike. It’s happy growing in soil or water but has the longest life when grown in soil. Because it’s a Dracaena, lucky bamboo care is more in line with Dracaena care as opposed to bamboo. If growing in water, it should be replaced every week. If planted in soil, the soil should be kept slightly damp, so don’t overwater or let it get dry. Lucky bamboo does best in indirect light and in the temperature range of 65–95°F (18–35°C). It loves these somewhat tropical conditions and is considered to be in the hardiness zones of 10–11.
Lucky Bamboo Care Tips
A shelving unit with a marble pot and bamboo inside and a white decorative jar and two dried flowers. The bottom shelf has two glass jars.
It’s fairly simple to learn how to care for lucky bamboo. We’ve included in-depth information on sunlight, water, temperature, toxicity, potting, propagation needs and common pests and problems. Our quick step-by-step bamboo care guide can be seen below:
Carefully remove any packaging and add rocks to your container to act as an anchor.
Place your bamboo in indirect sunlight.
Fill your container with enough water to cover the roots.
Lucky bamboo prefers a temperature range of 65–95°F (18–35°C).
Optional: use a liquid houseplant fertilizer every three to four weeks.
Remove any yellow leaves.
Repot the bamboo as its roots outgrow the container.
Sunlight With A Sun Symbol
Sunlight: Lucky bamboo requires moderate or indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight will scorch the leaves, so avoid placing your plant in front of a bright window. Scorched leaves look like how they sound: The edges of the leaves will have a brown tinge to them almost like they were burned by fire. If your leaves look a little scorched, move your bamboo to an area with less light.
Water With A Symbol Of A Water Drop
Water: If growing your plant in soil, make sure it’s kept slightly damp. Don’t let the soil get too dry and don’t overwater since that can lead to root rot. Bamboo does not need much water to survive, but it can be grown in water as well. If you choose to grow your bamboo in water, make sure the roots always stay covered with water. Replenish your lucky bamboo with fresh water every seven to 10 days to keep it happy and healthy.
Algae can form in the water, so try to clean out the container and change the water regularly (about once a week). Tap water is okay for the bamboo plant to drink, as long as chlorine levels are low. To be safe, leave tap water out overnight so the chlorine can evaporate before you use it to water your lucky bamboo.
If you have high levels of fluoride in your tap water, we recommend using filtered water, such as bottled water. Fluoride will not evaporate and is toxic to plants like lucky bamboo.
Temperature With A Thermometer Symbol
Temperatures: Lucky bamboo thrives in temperatures anywhere from 65–95°F (18–35°C), so it makes a great office or house plant. During colder months, be wary about leaving your plant near windows or other places with a cold draft.
Twisted bamboo in a glass jar on a living room coffee tablecopy: toxicity with a skull and cross bones symbol
Toxicity: Lucky bamboo is toxic for cats and dogs, so make sure to keep it out of reach. If consumed by your fur babies it can cause incoordination, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drooling and dilated pupils. Lucky bamboo is not toxic to humans, however.
Pests And Problems With A Symbol Of A Bug
Pests: Some common pests that affect lucky bamboo include mealybugs, mites and fungal infections. If you notice grey fuzz on your plant it could be a fungal infection, so remove the infected growth, keep the stalk and leaves dry, and increase air circulation. Mealybugs are small white insects that should be removed manually and with rubbing alcohol. Although mites (presented as white webbing or fuzz) don’t typically affect lucky bamboo, they can be caught by other household plants. They need to be eradicated with water and dish detergent.
Problems: Your lucky bamboo should be green, but if any part of the stem or leaves are yellow, this indicates your plant could be sick. Remove the yellow part of the stem or the leaves completely so it doesn’t spread to the rest of the plant.
Repotting And Propagation With A Symbol Of A Potted Plant
Repotting: How do you know when to repot your bamboo? You should repot once the roots become too tight in the container. Once you see the roots crowding, move the bamboo to a larger container. If your plant is growing in just water, simply move it to a new vase. If you’re using rocks, dump them out, place your plant in the new container (or trim back the roots to use the same container) and replace the rocks. If you’re using soil, dampen the soil, flip the plant with your hand on the stalks and soil to remove the plant, and move it to a larger pot.
Propagation: To propagate a lucky bamboo plant, first identify a healthy parent stalk (should have more than two bamboo segments) with an offshoot. Clip the offshoot from where it connects to the parent plant stalk and remove its bottom layer of leaves to create a new independent stalk. Place the new stalk in a small container of water and nurture the plant as you would a larger one. Repot as needed.
Lucky Bamboo Symbolism
Traditional Chinese bamboo in a gold pot with a red ribbon and a metal coin.
Lucky bamboo is a perfect option if you’re looking for a Feng Shui compatible plant. According to the Chinese practice, lucky bamboo is related to the five elements: Earth (pebbles in the container), wood (the plant itself), water (the water in the container), fire (the red ribbon often tied on the plant) and metal (the metal coin attached to the ribbon). Since the bamboo is hollow it’s said to be a great conductor of Chi energy. This allows wisdom and prosperity to flow through. The amount of stalks also has a big effect on the meaning of a particular lucky bamboo plant. They all have positive meanings except for four-stalk lucky bamboo, which is one you should avoid.
One stalk: represents unity and unobstructed flow of energy.
Two stalks: represents good luck in love (a great gift for a partner).
Three stalks: represents continued growth, birth and family.
Four stalks: represents death (avoid this plant, it is also considered a rude gift).
Five stalks: represents wealth, longevity, luck, happiness and prosperity.
Six stalks: represents wealth through opportunity and luck (great for businesses).
Seven stalks: represents health and personal growth.
Eight stalks: represents infinite energy and many blessings.
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the northern part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is approximately 45 miles (72 km) south of Salt Lake City.
TruCo is a great company to work with for your commercial landscaping and snow removal needs! Rob is excellent to work with. He is very timely in providing quotes and has a lot of great feedback and suggestions to provide on what will look great, fit within your budget, and is knowledgeable on plants that will thrive with Utah's ever changing weather conditions. I have been impressed with TruCo's landscape maintenance as well as landscape projects which have had a quick turnaround time. I would highly recommend using TruCo!
I experienced excellent all around service from landscape improvement design, scheduling and professional installation completed within the timeline we discussed. Rob, the manager does an excellent job of communicating, overseeing the install crew and making sure his customers are 100% satisfied with the job. Highly recommend TruCo for all landscaping needs.
Michael the tree guy is so smart. He knows all about tree removal, cutting and tree trimming services. Truco did amazing work for me. We had 16 very old and mature trees removed. The Truco team showed up on time ready to get the job done. They did amazing with clean up truly respect your property and your life. Communication was really good. They needed to move some things to get the stump grinder to our yard they put things back with no issues. Extremely professional and truly know what they're doing. If anyone is looking for professional tree removal or tree service you really should call Jason or Michael at Truco.
We hired TruCo to do a new install of sprinklers, sod, spigot, and bury downspouts. We even have a wifi transmitter for our control box we can access from an app on our phones! We absolutely love the professionalism and quality of their work!! Our sales rep Pete was the best to work with, we highly recommend him to anyone in the market for landscaping. It was awesome seeing the finished results and we're incredibly excited to enjoy our new space!
TruCo installed all of our plants, trees and shrubs, drip lines, and boulders. Then they installed our amazing beautiful firepit. We loved the results and they guarantee all plants and trees up to a year. They were great and easy to work with. They listened to our needs and wants and met them 100%. Our HOA sent us a letter telling us they appreciate all the work and the way our yard looks and let us know we added value to the property. Win/Win