Palm Trees

Palm TreesDecember 16, 2010
Palm trees are quite common at our vacation home.  I love them!  They are rather majestic looking.  We will be shopping for palm trees our next trip to our vacation home.  To my understanding palm trees are not without problems though.  The first problem we discovered is they attract palmetto bugs.  These huge and rather ugly bugs also known as the American cockroach

Palm Trees

Palm TreeOctober 7, 2010
Palm trees are very popular where our vacation home is.  They are rather problem free, tolerating the heat and humidity well.  Pictured is one of the palm trees near our vacation home.  Now palms actually come with one itsy, bitsy problem.  They attract palmetto bugs aka American cockroach.  I am not impressed with palmetto bugs at all even though I know they don't bite

Politically Incorrect Trees

Over the years certain trees were favoured for quick shade or aesthetics.  However, some of these trees are no longer considered eco-friendly.  Rather than planting one of the trees listed consider planting a more appropriate tree for your planting zone.  If you already have one of the trees listed on your property consider replacing it with a more appropriate tree.Norway maple (Acer platanoides)

Windbreaks

In rural communities, windbreaks are a common scene and for good reason. They slow the wind down or prevent prevailing winter winds from hitting your house directly saving valuable heating dollars. In the summer they slow or prevent soil erosion. In the heat of the summer deciduous windbreaks help to cool winds before they reach your house. Some windbreaks provide a habitat for small birds

Purple Martin House

Purple Martin HouseThe Purple Martin (Progne subis) is a member of the swallow family. It is a medium sized, migratory song bird much desired in gardens. The male is entirely a glossy dark, purplish black sheen while the female is purplish black with a duller sheen and lighter underpants. Several Purple Martins will nest in a multi-compartmented birdhouse much like a bird condo building. They