BigTreeSupply.com: How Trees Grow

By Nancy Penrose

All trees have a special type of plant tissue called meristem, a Greek word meaning “to divide”. The word was first used by Swiss botanist Carl Wilhem von Nageli (1817 to 1891). Trees grow when the cells within the meristem divide and produce new cells.

Meristem can be found at the tips of roots (root apical meristem) and shoots (shoot apical meristem). Root meristem creates root growth and shoot meristem produces more stem tissue, leaves and flowers. The trunk of a tree grows from another type of meristem called vascular cambium.

Trees only grow in height and width. A tree grows taller when new shoot meristem is produced at the tip of the twigs. Tree trunks and branches increase in diameter when vascular meristem cells divide beneath the bark.

A tree’s roots also grow at their tips. The root anchors the tree in the soil to keep it straight and stable. Tree roots also absorb water and nutrients from the soil, that are needed for growth.

Many trees start as a seed. The seed sprouts when there is sufficient water, light and warmth. A shoot goes up and a root goes down. There are also trees that start as shoots from the still living roots of a dead tree.

The tree continues growing by making its own food through a process called photosynthesis. It uses chlorophyll (green pigment) to capture energy from the sun. The energy is used to make sugars out of carbon dioxide from the air and water. The sugars (glucose) provide the fuel trees need to continue growing their roots, stems and leaves.

Young trees need sufficient water to maintain their growth. Mulching can help keep the soil around the tree moist and prevent weeds from growing. Use tree root stimulants for newly planted or transplanted big trees to help them recover more quickly from the stress of a move.

If you’re planning on buying a new tree, you can get more tree growing tips and advice from a big tree specialists at Big Trees Inc.


Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Seattle / Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about the care you can receive from our tree specialist at http://bigtreesupply.com/customers-speak/. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEP1vudflm0 and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Big Trees Inc. Transplants Two Large Native Willow Trees

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree sales and transplant company, was asked by a general contractor to transplant two large, native Willow trees to a property being developed in Redmond, WA. The trees were part of a tree canopy mitigation with the City of Redmond.

Big Trees started the project a number of weeks after their first discussion with the general contractor, and began preparing to lift the 35-foot to 40-foot tall Willows. These Willows will offer a significant amount of branches and leaves to the southeast corner of the property, creating privacy and character.

The Big Trees crews spent two days digging the trees’ root systems and binding them tight with burlap, heavy rope and stretch wrap plastic. Once the root balls were ready, Big Trees applied some of their largest rigging straps to these root balls for the track hoe to connect to and lift the trees across the property to their new homes.

Todd Holmes, Operations Manager at Big Trees, mentioned: “It’s always exciting to see just how these larger trees break free from their original positions, considering how long they’ve been growing in those places before we’re asked to move them around. These big guys have to weigh around 12-15,000 pounds each, and luckily our monster 40-foot long, 24-inch wide straps are able to get them airborne and moved onto safer land!”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

BigTreeSupply.com: Landscaping with Fir Trees

By Nancy Penrose

The fir tree is an evergreen coniferous that can be found throughout North and Central America, Europe, North Africa and Asia. The tree is a member of the Pinaceae family and Abies genus.

Firs are considered large trees, with some reaching heights of over 200 feet. They have needle-like leaves and cones. The leaves (needles) look like they have been pressed, and are attached to a twig with a base that has the appearance of a tiny suction cup. Fir cones stand up like candles instead of hanging. They are long and fall apart at maturity to release their seeds. The cones are usually green when immature, and brown at maturity.

There are over 50 different species of firs. Several are used as Christmas trees because of their scent and needle retention. Some of the more popular firs include the Nordmann fir, Frasier fir, noble fir, grand fir and Korean fir.

The Nordmann fir (Albies nordmanniana) is named after Alexander von Nordmann, a Finnish zoologist. The tree’s cones are blue-green before they mature. Nordmann firs usually grow between 40 and 80 feet tall. Nordmann firs are native to Turkey, Russia, Armenia and Georgia.

The Frasier fir (Abies fraseri), named after Scottish botanist John Frasier, is native to the Eastern United States. Frasier firs can grow up to 60 feet tall.

Noble firs (Abies procera) are the tallest firs. They can grow up to 240’ tall. The tree is native to Washington, Oregon and northwest California.

The alpine fir (Albies lasiocarpa) is native to western North America. It is a medium-sized fir that grows around 60 feet tall. As the tree matures, its grey bark changes from smooth to rough, and its resin blisters become fissured.

The grand fir (Albies grandis) is known by many names, including the Oregon fir, great silver fir, western white fir, balsam fir and great fir. The grand fir is one of the fastest growing fir trees and also extremely tall when it reaches maturity. The average height of a grand fir is 100 feet, but some trees can grow as tall as 300 feet.

Korean firs (Abies koreana) are one of the smaller fir trees. They range in height from 15 to 30 feet, and grow very slowly. Korean firs have blue or purple cones that appear in late spring.

Give us a call if you’re planning on buying a fir tree or big trees for your property. Our big tree specialist can help you pick the best fir for your growing environment.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about large trees for sale at our tree nursery http://bigtreesupply.com/sales-inventory/nursery-trees-inventory/ and for more tips on conifer trees go to nurserytrees.net. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6vVhNW1XJI and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Big Trees Inc. Ships Large Trees into Canada to Complete Significant Residential Project

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree sales and transplant company, was contacted to provide a shipment of tall, full Excelsa Cedar trees to Canada. After researching the logistics of international shipping, Big Trees received approval for the process.

Big Trees prepared 12 large Excelsa Cedars for handling and shipping in container trucks, and began the process of loading out the trucks to head to the border. The trees were 22 feet tall and weighed 4,000 to 5,000 pounds each. Once the trees crossed the border and were onsite, they were unloaded and placed with a crane into the property in strategic locations for a screening effort.

Todd Holmes, Operations Manager at Big Trees, mentioned: “Sending large trees over any distance can become problematic. From the build of a large root ball starting to sag as it bounces down the highway, to how the trees are protected from any wind exposure. There are lots of ways for things to get compromised and for the receiving team to get trees they can’t work with. Our crews have been honing many techniques for these unusual, living freight efforts, and it’s a thrill to know things all went as planned from the front office to the last tree being unloaded and planted into the landscape.

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

BigTreeSupply.com: How to Protect Trees from Construction

By Nancy Penrose

Trees are an important part of any home landscape as they provide shade in the summer and shield against the wind and snow during the winter months. The leaves clean out the dust and pollutants from the air and add shelter to wildlife. Not to mention, they add beauty and value to a community.
Unfortunately, trees are often damaged during construction and may even die shortly after construction has been completed. This causes the homeowner to remove and replace the damaged trees, which adds expense and time. It’s important to protect trees from construction as much as possible, for both the trees’ and homeowner’s sake.

Types of Construction Damage

There are a couple of types of construction damage and when trees aren’t taken care of during construction, the following can occur:

• Environmental changes, such as soil compaction or equipment driving over roots, due to the construction site.
• Physical wounds due to careless use of construction equipment. While trees can repair small injuries, they have a harder time and become stressed with larger wounds.

Protecting Trees During Construction

The very first thing one should do to protect trees during construction is to determine which trees should be saved and prioritize those trees. Trees that are undesirable or already in a state of decline can be marked for removal. But for trees that you want to keep, which will probably be the majority, protecting the roots is very critical. By putting a fence around the tree to prevent construction crews from accidentally damaging the roots or the upper part of the tree, one can ensure these trees will remain healthy. Or if necessary, a tree specialist could help with moving trees out of the construction area.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on big trees care or installation go to arboristblog.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEP1vudflm0 and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Big Trees Inc. Helps with a Significant Tree Screening Project

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree sales nursery and transplant company, was approached by a new client to help with a significant tree screening project, and plans have been made to help insulate their property from a large scale development.

A customer came to Big Trees in a state of disbelief that their home’s privacy would soon be compromised by a significant development that is set to break ground by the end of Summer 2017. Their property has been sheltered by a forest to the east of their backyard since they purchased their property a decade ago. The customer was given notice of the upcoming development and soon realized that their 6-foot tall fence was all that would remain between them and the noise and construction. This lead them to come to Big Trees, desperate for a solution for this calamity in their home lives. To help the customer gain back their privacy, Big Trees will be planting around nine large Excelsa Cedar trees on an elevated berm that will help to add even more height and privacy.

Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, mentioned: “Anytime we get to make such a dramatic enhancement to a property, with these kind of large trees, it’s a rewarding and unbelievable process. Even our well accomplished crew members will stand back and take it in. Watching the undesirable view disappear with each new tree placement is a very, very satisfying series of events.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

BigTreeSupply.com: Trees and Soil Types

By Nancy Penrose

Trees get their water and nutrients from soil, which is made up of minerals and organic materials like leaves, plants and insects. Soil is one of the main factors that influence a tree’s health and growth.

There are six basic types of soil: clay, sandy, silty, loamy, chalky and peaty.

Clay soil is sticky when wet and hard when dry. There are very few air spaces between the particles that make up the clay. Because the particles are so close together, the soil drains more slowly and nutrients are retained longer. Trees that grow well in clay soil include the white pine, Norway spruce, white cedar, red maples, poplar, European larch and white ash.

Sandy soil has the largest particles of all the different types of soil. It feels dry and gritty. Water will drain quickly in sandy soil, which means nutrients will pass through the soil faster. There are several trees that will grow well in sandy soil, like the red oak, white cedar, poplar, Scotch pine, white pine, red pine and European larch.

The particles in silty soil are smaller than sandy soil and retain more moisture. Silty soil has a smooth texture that is formed by fine sediments and compacts fairly easily.

Loamy soil is a mixture of clay, sand and silty particles. It retains both moisture and nutrients, and is one of the best soils for growing plants. Loamy soil is a good growing environment for the red oak, white and green ash, sugar and red maple, white cedar, European larch, Norway spruce, white spruce and poplar.

Chalky (lime-rich) soils are extremely alkaline and drain rapidly.

Peaty soil, which is made up of partially decomposed organic matter, is acidic. It retains water but contains fewer nutrients than loamy soils.

A big tree specialist can tell you what types of trees are a good match for your planting environment. With expert advice, the tree you purchase and plant will thrive.


Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Seattle / Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree selection at http://bigtreesupply.com/sales-inventory/and for more tips on big trees care or installation go to arboristblog.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6vVhNW1XJI and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Big Trees Inc. Assists Homeowner with Difficult View Screening Situation

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a large tree nursery and tree transplant company, was asked to replace a large plant in a difficult to reach area of the client’s property.

The client’s neighbors opened up a large view corridor between the client’s windows by removing an existing hedge on their side of the fence line. Wanting a solution immediately, the client contacted Big Trees. One aspect of the project was to find a plant large enough to replace the previous hedge. The second aspect was the access into the backyard was too small for the needed equipment to handle a larger plant.

Big Trees found a larger Portugal Laurel in their nursery that fit all of the specifications needed to fill the new void. The next challenge was to figure out how to get the 3,000-pound Laurel into the backyard. After going through different options, it was decided to hire a crane and send the tree up and over the house. When the day came for the project, the crane was set up and moved the Laurel, over the house, as close to its new planting hole as possible. Once released from the crane, the Big Trees crew physically dragged the plant to its new home. The clients were thrilled to regain the privacy they desired.

Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, stated, “The satisfaction we experience in situations like this never gets old for us. Some of our clients we may only work for once, and we get to make such a difference in their lives and gardens. The inside thrill for us is getting to see so many of these projects work and turn out in a wonderful fashion, and getting this similar thrill and enjoyment routinely! It’s a great feeling!”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc. Saves Large Ornamental Trees from a Corporate Campus

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreessupply.com/), a tree sales and transplant company in Washington State, was asked to salvage a number of large ornamental trees from a corporate campus while the property undergoes renovations.
Big Trees was contacted a year ago regarding a large scale, waterfront project. Initially, they were consulted to salvage trees that were not reusable. However, as the project continued to develop, Big Trees was asked to offer their services again by saving and reusing a large number of specimen trees, which were reusable. These 50 trees were comprised of Japanese Maple, Styrax Snowball trees and Magnolias.
In looking through the pricing options for these varieties of trees, Big Trees and the project managers of the campus renovation came to realize these trees could be salvaged and re-installed back into the new landscape for half the price of a similar sized new tree purchase. Knowing they made the correct decision, Big Trees began removing the trees. After three weeks, these trees were carefully dug, root balled and loaded from their original positions onto long flatbed truck and trailers, and were then hauled to Big Trees’ nursery. The trees will be returned at the end of the two-year renovation project.
Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, expressed her excitement: “This was a very substantial extraction and storage project for our company, and it will be a significant re-installation effort again in a few years. When looking at the massive savings over purchasing similar sized trees before any shipping and handling, it’s hard not to be thrilled with this equation; everybody wins, especially those beautiful older trees!”
Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreessupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

BigTreeSupply.com: Washington State Pine Trees

By Nancy Penrose
A pine tree is one of the most common coniferous trees in the world. Like all conifer trees, it is evergreen, bears woody cones and produces resin (the word “pine” is derived from Indo-European “pit” which means “resin”).
Pines live a long time, with some reaching ages of more than 1,000 years. The tree’s leaves, which range in color from blue to dark green, are long and needle-like. The needles will remain on the tree for a couple of years. When the older needles drop off, they are replaced with new ones. The needles can range in size from 1 to 11 inches long. They will usually grow in bundles of two to five needles.
The pine tree’s cones are both male and female. Female cones are seed producers, and male cones drop the pollen that fertilizes the seeds. Male cones are generally small and only appear on the pine for a short period of time.
Pine trees secrete resin to seal wounds, which helps protect the tree from infections and insects. The resin also prevents fungus and decay.
There are approximately 100 different species of pines. Washington State pine trees include the lodgepole pine, whitebark pine, ponderosa pine and Western white pine.
Lodgepole pines can be found in both coastal and mountain regions. Some species of lodgepole pines are shrubs. Trees can grow up to 160 feet high.
The whitebark pine, also known as the Scrub Pine, Creeping Pine and Pitch Pine, is grows at high elevations to almost 90 feet in height.
The ponderosa pine can reach heights of over 200 feet. The tree’s cones grow up to six inches long and its needles up to11 inches long.
The Western white pine, which can grow over 200 feet tall, has blue-green needles grouped in clusters of five. The tree’s cone is long, slender and large - up to 15 inches in length. Western white pines can be found at sea level to around 7,000 feet in elevation.
Pines can be used for both residential and commercial landscaping trees. If you are planning on buying a pine tree, contact our big tree specialist. You’ll get expert advice and assistance.
Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Seattle / Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on big trees care or installation go to snohomishbigtrees.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULejKnh2MYY and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

BigTreeSupply.com: Mulching Tips for Spring

by Nancy Penrose

Mulching is one of the easiest ways to keep your trees healthy, and an important part of spring tree maintenance.

Mulch helps protect plant roots from the sun. It will also keep the soil cooler for a longer period of time, which means your trees won’t leave their winter dormancy too early.

Mulching also keeps soil from drying out too quickly. By conserving moisture, the need for water is also reduced.

Other benefits of mulching include protecting the soil from erosion and preventing the growth of weeds.

As the mulch begins to decompose, it will release organic material (nutrients) which creates food and shelter for beneficial soil organisms like earthworms.

Many different types of materials can be used for mulching, such as wood chips, shredded bark, straw, pine needles, peat moss, grass clippings, compost, cardboard, newspaper and manure. There are also non-organic mulching materials such as plastic sheeting.

Mulch is typically spread in a two to six inch layer around the tree. Before mulching, remove any grass within a 3 to 10 foot area at the base of the tree depending on its size. Spread the layer evenly, making sure it doesn’t touch the tree trunk. Always remove any mulch that ends up on your grass, or the grass underneath it will die.

Any older, thick and matted mulch may need to be raked to ensure water and air can pass through to the tree’s root system.

Mulch that contains a large amount of nitrogen will need to be rotated. Without rotation, decomposition will occur at a faster rate. The decay can change the woodsy aroma of the mulch to a sour smell of ammonia, vinegar and sulfur. The smell will dissipate once the mulch is exposed to air, but if it’s placed on the soil before the dissipation occurs, it can kill the tree.

To avoid costly mistakes, get more tips on mulching from a big tree specialist.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Seattle / Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on big trees care or installation go to snohomishbigtrees.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULejKnh2MYY and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Big Trees Inc. Transplants 30 Foot Western Red Cedar Tree

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees, Inc. (http://bigtreessupply.com/), a large tree nursery and tree transplant company in the Seattle area, has transplanted a 30-foot Western Red Cedar tree onto the greens of a local, prominent country club.

Big Trees was contacted a year ago to evaluate the feasibility of transplanting the large Cedar to provide a way to block erratic golf balls that would occasionally come into a high traffic area. The Cedar was hand dug into a 12,000-pound root ball in one day, and tightened into a lift-able load with shrink wrap, burlap and rope. Afterwards, the receiving hole was dug with a tractor and made to match the necessary dimensions for the tree to be set in place with a large crane.

The next morning, the Cedar was rigged with a large 800-pound chain around the base of the root ball, and the tree was lifted vertically out of the hole and swung to its new location. The tree was then gently lowered and checked for height and lean of the tree as it touched down. Once all were satisfied with the appearance of the tree, it was detached from the rigging, and the final planting began.

Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, stated, “When our tree transplanting services are utilized on a golf course, the benefits are usually twofold; a beautiful tree is saved, and something gets protected from the off target shots all of us are hoping to avoid when we’re out on the fairways. Another beautiful Cedar tree gets a new home, and everyone is happy!”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

Big Trees Inc. Transplants a Large Camellia Tree

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc. (http://bigtreesupply.com), a large tree nursery in the Seattle area, recently participated in the protection and transplanting of a very old type of tree, a Camellia. The tree was in the way of a demolition and building project and would have been destroyed, but it has been safely relocated to another part of the property and will continue to provide shade and blooms for many years to come.

Big Trees Supply was approached by a builder in January who wanted to start demolition on a property in order to make way for a new construction project. However, the problem was that there was a 20’ tall Camellia tree that has been growing next to the foundation of a house on the property, and is estimated to be 40+ years old. The new owner of the property was reluctant to destroy the Camellia tree due to the building project, and asked their contractor to look into the possibility of having the tree transplanted to another part of the property. The contractor contacted Big Trees, and in spite of the tight timeline, Big Trees began discussions of what could be done to save the tree by transplanting it to a new location.

It became clear to the Big Trees staff that the Camellia tree was very close to the home’s foundation, and that the entire house, including the foundation wall, would have to be carefully dismantled and pulled away from the Camellia if it would have a chance of getting dug out and root balled correctly. The day for the project was coordinated with the demolition contractor.

Once the root ball was tightly wrapped in a well-built system of plastic wrap, burlap, and rope, the crew fastened and rigged the tree to large excavator on-site and lifted and moved the tree to its new home on another part of the property.

Nancy Penrose, the owner of Big Trees, stated “It’s a wonderful pleasure to participate in salvaging some of these old trees and shrubs in our changing neighborhoods. Many people look forward to these blooming trees each year, and there can be unpleasant blowback from a community when a beautiful tree is eliminated from a property. On the other hand, when a tree like this is saved, the owners of that project receive a significant amount of praise and welcoming that is sometimes a little unexpected! It’s a terrific process for all involved.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.

BigTreeSupply.com: Monitoring the Growth of Your Tree

By Nancy Penrose

Monitoring the growth of your trees will help keep them healthy and thriving. Here are some of the different stages of tree growth:

Starting life as a seed. If your tree has been planted as a seed, the first thing you will see as it grows is a short stem. At this early stage of life, most of the tree’s energy will be used to continue growing.

Young trees. Most young trees are small, thin and extremely vulnerable. They will need protection and space to grow. The growth will usually occur around the canopy and root system, with branches becoming longer. Young trees will need very little, if any, pruning.

Established trees. When a tree establishes itself, it will start growing at a faster pace. Established trees are more capable of protecting themselves against disease, illnesses and pests. Pruning during this period will ensure a good branch structure.

Saplings. Trees that have grown several feet in height with a declining growth rate are called saplings. They will usually have a trunk that is a foot or less in diameter.

Mature trees. Mature trees have strong branches with a large amount of foliage. Tree limbs will keep growing, but not as quickly. Mature trees also have the most strength and can reproduce.

Later stages of maturity. Many trees, during late stages of maturity, will start developing flat-topped canopies. The tree’s energy will decrease and major limbs may start to die. Seed production will also decline. Pruning can help maintain tree health, but over-pruning can cause damage and make the tree less resistant to disease and pests.

End stages of maturity. During the final stages of life, it will become more difficult for a tree to protect itself against pest infestations and tree disease. You will also see more limbs dying and breaking off. The trunks will also become hollow.

How long a tree lives will depend on its general health, maintenance and various environmental factors.

Any dead trees on your property should be removed by a big tree specialist or tree arborist who has the proper tree removal equipment.


Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplanting tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on big trees care or installation go to nurserytrees.net. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6vVhNW1XJI and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Big Trees Establishes Privacy for Mill Creek, Washington Property

SEATTLE, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree transplant and tree nursery company in the Seattle area, was recently involved in a project to enhance the privacy of a property in Mill Creek, Washington (in Puget Sound) with Emerald Green Arborvitaes trees.

When Big Trees was asked to help establish privacy to the property in Mill Creek, luckily Big Trees had just the right larger privacy trees for their needs.

After the client visited Big Trees’ nursery and became familiar with their inventory, they selected the Emerald Green Arborvitae for their situation. While these privacy trees are regularly used in screens through the western Washington area, it is unusual to find them in the larger sizes Big Trees offers. Once measurements of the screening effort were taken, it was determined that 13 of these trees were needed. The client felt that 12’-13’ tall Emeralds would be their choice for this project.

Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, stated “The access to the property was limited and wouldn’t allow for a tractor to carry the 400 pound Emerald Green Arborvitaes to their location. But our crews are very capable and we came up with alternative methods to manage getting the trees to the proper location. This process involved plywood planking to mitigate the wet, squishy terrain, and a sturdy ball cart that can handle the significant weight of some of our privacy trees when conditions allow. The trees were planted into the row, and the client was thrilled with the results. The undesirable view was changed to the green. These clients were pretty surprised to have this option available to them. They were ready to settle for smaller trees and having to wait years and years for the result they got with our inventory in a day! It’s always fun to see the changes we can provide for people.”

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), one of the largest Seattle tree nurseries, (see Big Trees planting services page at http://bigtreesupply.com/planting-service/), specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. For more tips on tree installation or care go to arboristblog.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEP1vudflm0 and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

BigTreeSupply.com: Preventing Tree Damage During a Storm

By Nancy Penrose

Trees can become damaged by wind, ice and snow. A severe storm can break branches, rip a tree apart or even topple it. When big trees come down during harsh weather, they can cause significant property damage and even serious injury.

There are many preventative actions you can take to prevent or minimize storm damage. To start with, give your trees adequate room to grow. This includes sufficient space for the trunk and branches, as well as the roots. Trees that have strong trunks and branches, and a healthy, robust root system, are less likely to break or fall over during a storm.

If you are planting a young tree, protect its roots with mulching and by keeping foot traffic away from the area. Remove tree stakes as soon as possible so the young tree can build up strength by flexing in the wind.

Planting several trees or moving trees to the same location can also make them more resistant to storm damage. As the roots of the tree grow, they will start to interlock, which will increase the tree’s strength and stability.

Also make sure you regularly inspect your tree for any signs of decay or tree disease. Although decay is a natural process of degradation, decaying tree tissue is relatively weak. Keep an eye out for any leaning trees or trees with low hanging branches or cracks, which can increase the chances of damage or uprooting during a storm.

Issues like these can often be corrected with cables, braces and better or more frequent pruning. Regular pruning will prevent the tree’s canopy from becoming too heavy, and reduce wind resistance. Removing dead wood and weak limbs will stop branches from being torn from the tree during severe weather condition.

Still have questions about tree protection? Ask our big tree arborist or tree specialist for tips and advice. We’ll show you to keep your trees healthy, strong and storm-resistant.

Nancy Penrose is owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), (tree nursery Snohomish, WA), one of the largest Seattle tree nurserys, specializing in large trees for sale and transplant tree service. Learn more about tree preservation at http://bigtreesupply.com/tree-care-maintenance/ and for more tips on big trees care or installation go to arboristblog.com. See our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEP1vudflm0 and connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Trees-Inc/193731105108

Big Trees Inc. Hired For Tree Transplanting in Redmond, WA

SNOHOMISH, WA: Big Trees Inc., (http://bigtreesupply.com/), a tree transplant and tree nursery company in the Seattle area, has been hired to move and transplant some large trees on a property being developed in Redmond, WA. The trees are currently in the footprint of a large planned apartment development, and once they have been moved to another area of the property, will add peace and tranquility to the property for decades to come.

The property was a former homestead, and two of the large trees are unique. One is a large Japanese Maple, and the other is an unusual variety of Pine. There are also three Douglas Fir trees that are in the 30” tall height range. All five of the trees will be moved to a part of the property that will become a play area, and the tree transplants will provide some shade to the trails surrounding this social area.

The company’s 90” Big John tree spade will be used to dig, transport, and set the trees into their new locations. Additionally, Big Trees is going to be digging and turning the soil from the receiving location, which will help with these trees adjust to their new location. With the soil loosened up, the trees will be able to grow new roots out into the surrounding areas with greater ease and they will have better access to nutrients and hydration.

Nancy Penrose, owner of Big Trees, stated “Having an opportunity to move these special trees out of harm’s way and into a location where they will continue to be appreciated is such a fun process to be part of. We’re looking forward to stopping in on these trees in the years to come, and seeing them look like they’ve always been in these locations.”

Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc. (http://www.bigtreesupply.com), located in Snohomish, WA, in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only can deliver young trees but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at http://www.bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/