Category Archives: News

We’ve all heard that April showers bring May flowers, but did you know that April also brings Arbor Day? In Minnesota and most of the U.S., Arbor Day is celebrated the last Friday in April.

Maier Tree and Lawn is proud to be one of the 2015 sponsors of the 13^th annual Arbor Day Celebration. The festivities will be held on Friday, April 24^th at Silver Lake Park from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. The celebration will include live music, games and free trees (while supplies last) to name just a few of the special activities.

Why all the celebration, and when did it all start? The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Spain in 1805 to promote what trees do for us. On that day a ceremonial poplar tree was planted followed by a feast and dancing, all to promote the abundance of benefits we get from trees.

In the United States, Arbor Day became official in 1872 when J. Sterling Morton declared April 10^th as Arbor Day in Nebraska. The day was commemorated by the planting of over one million trees! By the 1920s, Arbor Day was being celebrated in all 48 states.

Thanks to Arbor Day, there is worldwide awareness of the importance of trees, and planting trees is encouraged. When you consider everything trees do for us, it makes sense to set aside one day a year to recognize and value their importance. As Arbor Day is celebrated here and around the world, it makes it easy and fun to plant trees.

When you’re walking around in one of Southeast Minnesota’s many parks and forests, or going for a walk through your neighborhood, take special notice of the trees around you. They clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen, provide habitat for birds and squirrels, supply us with cooling shade and nourish the soil with their fallen leaves. We owe a lot to trees. And it’s just possible some of those trees are there because someone took the time to celebrate Arbor Day by planting them.

Trees are a vital part of our environment, and Maier Tree and Lawn is committed to keeping our trees healthy and growing. When you have a question about the health of a tree or need information about the best location or method of planting a tree, contact Maier Tree and Lawn. In Rochester, call us at 507-286-8733, and in Winona you can reach us at 507-454-7000.

Rochester and Winona Landscape Care by Maier Tree & Lawn

With one winter storm after another, it’s easy to find yourself dreaming of spring. Can you picture it? The early morning serenade of twittering and chirping birds, the smell of fresh rainfall upon a warm gentle breeze, perennial bulbs pushing up shoots like tiny little green arms raised in a final yawn to shrug away the slumber of winter…it’s not too far off! Here’s the thing: You don’t have to just dream about spring. You can be actively pursuing those beautiful spring days even now. How you treat your landscape now during the “off season” will have a lasting effect the rest of the year. To start spring off right, seek professional landscape care in Winona and Rochester, MN, with Maier Tree & Lawn today!

As you anticipate the snowmelt, there are a few things you can get in order now to get a jump on spring lawn care later:
• As ground conditions permit, rake up leaves leftover from the fall and any added debris from the long winter such as twigs and rocks.
• If your lawn has been compacted by heavy snow, consider professional aerating to allow for more growth with the increase of air, moisture, and nutrients.
• To improve your tree growth, consider deep root fertilization in the spring.
• Seek tree care services and advice about pruning.

Making sure your landscape is in tip-top shape can be quite the burden, especially if it needs extra TLC after this harsh winter. Maier Tree & Lawn employs true professionals along with the best systems and products available to boost the health of your landscape with proper care, you can enjoy your beautiful yard from spring’s first greening to winter’s first flakes. Call Maier Tree & Lawn to set up regular landscape maintenance services in Winona and Rochester, MN. Spring will be here in no time, and by being prepared, you’ll be able to spend less time worrying about your yard and more time playing fetch with your dog or running laps with your children. It’s your yard – go out and enjoy it!

Lawn Care Services in Rochester, MN by Maier Tree & Lawn

Lawns in Rochester and Winona, Minnesota go dormant during the winter. With the snow covering the ground and ice on the walkways, it’s hard to imagine any living organism surviving under those cold layers of white fluff. Lawns still thrive though, and interact very much with what is happening above the snowy layer that sits on top of them. It is important to be aware of what is happening to your lawn during the winter months to prevent damage once spring arrives and the snow starts to melt. Maier Tree & Lawn in Rochester, MN offers a few helpful lawn care hints to keep your yard safe from chilly threats during the winter.

Keep heavy traffic to a minimum. We are all guilty of packing down snow in a path to get to the garage, tool shed, or even the door. However, concentrated traffic can have severe effects on your lawn. Be careful with your dormant grass, or it may not green up in the spring as well as the rest of your lawn.

Keep salt on the sidewalks. Rock salt can cause severe damage to your dormant lawn. Make sure you apply ice melting agents only to manmade walkways such as sidewalks and driveways. Be conscious of where you throw your shovels full of snow and ice as well, as you may throw it onto your lawn after salting an icy walkway and unintentionally damage your grass.

Change traffic patterns to prevent ice and snow mold. Southeast Minnesota residents are no stranger to heavy snowfall. One of the most unfortunate events is when ice begins to form under those inches of fresh snow. This creates the perfect environment for snow mold to grow. To prevent snow mold from bothering you in the spring, try changing your traffic patterns. By varying your routes you can prevent some of the compaction and give the area a chance to breath.

Make plans for the spring. Winter is a great time to start working on your lawn care plan for next spring. The plants in your yard are down to their bare bones, so you can see which trees and shrubs need pruning. Spring is also a great time to start over or add something new to your yard. To make planning a little more enjoyable as you stare out the window at your snow covered yard, try hanging a birdfeeder and fill it with your favorite local bird food.

Now is also a great time to contact Maier Tree & Lawn about our annual Lawn Care Service Packages. We offer programs that are completely customized to your lawn to ensure it grows to its full potential. With our expertise and complete lawn analysis, you can be sure your lawn is in the right hands this spring.

Christmas trees aren’t the only thing we do all winter. We also prune and remove trees, clean up wooded lots, and more. What most people don’t realize is that winter is a GREAT time to do these things for the health and benefit of the trees or forest.