Green Marketing vs. Green Care

Suddenly everyone is concerned about being green--and that’s a good thing. It’s long since time we all paid more attention to the environment.

But what does “green” mean exactly? What is a green approach to caring for your plants and trees? No chemicals? It’s a bit more subtle than that.

Hartney Greymont has been developing its green protocol for more than 20 years. Based on direct observation in thousands of cases, we’ve arrived at what we believe is the optimal balance of natural and man-made compounds.

The fact is that a few chemicals, applied in minimal amounts, are essential for protecting the health of your trees, plants and lawn. Specific conditions call for different measures but, on average, the content of our protocol is at least 80% organic.

It’s important to remember that adopting a green approach means more than simply abstaining from certain harmful practices. Attuning yourself to what’s healthiest for your trees and plants is also part of being green.

Here’s a good example. Almost everyone is familiar with the practice of applying mulch to shrub beds and around trees; it’s attractive and helps control weeds. However, few realize that most mulch is much less effective than it could be. We recommend mulches derived from woodchips. That is, mulch produced from limbs, twigs, and leaves; not just bark.

The coarse structure of wood chips allows for greater air and water percolation than more fine- textured mulches. Wood chip mulches also decompose faster than bark mulch, releasing nutrients for plant growth and improving soil quality. Earthworm and fungal activity also increases, improving the effectiveness of root systems.

We create our 'Yard Life' mulch from carefully screened tree residue byproducts. Research has shown that this type of mulch closely matches the organic layer of the forest floor, creating a richer rooting environment for trees and shrubs. 'Yard Life' also supports our commitment to preserving the environment through recycling the byproducts of our labor.

The broad movement toward a greener way of life is one of the most positive changes mankind can make. But it’s got to be more than a philosophy or marketing slogan. The arborists at Hartney Greymont will be glad to show you how to put principles into action, creating healthier, more beautiful trees and plants. Call us anytime.