With the holiday season upon us, it is difficult to go places without being stopped by a whiff of fresh pine. Our commercial stores and fields along-side the road are beaming with these gorgeous structures that for years have been hauled into homes all around the world. So, why Christmas Trees?

The History:

Christmas Trees, usually evergreens of fir or pine, have been highly reknowned long before they were used to celebrate the December 25th holiday. Because of their ability to stay green all year round, they were cherished and valued at a very high level in most places, and were used for good energy & to ward off negativity. They were placed in homes around the last week of December as a reminder that things would bloom again after the Winter Solstice. 

It is believed that the Christmas Tree tradition as we currently know it began in Germany in the 16th Century, and that Martin Luther was the first person to add lights to one. Moving into America, the acceptance of this tradition took much longer. It was initially frowned upon and looked at similarly to witchcraft. Even the holiday carols and celebrations that accompanied the trees' presence were preached against. In the late 1800s, a law was passed in Massachusetts for anybody who hung decorations to be fined.

What turned things around? Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were portrayed in a piece of artwork surrounding a Christmas tree with their family. That's it. After that, almost instantaneously the celebrations were accepted, ornaments were being shipped into America, and trees were flooding into homes. 

These trees can be used to celebrate many things, but perhaps what is most evident is that they bring some sort of joy with their presence alone.

Selecting & Caring for Christmas Trees:

Most of us, especially in Florida, purchase trees that are ready to be loaded onto our vehicles and driven home. (If you have the pleasure of going to a choose & cut farm, or chopping down your own, bravo & we want to see photos!) For tree selecting, be sure to measure the space in your home first. Think of how you will decorate your tree and what sorts of things are going to hang from the branches, as this will help you determine the length of branches that you need. From there, it is a process of intuition! Choose the one that stands out to you most.

Caring for a Christmas Tree is fairly simple: Make sure the water does not run out; Don't add anything to the water; Let some light in!

Today, we serviced Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Facility. Stretching alongside the Florida Turnpike near Boynton Beach, the facility features 304 acres of maticulously groomed land that is home to 40 state of the art barns. There are 36 stalls per barn, and each houses a private bathroom, equipment room, and other beyond satisfactory commodities. 

Having thought everything out with utmost care, there is a system of horse paths from the barns to the main track and training areas so that the horses never have to walk on pavement. The training areas are impeccable.

The facility also countains 4 three-story dorm buildings. The accomodations are pristine, much like everything else about Palm Meadows. If you are a horse lover, we highly recommend you stop by their location:

8898 Lyons Road
Boynton Beach, Fla. 33472.

We would like to bring light to an environmental cause that is so very crucial, and also extend thanks to a particular species.

Bees.

Word has been going around on the streets that these little guys, best known for their scary stingers, are in fact, an essential key in our habitat. What's more is that their population is decreasing, and while it sounds exciting that these seemingly small insects who tend to zap us are becoming less, it turns out that we actually need them on a much bigger level.

"Honeybees are the most reliable and manageable pollinator." 
- CustomMade


One third of our crops are pollinated by honeybees. Not only do they create one of nature's most essential elixirs-- honey-- but they play a HUGE role in our nutrition, farming, and the state of the world as a whole. When bees pollinate in the wild, they are contributing to the over-all wellbeing of the environment. Not only does our crop supply significantly dwindle with the loss of bees, but our habitats become imbalanced too. 

The decline of the bee population is known as "Colony Collapse Disorder" (CCD), and is described best by this article from CustomMade. This disorder is characterized by bees vanishing from their hives. Some of the reasons listed as to why this occurs are: "the invasive varroa mite; diseases such as Israeli Acute Paralysis virus and the gut parasite Nosema; poisoning from pesticides; and stress." Also discussed is the use of land: "Honeybees require habitat in which to hung among floral sources, but by some estimates wheat, corn, and soy crops take up over 60 percent of U.S. farmland. That means bees have less and less space for finding adequate nutrition." 

We want to exaggerate these last points, because they mean something very important. They mean that each of us, individually as well as collectively, contribute to the health of bees, and therefore our own health, and that of the earth. Here are some ways we can contribute:

• Firstly, take a moment to feel gratitude for the bees! Let's change our overall outlook on the species, and welcome them instead of expelling them.
• Keep a garden with many florals that bees can make a happy home of!
• Refrain from using chemicals & pesticides!
• Buy local, raw honey! Let's support local bee farmers so they may continue to provide and support bee habitats.
• Spread the word! Talk about it. Make others aware of the importance of bees!

See below: the crops that are pollinated by bees. & Be sure to Click Here and read the full article on CustomMade. 

We love connecting locally! Since we have been servicing Lake Worth this week, we've decided to offer this special opportunity! If you have a local business in LW, simply drop a line to us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. We will feature you on our social media sites & blog, and you will be automatically entered to fill 1 of 3 "Biz of the Month" slots for December! This mean your business will be included in our giveaways, e-blasts, and more! Simply tweet to us, or leave a comment on our Facebook page or Instagram!

Halloween is right around the corner! We wanted to share with you some of our favorite DIY Halloween decorations. 

If you need your trees trimmed so you can have the most stylish yard for the holiday, you know who to call! 


We'd love your feedback. If you've come across any great Halloween DIY projects, share them here or on our Facebook page! 

Hanging Halloween Ghosts by the DIY Network! 
Spook up your trees with these festive little guys. The DIY Network never fails at bringing out the creative side with ease.

Paper Bats by Martha Stewart!
Nobody does holiday decor like Martha Stewart. She says this project can "turn your porch into a bat cave." You can hang them just about anywhere, and best of all, they're cute and creepy!

Oversize Spiders & Webs by This Old House!
Arachnophobia, much? Place these creepy crawlers just about anywhere on your yard to create the perfect eery feeling. The curators of This Old House have mastered the act of spider-making.

Milk-Jug Skeleton by Makezine!
This is a huge favorite because it includes recycling! Hold onto your milk jugs this month and turn them into these adorable hanging skeletons. You can dress them up however you'd like, with bow ties and any other glue-ons you can find! Thanks for this environmentally-productive decoration, Makezine!

A new "What We Can Do for the Environment" post is up on our Facebook page! We would love for you to join in on the conversation.

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More than half of our air pollution comes from vehicles. Cars expel toxic fluid & greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. A major way that we can benefit the environment is taking every possible opportunity to leave the car off at home.

The fantastic thing about driving less is that it has a dual component-- It gives you the opportunity to slow down a little bit, enjoy your surroundings, and get some exercise, all while doing your part for the world.


Here are some ways to do it:

- Walk or bicycle to as many places as possible. (Work, the convenience store, errands, a friend's house, local restaurants, etc.) Plan ahead to factor in extra time & weather conditions.

- Carpool! If you live near a co-worker or are going somewhere with others, choose one designated driver and only have one vehicle on the road.

Not only does a goal of driving less give you the ability to slow down, take in scenery, interact more, and exercise-- but it also helps you stay organized. For example, instead of driving to the grocery store every day, you could elect one day of the week for your groceries (having planned what you will need in advance.)

Of course, life is busy and there are always surprises and exceptions. Being aware and trying as often as possible is the very best technique for having an impact.

Have you made the decision to try to drive less? We would love to hear about your experience, input, and any techniques that you use!

We are excited to introduce a new Facebook Album series: What We Can Do for the Environment. (Click to view.)

Our first post (Save Water) was launched last Wednesday. Each Wednesday, we will post a way that we can collectively help the environment. We invite all of you to reach out to us with specific ways that you help the environment, or even your personal story -- we would be happy to share it on our blog & in our album!

If you don't have a Facebook page, here's what we shared:




It's one of those lessons that we get from childhood-- turn the faucet off while you're brushing your teeth.

A mere 1% of water on Earth is available for drinking. Water is treated as an unlimited element, when in fact we are using it more quickly than it is being produced.

Conserving water not only helps the environment, but can help us financially on a global scale.

Here are some ways you can save water:

- Check for leaks in your plumbing.

- Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, washing your face, during dishes, & other activities when possible.

- Shorten your showers.

- Only wash full loads of dishes & laundry.

- Only water the lawn when it is necessary.




We appreciate your interest and contribution in preserving the environment! Please share your favorite ways to conserve water in the comment section here or on our Facebook page!

All businesses have a huge advantage that often goes unnoticed: Reach.

Of course-- that sounds crazy. All businesses are focused on their reach- how many people they can target, attract, call customers, and so on. As business people, we are constantly working on expanding the amount of people that we can touch, and usually it is because we want them to buy something from us or use our services. However, it is becoming incredibly more obvious over time that our reach stands for a much greater purpose... and believe it or not, that purpose is not centered on our benefit or the profit that we will make from it! The purpose is to offer the world something beneficial-- it is to have compassion for co-workers, employees, clients, and the world, collectively.

I'm going to fill you in on a secret. No matter what industry you are involved in, there is something related to it that is a global matter. One of my favorite examples is a company that started out producing hand soap, and went on to realize the amount of deaths in third world countries caused by a lack of clean hands, clean water, and soap- and now is one of the greatest influences on this cause, not to mention is able to make massive donations for it.

Most of what you can do to influence a global matter is social, it's informative-- providing content and resources to those that you reach. Here at Perkins Tree, we understand that our niche for a more global impact is the environment. For many, many years, Perkins Tree has serviced South Florida's commercial and residential trees, helping them to live long and healthy lives. It is hard labor. We have an integral team and put countless effort and time into assuring that each and every member of it is fully trained in how to properly care for trees, recognize damages to them, and care for the areas surrounding them. If you are driving anywhere from Broward County to Port St. Lucie, you may see one of our big green trucks headed to a job. However, we know that we can do more than that. The foundation of our company was not set because we realized that we could make a ton of money chopping trees, but because we were crazy about those beautiful creatures! We don't only care for them because they are aesthetically pleasing art-pieces on a landscape either, but because they are literally our main source of oxygen and fresh air, allowing us to breathe and live. I'm sure you can see how following this path leads to an environmental standpoint.

Modern times are revolving around technology and communications. Social media and the internet. It is essential that we take advantage of these outlets to spread information that inspires a better world. We truly hope that other businesses alike are finding their niches, and using them where they can to influence their reach.

If your business already has a niche, we would love to hear about it. Comment here or start a conversation with us on Facebook! If you haven't yet thought of how your company may relate to something hugely important, we especially would love for you to reach out-- let's discuss it!

We look forward to hearing from you, and thank you for being in our "reach"!

The Sand Pine Tree is most commonly known for its use as a Christmas tree. Native to North America, this pine features supple, evergreen leaves and is able to thrive in almost any soil. They are most often seen at about forty feet in height, but can reach about one hundred feet. The cones on this tree remain for a very long time and often become embedded in the wood of the twigs.

As far as tree care goes for the Sand Pine, a moderate amount of pruning is required. The branches droop as it grows, and need to be pruned beneath the canopy for vehicular or pedestrian purposes. The wood is fairly weak and tends to have a heavier level of breakage than most trees.

            This particular pine is extremely low maintenance. It can grow in almost any condition of light and soil. Its tolerance to droughts and salt is impeccable. The surface roots are very rarely a problem, and there are no pests or diseases that are a major concern to its health.

            Sand Pines may be used for buffer strips around parking lots or median strip areas on the highway. As previously mentioned, they are most commonly used as Christmas trees. Aside from the immediate joy their appearance delivers, they do not have any known medicinal value. 


                      For more information on the Sand Pine, or any other tree of interest, 
                                        contact Perkins Tree & Landscape Services, Inc.

                                          contact@perkinstree.com | (855)-866-8733(TREE)

The Baldcypress tree is a flattering favorite of many Floridians. Its origins hold importance to the Seminole Indian tribes as well as many others, dating back thousands of years. It is not known for any particular medicinal value, but this ornamental tree’s visually-striking aesthetics make for a pleasant connection to
nature.


Striving in wetlands, though able to grow in most places, the Baldcypress reaches about forty to fifty feet within approximately twenty years of life. It has pale, needle-like leaves that turn a bold, coppery red in the fall, similar to Redwoods. The trunk grows unusually thick toward the base. Near the water, it develops “knees” that extend above the water. The roots do not tend to lift sidewalks or curbs. 

Pests that are typical of Baldcypress are bagworms and mites, which can defoliate portions of the tree and cause early leaf browning. Twig blight is a disease that may inhibit them, caused by a weak pathogen that is usually present on dying tissue. 

Baldcypress is known for its high merchantable properties. Their swamps are “some of the world’s most productive ecosystems.” They are used for many wood carvings and other products because of their odorless, extremely water-resistant wood. Even “Pecky cypress”, caused by the fungus Stereum taxodii, is used for decorative paneling. Overall, the Baldcypress is easily one of the most beautiful trees to benefit the environment.

For more information on the Baldcypress, or to request information on any other type of tree, please reply here or on our Facebook page, or send us an e-mail: contact@perkinstree.com 
 
(U.S Department of Agriculture)