Andrew Vilcheck

Chester County

Painting, Home Repairs, Pressure-washing, Drainage, Hardscaping, Landscaping, Chimney Painting & Repairs, Stucco and Masonry Repairs

Servicing Chester County

and Surrounding Areas

Register # PA 045291

Andrew Vilcheck
93 Chester Avenue
Coatesville, PA 19320
ph: 484-888-2326
agvilcheck@yahoo.com

Trees and Shrub Planting

The ground in some parts of Chester County especially Glenmoore, consists mostly of bullet hard clay and rocks. Planting is difficult sometimes due to the tough conditions, however, trees and shrubs grow well if planted properly. Things like spacing, soil conditioning, hole depth, and watering are all important factors when planting.

Replacing Border Shrubs
- Some of the shrubs bordering this driveway have died while others have grown out into the driveway.
- Five 7' tall Emerald Green Arborvitaes were planted to replace them.
These Arborvitae were planted too close to the edge of the driveway. They are leaning because their roots have not been able to expand enough to support the weight of the plant. The new shrubs were planted 18" further back from the edge .
Tree planting to create privacy
- This open area is perfect for a row of Norway & Blue Spruces along with a Deodora and weeping Alaskan Cedar
- Spacing is often sacrificed to get immediate privacy. Trees must be given room to breath and obtain a healthy shape.
I use plants from local nurseries that give the desired effects. It is the law to contact the utilities and PA One Call so that underground cables and pipes are not damaged before doing and deep planting.
Norway and Blue Spruce
Emerald Green Arborvitae
- These are 8' tall emerald green arborvitae with a burlap ball.
- This variety keeps a tight figure and grows slow but steady.
Emerald Green Arborvitae make stylish borders. These eight are near a swimming pool fence. They do not create debris and do not grow as big as the green giant variety.
Leyland Cypress
- This is a corner spot on a property where the owner wishes to have some privacy.
- Three Leyland Cypress evergreens were chosen to do the job.
Leyland Cypress is a lush fast growing shrub that will grow one to two feet easily in a year. They will grow well over 30 feet high and can get to be 15 feet wide at the base. Two of their enemies are borers and bag worms. Spraying twice in late May usually keeps them healthy.
Transplanting
- This bed needed the three burning bushes transplanted to where they could have their own space.
- They looked much better along the driveway and will get a far better shape
New homes that are planted by a developer are often done in a hurry with the intent to just get something in the ground. I stress to the homeowner to not over plant nor place shrubs right up against the house. You can always add more later.
Choosing plants with character
- Dwarf pom pom muhgo pines were placed at the entrance. A dwarf weeping cherry and yellow knockout roses to the left.
- The bed was finished off using weed mat and red dyed mulch.
This bed had a slightly more than moderate weed issue. A heavy commercial weed fabric with a 2" coating of mulch with alleviate this problem.
Boxwoods as a border
- Boxwoods and weigela were chosen to border this sidewalk in West Bradford.
- A sod cutter was used to remove the grass and make plenty of room for the plants.
This house had shrubs installed along the whole perimeter of the house. The ground was mostly shale. Very hard to dig, however, it drains quite well.
Spiral Arborvitae
- The corner of the house was empty and needed a center of focus.
- Two spirea were transplanted on either side of a spiral emerald green arborvitae.
This property had huge spireas crowding each other out in the front of the house. They were transplanted to the back of the house were they could be better appreciated.
Planting with limited space
- The owners wanted to have something next to the deck but did not have a lot of room.
- A red twig dogwood, perennials, and ornamental grasses were positioned to make the most of the available space.
Often times when people choose their plants, they find that their plans need altering due to the size of the plants that are available.
Blue Carpet Juniper as a bank cover
- Blue carpet junipers were spaced on the slope of the bank so that as they grow, the entire surface will fill in.
- Black dyed mulch covers the drip hoses and weed fabric.
Low growing creepers spread in all directions and fill in uniformly. At the top near the walkway, seven Korean boxwoods were planted. They will get about three feet high and eventually touch one another to make a solid hedgerow.
Flowering Buckeyes
- Pink Buckeye
- Red Buckeye
Buckeyes are native to the area and require little water. They flower in May for about two weeks. They grow a nut that is usually swiped by local squirrels.
Kwanzan Cherry
- Kwanzan cherry trees produce beautiful blooms in the Spring.
- The tree is braced to keep it from leaning.