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5 Privacy Trees for Your Backyard

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Trees are a beautiful asset to any yard. They increase the aesthetic of your property, attract local wildlife, and provide shade and coolness during the hot summer months. However, one thing they also can provide, which people don’t always think of, is privacy. Privacy is important to many people. You want your yard to be a safe space. You want you and your family to be able to enjoy your yard as you please. This is why many opt to plant privacy trees for backyard areas.

One other thing to consider is the type of privacy you desire in your yard. Is it from neighbors or bystanders or noise? Or is it primarily for protection from the weather? If it’s to lessen the noise in your yard, you’ll want to choose trees with dense branches and long needles. If you just want help in covering the view, you can choose skinnier trees.

Not sure what you’re looking for yet? Here are five privacy trees for your backyard to give you some ideas.

1. Emerald Arborvitae

Emerald arborvitae, also known by many as the emerald green thuja, is one of the most popular choices for privacy trees for backyard areas. These are evergreen trees. They’re extremely thick and grow in a pyramid shape. At full maturity, they can reach about 15 feet tall and 4 feet wide. They can survive in various soil conditions and are very resistant to both ice and frost.

For best results, these trees should be planted about two to three feet apart. They should be in an area of full to partial sunlight. Emerald arborvitae trees are great for yards that are medium in size, especially as they only grow six to nine inches per year.

2. Eastern Redcedar

If your property is large, consider planting eastern redcedar trees, as they provide a lot of protection and privacy. This is because they can reach heights of 60 feet and up to 20 feet in width. They are conifer trees, which means that they provide year-round protection for your backyard. In the winter, they block out the cold, strong wind. In the summer, they provide you and your family with shade from the hot sun. Additionally, they have a nice scent throughout the year, an earthly fragrance that adds to your yard’s beauty and comfort. They also attract local wildlife such as birds and smaller animals.

For ultimate privacy, be sure to plant these trees about 20 feet apart. They should also be planted away from any neighboring homes or power lines.

3. Flowering Dogwood Trees

At Mr. Tree, we have already shared with you what our favorite varieties of dogwood trees are. But when it comes to privacy, flowering dogwood trees should be the dogwood of choice. These trees will not only provide privacy for your yard but will give your yard lots of dazzling color too. The flowers come in red, pink, white, and more. These are smaller trees, only reaching a maximum height of about 25 feet. However, they also reach widths of 25 feet, which is why they’re great at keeping neighbors or onlookers from being able to see into your backyard. Plus, flowering dogwood trees attract insects and birds with the berries they grow.

For maximum quality, flowering dogwood trees should be planted 20 feet apart in an area that receives full to partial sunlight and in well-drained soil. A lot of people who plant flowering dogwoods as privacy trees for backyard areas strategically place these trees for spot coverage.

4. Spartan Juniper

If your backyard is on the smaller side, the spartan juniper is a great choice of privacy tree for you. They grow to only a height of 15 feet tall and a width of 5 feet. They provide thick branch cover, which is why they’re great choices to create a privacy fence and a great way to block harsh weather conditions.

For best results, these trees should be planted about five feet apart in an area that gets full sunlight more than six hours per day. They need to be planted in dry soil. It’s important not to overwater them, as that can cause root rot and other diseases. Spartan juniper trees should also not be pruned heavily, which is important to consider before choosing a location to plant them.

5. Leyland Cypress

Are you looking for privacy trees that will provide a lot of coverage in one large area? The Leyland cypress is an option for you. These trees reach heights of about 60 feet tall, meaning if you have a large backyard or a large house you’re looking to block, they’re perfect. They are also very fast-growing trees—many can reach heights of 50 feet in just 15 years.

Leyland cypress trees are a very popular choice for homes near the coast, as they have a strong tolerance for salt. They require full sunlight but don’t do well in climates that are too hot. This is because they have a shallow root system. This means they need to be planted in large, well-drained yards. However, when they’re planted in a row, they’re an impenetrable mass of branches. This means that they’re great protection from harsh weather conditions such as wind and rain, as well as from the view of others and noise.

As you can see, if you’re looking for privacy trees for backyard areas, there are many great choices out there for you. The above five are all wonderful options, but you need to figure out which one will work best in your yard and for your family. Considering the size of your yard and the size the trees can grow to is important. It’s also important to make sure the soil in your yard is appropriate for the tree. Otherwise, you run the risk of your tree not growing to its healthiest.

If you need help in choosing the privacy tree that’s right for you, give the arborists at Mr. Tree a call today. We are happy to help.

How to Stop Bad Lifestyle Habits Before they Start

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If you’ve ever tried to kick a bad habit, then you know just how difficult and stressful it can be to do so. Certain bad habits –– like smoking or eating junk food, for instance –– can be very addictive in addition to being very detrimental to your well-being. As such, it’s preferable to avoid these activities altogether. Stopping a bad habit before it becomes a part of your lifestyle can save you a ton of stress, frustration, and (often) money. To that end, today we’ll help you identify poor choices that can lead to dangerous behaviors so that you can prevent them from affecting your life. Check it out here:

Speak to a Doctor

Generally speaking, there are few things better for your health than scheduling regular trips to the doctor’s office. Doctors can help you identify potential problems before they affect your well-being. And they can help you get in touch with specialists to address specific issues. For example, if you suffer from bunion pain, your doctor may direct you to make an appointment with a clinic like Northwest Surgery Center for further assistance. Always keep in mind that in the fight for good health, your doctor is your best ally.

Develop a Routine

Many bad habits start during downtime. Idleness and boredom can lead even the healthiest of individuals to begin bad habits without even realizing it! If you’ve ever absent-mindedly ate an entire bag of chips while at work, then you know just how easy it can be to engage in unhealthy activities. That’s why it’s important to fill your day with a detailed and energizing routine. Give yourself something to do every hour. It’s much better to knock out a round of household chores than to spend 90 minutes scrolling through your social media feeds for no reason!

Partner Up

Like it or not, the people around you can have an impact on your own wellness. So it’s vital to surround yourself with individuals who encourage you to make healthy choices. After all, if your friends want to go to a bar, you’ll probably end up drinking. But if they want to go to the gym, you’ll be more likely to join them and squeeze in a quality workout. Plus, signing up for fitness classes or partnering up with a physical trainer will help you hold yourself accountable and spot poor lifestyle choices ASAP.

Conclusion

No matter what, most people have at least one bad habit they’d like to be rid of. Don’t beat yourself up if you suffer a wellness setback! Rather, maintain positive thoughts and do your best to become a healthier person day by day.

How to Help Your Child Avoid Bad Health Habits

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Bad habits don’t form overnight. Rather, they develop slowly over long periods of time. As such, it can be difficult to notice if you –– or someone in your family –– starts to fall into a bad health habit. Parents in particular are right to be concerned about their kids forming poor dietary and exercise patterns early in life. To prevent that from occurring, today we’ll explore how moms and dads can spot, stop, and reverse bad habits that could affect the health of their little ones. Check it out here:

Communicate

Communication is vital to every relationship. It should come as no surprise that one of the best ways to monitor the health and happiness of a child is to simply talk to them! While they may not be able to articulate everything that they notice or feel, they can certainly let you know if they think something’s wrong. Similarly, parents should have regular dialogue with teachers, babysitters, and other parents to make sure that their children aren’t building bad habits outside of the house.

Set a Good Example

Kids can tell when their parents aren’t being genuine with them. If you say to your child that a good night of sleep is very important, but you yourself often stay up late and fail to get quality rest, that message will be unlikely to carry much weight. This is why setting a good example for your kids is fundamental. Going on walks, eating healthy meals, visiting healthcare clinics like Northwest Surgery Center if you have a problem, and generally following wellness best practices on your own will help your child develop good habits as well. Children take cues from their parents constantly, so be sure to exemplify the habits you want them to follow.

Consult with a Professional

It’s impossible for even the most vigilant parents to identify every problem that could affect their child right away. Sometimes bad habits can form as a result of physical ailments or emotional distress. As a general rule, parents should schedule regular health checkups for their kids as often as needed. However, if you’re concerned about your child’s behavior for a specific reason, then it’s a good idea to consult with a medical expert.

Be Patient

Breaking a bad habit is tough. Getting a child to curtail a bad habit can be even more challenging. Parents must be patient and persistent though, to ensure the long-term health and happiness of their children. Your patience now will be hugely important for the development of your child –– remember that when things get tough!

4 Home Businesses You Can Start (Even If You Have Small Children)

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Being a stay-at-home parent is a full-time job – one that pays in memories and time spent with your children. Sometimes this isn’t enough for families who would like to make a little extra income to spend on a vacation or fun experiences together.

Fortunately, we live in the beautiful age of remote work and technology, perfect for stay-at-home parents who want to start a small (or large) business right from the comfort of their home.

From a little bit of work to some major dedication, these are four home businesses parents can start, even if they have small children running through the house.

  1. Network Marketing

You’ve heard of companies like MaryKay, Pampered Chef, and Premier Designs Jewelry. You’ve probably even been invited to a home party where you can buy items from these companies.

If you have a large social network and a knack for meeting new people and selling items, then you may want to consider getting into a network marketing company. You’ll have a mentor to help you establish your business and even have the opportunity to build your own empire and mentor other sellers.

  1. Print-on-Demand

If you’re an artist or graphic designer who would love to see your art printed on items like mugs, notebooks, t-shirts, and phone cases, then you may want to look into print-on-demand business models.

This model allows you to create your design at home, advertise it on a product through a website, social media, or however you see fit, and a print-on-demand company produces the product and ships it to your customer.

The beauty of this business is that you never have to keep inventory! All you have to do is design and promote!

  1. Craft Seller

Do you have an area in your house with all of your crafting supplies? Maybe you just bought a Cricut and ran out of things to make for your house but still have an itch to keep crafting.

Consider selling your craft products like home décor, jewelry, candles, and whatever else you can craft at home. As you unwind and relax making your crafts, you can also make some extra income from your hobby.

If you want to get really serious about your craft business and find the most effective way to sell your products, conducting some retail market research is beneficial and will help you enhance your business plan.

  1. Affiliate Marketing

Are you a creative writer or enjoy creating social media content? Then you may want to become an affiliate marketer!

When you have a blog or large following on social media, you can reach out to brands and products that you want to advertise to your followers in exchange for a commission for each sale you make from your audience.

It does take some time to build an audience and create content, but the payoff is amazing when it’s done right, and you work with the right brands and products.

How To Choose Jewelry for Young Children

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Kids are naturally attracted to shiny and pretty things. Parents who love to dress-up their kids in fashionable clothing sometimes wonder if jewelry is also appropriate for little ones. Although some pieces are better left for the grown-ups, there are accessories that are also appropriate for children. Of course, it depends on the child’s age or the specific occasion for wearing it.

Children’s jewelry worn on special occasions

If there’s one reason to buy jewelry for children, it’s when there’s a special occasion. Every event is unique, and your child needs to dress appropriately as well. And like clothing, there are many accessories to choose from. So how do you choose a piece of jewelry fit for the occasion?

For religious events like christenings and bar mitzvahs, you need to consider the relevance of the observance. Tradition also plays an important role in choosing a piece. A safe option would be a rose gold name necklace, a birthstone bracelet, or anything that complements your belief.

Birthdays are a more fun occasion because you can choose something more personal or unique. There are a lot of perfect options to choose from. For example, a gold locket with a family picture inside would be quite meaningful. Charm bracelets are also great because the child can collect charms while growing up. For boys, a good option would be a simple gold chain or a watch. Boys should feel comfortable wearing jewelry at a young age so that they’ll be more at ease with it as they grow up.

If you’re thinking of giving jewelry as a gift for special milestones such as graduations, the options are also endless. Most parents give pieces with special meaning such as monogram rings, engraved bracelets, and watches.

Most appropriate jewelry for children

Here is another list of options if you’re considering buying a piece of jewelry for your child for the first time.

Stud earring. Getting their ears pierced is considered a right of passage. A simple stud works well as your child gets accustomed to wearing jewelry. Later on, you can buy birthstone earrings or experiment with dangling pieces when the child is older.

A statement necklace. A locket or a name necklace is always a good choice for a child. A simple chain design is great for everyday use as well.

Friendship bracelet with charms. Friendship bracelets aren’t technically jewelry, but a type of accessory your child can make or personalize. There are kits available online with a variety of options such as beads and semi-precious stones. Giving this as a gift will encourage creativity and self-expression.

Watch. A watch is a suitable choice for an older child. It gives a sense of responsibility and trust. You can choose from different types of bands and styles that will suit your child.

Don’t hesitate to allow your children to wear jewelry. There are many child-appropriate pieces to choose from. Also, accessories are an extension of one’s style and personality. And at a young age, you can develop your child’s confidence by letting them accessorize their outfits.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!