
Crepe Myrtle Care: The #1 Thing You Should Know About Trimming
Crepe myrtles (“crape myrtles”) are one of the most common plants in the Northern Virginia, DC Metro area, and for good reason – their flowers stand out among the rest! From pink to white to red or purple, homeowners enjoy decking their properties with the aesthetic colors crepe myrtles provide. To help your crepe myrtle flourish, however, it’s important to provide it with the best care. For crepe myrtles, this care may be in the…

Invasive Plants Are Dangerous To The Environment: This is Why
At RTEC, we consider plants to be our friends – that is, unless they cause harm to other plants and wildlife. While the specific damage is dependent on species, there is one thing that is the same for all: they leave a life-altering mark on the ecosystem and those native to it. What is an Invasive Plant? Invasive species are plants, animals, or other organisms that have been introduced, often accidentally, into a new environment….

Harmful or Harm-free? 3 Tree Bugs You Should Look Out For in 2021
There are several bug species that can infest your landscape this year, especially once summer rolls around. But why wait? Why not start preparing yourself and your plants for what’s to come? In this article, we give you insight into 3 bugs you can expect to find this year (spoiler: two are invasive and one will be hard to miss!). #1: Emerald Ash Borer Expect to see them emerge in mid to late May What is Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?…

Your Evergreen Trees Are Probably Dehydrated in Winter: This is Why
Winter carries a host of different opinions. While some people may enjoy cozying up indoors with a blanket and a nice book, others may miss their outdoor adventures under the blazing sun. Whichever the case may be for you, when it comes to your evergreen trees and shrubs, winter often means one thing: working extra hard to fight dehydration. Dehydration can lead to: Yellowing/browning of needles and leaves or marginal leaf burn Browning starting at…

8 Eco-Friendly Ways You Can Recycle Your Christmas Tree
Now that Christmas is over, slowly but surely the time is coming where we must say goodbye to the Christmas trees in our homes. The beautifully decorated evergreen tree has provided joy, festivity, and comfort to homes the past several weeks, and it can be difficult to say goodbye. On the bright side, real Christmas trees are biodegradable! This is a great key factor which allows you to recycle your Christmas tree and continue spreading…