When it comes to landscaping, less can be more. While those evergreen shrubs you planted near your front door will look lovely dusted with snow, if you let them grow out of control they could become a hiding place for burglars. And that peaceful grove of oaks in your back yard could turn into a breeding ground for "widow-makers" if you don't regularly remove dead branches.
“ Landscaping isn't just something you plant and then forget about ”
"Landscaping isn't just something you plant and then forget about," says Larry Deck, a tree trimming expert. "In addition to enhancing the beauty and value of your property, your landscaping has a direct impact on your home's security."
More than 2 million homes across the country were burglarized in 2004, according to federal government statistics. Law enforcement and the insurance industry agree that overgrown or ill maintained landscaping can influence a burglar's decision to visit your house. To deter burglars, consider these landscaping steps:
* Don't let shrubs or trees block your front door's visibility from the road or the yards of your next-door neighbors. Many burglars enter through the front door. If yours is easily visible from the street - and by your nosy neighbors, who can raise an alarm - thieves will think twice before trying the front door.
* Never let shrubs grow as high as the bottom of a windowsill. Again, tall shrubs close to your house are the prefect concealment for a burglar while he tries to climb in through a window.
* Likewise, make sure no tree branches come close enough to your house to serve as a bridge for a particularly enterprising burglar.
* Trim or remove from your front and side yards any shrubs more than 3 feet high. Remove all branches from tree trunks between 6 and 8 feet from the ground, to create a clear sight line around your yard.
* Overgrown shrubs and unmowed lawns send a message that your house may be vacant. Maintaining your landscaping indicates you are home and paying attention to your environment.
Burglars aren't the only safety concern when it comes to maintaining your landscaping. Overgrown shrubs, pressed up against the house, can prevent water from flowing away from your foundations and siding. Some particularly aggressive plants will even grow into gaps in the siding and cause damage.
If your landscaping includes any large trees, regular maintenance is required to remove dead branches before they fall - possibly on your house or a family member.
"It isn't practical to call in a professional every time you need to trim a branch or remove a shrub," says Deck. "It will be more cost effective - and probably more satisfying - to learn to take care of these basic needs for yourself."
Chainsaws are dangerous and can be time consuming to fuel up and properly maintain. Consider a non-powered tool, like Supreme Product's Unbelievable Saw, for pruning, trimming and tree removal. The patented saw is comprised of revolutionary cutting chain mounted between two easy-grip handles.
The flexible chain, which wraps around the limb or trunk, enables you to cut through half the perimeter of the wood at one time. The saw uses a pulling motion, rather than pushing, which makes the action faster and easier. These innovations mean the average homeowner can cut through a 4-inch diameter branch in 12 seconds or less.
"Preserving your home's security by maintaining landscaping shouldn't be an overwhelming task," Deck says. "Use a tool that makes the job fast and easy, and you'll be more likely to keep up with the chore."
To enhance your safe landscaping efforts, and learn more about the safest, speediest and most innovative handsaw available, visit
www.unbelievable-saw.com.
Copyright © 2005, ARA Content
