Summer is coming to a close, which means beautiful fall leaves are just around the corner. Oak trees will give you astonishing color changes in the fall, as well as shade year-round. Let’s take a look at some of the types of shady oak trees available at 3AM Growers!

• Bur Oaks are the tallest trees on our list, reaching anywhere from 70-80 feet tall at maturity. They grow slowly, less than 12 inches per year. They don’t have foliage as dramatic as some of the other trees on our list, but they do provide acorns that are a favorite of wood ducks, rabbits, and wild turkeys.
• Shumard Oaks turn very dramatic in the fall! Their leaves will change to brilliant red or red-orange. Their canopy also provide excellent shade. They will reach about 40-60 feet in both height and spread, and grow anywhere from 13-24” per year.
• Southern Live Oaks are iconic to the Southeast, and the state tree of Georgia. You’ve probably seen them draped with Spanish moss. These distinctive, beautiful trees grow in a rounded shape, reaching a height of about 40-80 feet and a spread of anywhere from 60-100 feet. They grow anywhere from 13-24” per year, more quickly when young. These trees are almost evergreen, replacing their leaves year-round. 
• White Oaks have been called the king of all oak trees. In the fall, their leaves will turn showy shades of red or burgundy, and they will feed a wide variety of wildlife year-round, including many species of birds. They grow about 50-80 feet tall and have a spread of the same range. White oak wood was used in ships as recently as World War II, and is still a favored wood for casks at wineries and distilleries.
• Nuttall Oaks are less well known, but are gaining in popularity. In the fall, their leaves turn bright red and orange, and hang on until later in the season before falling. They grow to about 40-60 feet tall, with plenty of head space beneath them.

3AM Growers in Tallassee, AL has a huge variety of oaks available, as well as the knowledge and skill necessary to help you select the right ones for your yard. Contact us today to get started picking yours!

When you think about an ideal landscape for your home, you may focus mostly on grass and flowers. Don’t neglect trees. The right trees will add beauty and value to your home that you can enjoy for years to come. There are many benefits of planting trees on your home property: 

• Shade. Perhaps most obviously, trees will provide shade. Whether you’re interested in reducing cooling costs by shading your home, or creating a beautiful oasis in your yard, trees are a great way to do it. 3am Growers has a wide selection of shade trees, and can help you pick the best varieties for your climate, soil type, etc.
• Privacy and Quiet. Better than almost any other plant, trees make will your property truly your own by blocking noise and prying eyes. Create a beautiful perimeter or just add trees outside of windows depending on your budget and individual desires.
• Curb Appeal. Great landscaping adds so much to your home’s value when you want to sell it. Just think how a potential buyer will feel when they imagine their kids climbing on the trees in your yard, or relaxing in a hammock underneath them.  
• Natural Benefits. Trees aren’t just great for humans–wildlife love them too. Pick the right trees and you might even get fresh fruit out of the deal!

When you’re ready to add beauty and value to your home property by adding trees, contact 3am Growers in Tallassee, AL. We have the selection and know-how to get you the trees you need.

We love to have trees in our yards for their beauty, the shade they provide, and their benefits to the environment, but it’s not all fun and games. Trees need a lot of space, and they aren’t shy about taking it up. What do you do when the roots of a beloved tree have crept up into the surface of your lawn, sidewalk, or even driveway?

Tree roots break the surface for many reasons. Often the soil in urban or suburban areas is not conducive to deep growth of tree roots. In order to better access oxygen and moisture, most tree roots grow within the first foot of soil. It only takes a little bit of growth or erosion for roots to break the surface. 

Now, how to deal with this problem. First of all, don’t cut surface tree roots! It may be tempting, but doing this will damage your tree and can lead to disease, pest infestations, or even the death of your tree. When you want to cover surface roots, your best bet is simple: use mulch to level the surface, and then plant a filler grass.

Ultimately, though, bear in mind that any solution short of removing the tree entirely is only temporary. If your tree is posing danger to your home or other structures and you find you need to replace it, 3AM Growers can help you select a new one and find the best location for it in your outdoor space.

At 3AM Growers in Tallassee, AL, we can help with your tree questions. Contact us today and let’s see what we can do!

It’s no secret that humans and pets can suffer in the heat, but did you know that plants can as well? When summer temperatures soar, plants can really feel the heat stress, especially if the weather is also dry. 3AM Growers is in Tallassee, Alabama, and trust us–we know from hot weather! Here are some simple ways to protect plants against heat stress this summer.

• Water Carefully. The hotter it gets, the more moisture evaporates from the soil. Watering your plants in the morning, before it gets hottest outside, is a great way to make sure the roots can absorb the water they need. Some plants may also need to be watered more frequently or with more volume in the summer. 
• Plant Deeper. You can plant your seeds a little deeper if you know you’ve got a late start this year, if you’re expecting a really hot summer, or if you live in an area that sees warm temperatures all year round. This will help protect seeds and fledgling root systems from scorching before they have a chance to get established.
• Keep the Sun at Bay. Even plants that need a lot of sunlight can be damaged by it. When it’s hottest outside, consider adjusting your plants so they are protected from the most direct sunlight. Sometimes this is as simple as just moving potted plants during the brightest part of the day, usually between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. You can protect plants in the ground by making or purchasing shade cloths. Make sure there is plenty of room for airflow between them and your plants.

With these tips, you can help ensure your plants will thrive no matter how hot it gets this summer. If you need additional help, though, don’t hesitate to contact us at 3AM Growers!

Whether you want to add a dramatic centerpiece, some privacy, or just an interesting contrast, conifers are an attractive, hardy, and versatile addition to an outdoor space. With so many options to choose from, how can you select the best tree for your needs? 3AM Growers offers many varieties of conifer, as well as the knowledge and know-how to pick the best one for your needs. Here are some things to consider when you’re adding conifers to your yard.

• Purpose. What, specifically, are you hoping to get out of your plants? The best conifers for a privacy screen may be different from the best conifers to act as charming adornments to the rest of your yard. 
• Size and Space. Conifers come in all shapes and sizes, from shrubs all the way up to towering trees. They grow quickly and can live for centuries. When you’re selecting conifers, make sure you stay aware of size and space considerations so you don’t run into problems or damage down the line.
• Aesthetics. Do you want your new conifers to blend with existing ones, or contrast with them? Are you dying for a specific look, scent, or color? Are there zoning laws of HOA regulations you need to take into account? All these factors should play into your decision.
• Environmental Factors. The soil composition, rainfall, sunlight exposure, climate, etc. of your outdoor space all need to be considered when selecting any new plants.

All this may seem like a lot, but don’t panic! 3AM Growers in Tallassee, AL has all the necessary tools and in-house experts to help you make the right decision. Contact us today and let’s get started!

There’s nothing quite like sitting outside under the cool shade of a tree. Shade trees lend elegance, beauty, and utility to your outdoor space, as well as providing environmental benefits. But how do you select the best kind of shade tree for your yard? The most popular shade trees are oaks, maples, and elms. Here’s some information to help you decide which is best for your needs!

Oak trees are very large–they needs lot of space! They are perhaps best known for this, as well as their beautiful color, especially in the fall. Hardy and long-lived, oaks can live for over 200 years and spread quite a bit, so before planting make sure you take into account how much space they will need in the future, both horizontally and vertically.  

Maples trees are very versatile, but are probably best-known for their sap, which becomes the maple syrup we all know and love. They also make great shade trees, and have truly stunning fall colors. Make sure you keep an eye out for pests, who love the sweet sap as much as humans, and water these trees carefully.

Elm trees have only recently come back from a devastating epidemic of Dutch Elm Disease, which wiped them out in many parts of the country. They are hardy trees despite this, and many varieties have since been cultivated to be resistant to Dutch Elm. These trees aren’t picky–they thrive in all kinds of soil, under many different conditions, grow quickly, and live for centuries!

At 3AM Growers in Tallassee, AL, we take pride in our knowledge of shade trees. Give us a call and let our on-staff Architects help you select the right trees for your needs!  

With its long days, abundant rainfall, and warm, muggy nights, summer in the Southeast is a great time to plant and grow decorative shrubs. Shrubs thrive in this climate, and can add a lot of beauty, privacy, and comfort to your home landscaping. Turn your back or front yard into a beautiful oasis and enjoy the summer weather!

The right type of shrubs, when properly cared for, can act as beautiful privacy screens to create a special outdoor space for your family and guests. In addition to being pretty, decorative shrubs will reduce noise pollution in your yard, help circulate the air to keep it fresher, and trap dirt and dust from nearby construction, neighbors, sports fields, or just the wind. Some shrubs also attract birds and butterflies. Decorative shrubs are a great choice if you want to make your space truly feel like home.

3am Growers is about more than just landscaping. We are also professional landscape architects and designers with decades of experience in design, architecture, and horticulture. Together with our partner company Hood Architects LLC, creating attractive outdoor spaces with your comfort, privacy, and happiness in mind is one of our favorite things! With our expertise and your preferences, we can design a landscape that will make your back, front, or side yard into your family’s favorite place to congregate.

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