On a hot day I often walk through John D. Morgan Park in Campbell because it is cooler than the surrounding areas. But I didn't know until a few years ago why the park was cooler, even in direct sunlight, until I visited the Sacramento Tree Foundation.
I discovered that trees not only shade us from the sun, they also reduce ambient temperature. Trees transpire water which cools the air by taking heat from the air to evaporate the water. What's more, trees filter pollution, such as C02; reflect solar radiation, reduce energy consumption, provide habitats for birds and other animals, and add beauty to the landscape. Heat Island Effect According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), each year heat is responsible for most of the weather- related deaths of thousands of Americans. What makes matters worse is a phenomenon called the "heat island effect. " EPA describes the heat island effect as "urban and suburban temperatures that are 2 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than nearby rural areas." The main reason urban areas are hotter is due to the replacement of trees and other vegetation with heat absorbing infrastructures, such as buildings and roads. In areas like downtown Sacramento, which has fewer trees than the surrounding communities, the ambient temperature is higher. Structures, such as dark colored rooftops, concrete, and asphalt also contribute to the "heat island effect." Dark-colored surfaces have a low albedo whereas trees and light- colored surfaces have a high albedo. Albedo stands for the surface's ability to reflect rather than absorb solar radiation. Rooftops, asphalt and concrete absorb solar energy, raising surface temperature 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the ambient temperature. These structures reflect, store and release heat into the air even after dark. San Jose's efforts to mitigate the heat island effect In 2001 the City of San Jose adopted a Green Building Policy that includes as one of its objectives suitable landscape design to mitigate the heat island effect. Our City Forest, a non-profit organization, in partnership with the City of San Jose, has planted 50,000 trees over the last 15 years. Last month, for instance, Our City Forest helped San Jose residents, and students and school employees from Laneview and Cherrywood elementary schools to plant 54 trees. Our City Forest gives free 15-gallon shade trees to individuals, parks and neighborhoods. The organization also gives free presentations. If you want to plant a street tree in San Jose, contact the City of San Jose Arborist's Office at (408) 277-2762 or Our City Forest 408-998-7337.
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AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Robin,
the lawn care provider that promises 21st century convenience at a competitive price, launches officially in Austin, Houston and Dallas today after raising $1.2 million from notable private investors including Brett Hurt of Bazaarvoice. This web-based service takes on the frustrations of finding and managing quality lawn care service, a $40 billion industry in which 30 percent of homeowners participate. Robin lets customers put their lawn care on autopilot, offering an instant quote online, automating payment and guaranteeing quality service. "With Robin, we've taken an industry that often causes frustration and changed it into an effortless experience for both the customer and the provider," said Justin Crandall, founder and CEO of Robin. "By creating a better customer experience and helping providers improve their business, we're making everyone a whole lot happier." There are over 90,000 lawn care providers in the U.S., but little information exists about the quality of those providers. For customers, finding reliable lawn care is often a frustrating experience of poor communication and unmet expectations. Just getting a quote is a taxing process that involves asking neighbors, multiple phone calls, and home visits from providers. Payment still requires cash or a check under the doormat - an outdated system in today's cashless society. For providers, acquiring customers near existing routes is necessary to keep costs low, but presents a major challenge. Communication is time-consuming and is therefore regarded as an afterthought, leading to poor service. Additionally, unpaid bills cost 6-8 percent of revenue and even more in profits. How Robin Works Using just a street address, Robin's technology delivers an instant quote to potential customers in seconds. Through a careful selection process, Robin can guarantee quality service performed by a preferred vendor in the local neighborhood. Customers are notified automatically of any changes in scheduling, so they're always in the know. Vendors with the highest ratings are rewarded with more jobs in close proximity to increase efficiency. Additionally, weekly payments mean that Robin can guarantee a steady cash flow for providers. With Robin's online payment system, providers never have to worry about unpaid bills. "In just a few weeks, we've added over 100 recurring jobs," said Matt Brady, owner of Terra Turf in Plano, TX. "All of these new customers are located on our current routes which has helped to increase our efficiency." Backed by Experience Founders Justin Crandall and Bart Lomont developed the service within Dialexa Labs. Crandall brings his knowledge of building fast-growing startups and local marketplaces through his work at Bazaarvoice and FrontYrd. Lomont, a military operations veteran, former political aide to the Governor of Indiana and former Uber driver, adds real world experience of the sharing economy and operations to the venture. A previous finalist at TechCrunch Disrupt, the UX design and development team from Dialexa Labs brings its expertise to Robin's customer experience. While a number of startups have made a play for the lawn care industry, none have managed to make significant inroads to change the existing model. In just four months, Robin has raised $1.2 million from twenty personal investors with impressive track records in technology, including Brett Hurt, founder of Bazaarvoice (NSDQ:BV) and founder of Hurt Family Investments, Derek Chapin, co-founder and former CFO of Woot!, John Jaggers of Sevin Rosen Funds, Mahesh Chukkapali, director of Google for Work, Jeff Williams of Covara Ventures and previously Hunt Ventures, Josh Deckard of Hammerstone Capital and George Baker Sr., founder of ParkHub. "With a smartphone in every pocket, technology has disrupted industries from car service to home cleaning," said Robin investor and advisor Brett Hurt, former CEO of Bazaarvoice. "Given the support to both the customer and the provider, Robin will completely change the way homeowners and lawn care providers interact." To celebrate the launch, Robin will be hosting a competition between May 21st and Memorial Day in which 50 participants (10 per day) will win free lawn care for the summer. To enter, simply visit www.tryrobin.com/freesummer and follow the instructions. For more information about Robin, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter and Facebook. About Robin Robin has created the kind of customer experience for lawn services that we expect from every other aspect of our 21st century life. Our trusted professionals, money-back guarantee, online customer service, and credit card payments mean you can spend time enjoying your yard...not managing the maintenance of it! Connect with us: Website: https://www.tryrobin.com Competition: www.tryrobin.com/freesummer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinhomeservices Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinservices iStockphoto Your lawn care expenses might be deductible if you work from home and the state of your lawn matters to clients who meet you in your home office. A business owner may feel the need to keep up appearances, especially if the business is, say, a landscaping company. Trees beautify our surroundings and add to the much needed greenery to the urban concrete jungle. However, over time trees grow old, rot, become weak and become a safety and health hazard for the surroundings they are in. The next wind storm, hail storm or heavy rain may just knock them out causing irreparable damage to life and property.
So it is right if you identify a tree or trees on your property which may likely cause damage in the near future and prepare to have them removed. Tree removal is not child's play and is certainly not advisable that you undertake this perilous operation on your own. Always call in a Tree Removal expert or Arborist who will do the job for you. Contact a couple of tree removal service companies; take their quotes and methods of operation so that you have a clear idea on how the operation will be planned. The lowest quote does not imply the best job nor does the highest quote. Instead let the company come over, look at your tree and let them take you through the entire process and give their honest opinion on how they plan to cut the tree as well as take care of the rest of your surroundings. Debris removal and clearing of your property should also be a part of the quote. There are various tree removal techniques that a company may want to make use of. Some popular methods are: 1. Traditional removal - the expert begins by chopping off the branches, using a safety rope and harness. At the top the upper sections of the tree are systematically cut off and allowed to fall on the ground. When the tree is of reasonable height, the entire tree is cut and allowed to fall. 2. Spar Pole rigging - the branches are trimmed up to the top as usual, but instead of the traditional method of allowing the upper portion of the trunk to freefall a rope is rigged to the trunk and it is pulled down carefully. This prevents any structural or property damage to the surrounding area. 3. Whole tree rigging - wherein the entire tree that is the branches and trunk is dismantled by a rigging rope. Though time consuming, this operation is especially feasible for areas which are populated, have a lot of utility lines and high rise buildings. The structures will remain undamaged and the tree will also be removed successfully leaving your property open for further development. The usual method of cutting down a tree by an expert involves making an undercut and a back cut to the tree with a chainsaw, after determining the angle at which the tree is leaning and is most likely to fall. The undercut is made in a V shape at a 90 degree angle. The back cut is made on the opposite side of the undercut about 2 inches from the hinge of the undercut. This allows the tree to easily fall. Wearing a safety helmet, goggles, using the right equipment, determining the fall line of the tree and making the cut at the right angle ensures that the tree is correctly cut and also rules out damage to persons and property. So the next time you plan to remove a tree, you will know what to expect and be able to get the best deal out of the company which offers you this service. By: Chipper LLC Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Chipper LLC Tree Service in Alpharetta, provides Tree Removal, Tree Removal Atlanta GA, Tree Removal Roswell, Tree Trimming, Stump Grinding and many related Tree Services. Our mission is to earn your business by providing superior quality tree work and customer service at unbeatable prices! |
AuthorWilly TA Mills is just another regular guy. I just wanted to talk about different things going on. What I like and have fun with it. Archives
November 2017
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