Some examples of columnar trees include: Columnar apple (Malus spp.) Columnar peach (Prunus persica ‘Crimson Rocket’) Dawyck gold beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Gold’) Leyland cypress (X Cupressocyparis leylandii) Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra ‘Italica’) Some examples of fastigiate trees include: Upright European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’)Fastigiate Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo biloba ‘Fastigiata’)Upright European beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Fastigiata’) Some examples of irregular trees include: Scarlet curls willow (Salix matsudana ‘Scarlet Curls’) Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) Tartarian maple (Acer tartaricum) Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)...

Consider the following key factors when choosing a plant for drought-tolerance, whether it’s a tree, a shrub, a ground cover, or a perennial: Soil type. Something that qualifies as a drought-resistant plant in a wonderfully loamy soil may struggle during a dry spell if it’s growing in sandy soil (through which water pours quickly, as through a sieve). Competition for resources. When you plant under trees, the available resources are scarce because a tree not only blocks sunlight and rainfall, it also takes a lot of water for itself....

Some Electricity Basics The electrical current in your home’s wiring system consists of a flow of electrons within metal circuit wires. The current comes in two forms, a negative and a positive charge, and this charged electrical field is created by huge generators operated by the utility company, sometimes many hundreds of miles away. It is this polarized charge than effectively constitutes the flow of electrical current, and it arrives at your home through a vast network of high-tension service wires, substations, and transformers that blanket the landscape....

To give some quantification to the issue of wood species hardness, the lumber industry created the Janka hardness scale—a standard now widely accepted as the best means of ranking a wood’s hardness. The Janka test measures the amount of force needed to drive a 0.444-inch steel ball into wood to a depth equal to half its diameter. The higher the rating, the harder the wood. While there are other elements that go into how a wood species performs as a flooring material, the Janka scale will give you a good idea of whether your wood floor will last for decades to come or will quickly surrender to the onslaught of dog claws and foot traffic....

Fake plants may have a bad reputation, but modern iterations are impressively realistic. Especially with the resurgence of plants as decor, you may be looking for a way to update your home. Unfortunately, live plants mean maintenance and the possibility that it won’t thrive in your home. The Vickerman Ficus Bush is one plant you might try out in your home if you want green decor without worrying about keeping it alive....

The terms vine tomato and bush tomato can be confusing because all tomatoes grow on vines. There is no plant called a tomato bush. These plants are described as either vining or bush for the shape they take on they mature. Vining tomatoes are often described as being indeterminate, which is a term applied to tomato plants that continue to grow and produce fruit until a frost. But not all indeterminate tomatoes are vining varieties....

There are several manufacturers of this tool, including Ramset, Dewalt, and Hilti. Some styles work by striking a hammer to the end of the tool, which sets off the gunpowder charge; others have a trigger that is pulled to fire the cartridge. Safety Considerations Always load the nail first, then the cartridge. If you have the cartridge loaded before inserting the nail, there is a chance that the charge may detonate accidentally and fire the nail into you....

By gaining a better understanding of the GPF of the toilet, it becomes easier to see the effects of excessive flushing or unreasonable water usage on your bills. This metric is even used by the government to limit the water usage of standard toilets and improve water conservation across the country. So, what are gallons per flush? Gallons Per Flush (GPM) Strictly speaking, gallons per flush or GPF is a metric to measure the volume of water a toilet uses with each flush....

The Importance of Nitrogen in Fertilization Landscapers, gardeners, and farmers value nitrogen-fixing plants for their ability to contribute an essential plant nutrient (namely, nitrogen) to the soil. Nitrogen is one of “the big three,” being the “N” in NPK, the three letters that form a virtual stamp of approval for a complete fertilizer. Nitrogen is important for plants because it is essential to photosynthesis. By exploiting the process of nitrogen fixation, you can obtain this plant nutrient for your soil without resorting to chemical fertilizers....

The weatherhead’s rounded cap is essential to protecting the service wires and preventing water, dirt, and pests from infiltrating the service mast and damaging the service wires. The Service Entrance Components The assembly of structural parts and wiring that connects your home to the utility power grid is known collectively as the service entrance. The service entrance starts at the transformer on the utility’s power pole. The heavy insulated wires and metal cable strung overhead from the transformer to your house are called the service drop....

Where and When Do You Need Them Some anti-siphon devices are available for situations in which a hose may be left dangling from a faucet—such as outdoor garden spigots, a faucet in laundry washrooms, or situations where the faucet or hose is below the flood level rim of the fixture. Most other applications have no such need since the faucet spout is located a safe distance from any drain water. These anti-siphon devices are essentially one-way valves designed to stop the flow of potentially contaminated water back into the drinkable (potable) water supply....

Because the definition of biomass is so broad, fuels that can be considered “biomass” include a wide variety of items and researchers are discovering new biomass energy sources all the time. Animal manure, landfill waste, wood pellets, vegetable oil, algae, crops like corn, sugar, switchgrass, and other plant material—even paper and household garbage—can be used as a biomass fuel source. Biomass fuel can be converted directly into heat energy through combustion, like the burning of a log in a fireplace....

Fiber cement siding is sometimes confused with asbestos-cement siding, a shingle-format type of siding widely used in the first half of the 20th century and which has since been discontinued. Fiber cement siding does not contain asbestos. Characteristics of Fiber Cement Siding One of the most desirable qualities of fiber cement board is that it is so durable. Unlike wood siding, fiberboard siding does not rot or require frequent repainting....

Details About the Oregano Plant The leaves of the oregano plant are very small and a dark green color. It is a perennial in many zones and the stems can become woody over the years. Oregano produces tiny white, pink, or purple flowers which are very attractive to pollinating bees. There are many varieties of oregano that you can plant in your garden. Common oregano like you often find in the grocery store is also called ‘Greek’ oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum, formerly known as Oregano heracleoticum)....

Things to Consider Before Purchasing Fencing Lumber Not just any lumber will do for wood fencing. You have to factor in your environment, how much you have to spend, how it will look, and how much lumber you will need. Climate Choose the wood that will be able to stand up to your home’s environment. You need the fence to deter decay and be long-lasting. When selecting a type of lumber for your fence, consider weather factors like rain, snow, heat, sun, and humidity....

Even if you’re feeling ready to get settled into your space and add a few sets of curtains to your online shopping cart, we encourage you to take a few moments to brush up on the how-tos of curtain shopping. Selecting the proper length of curtains is key to ensure that your room looks intentionally designed and sophisticated, after all. Not sure what factors to keep in mind before making a purchase?...

If you have a king-size bed, though, it can be tricky to find the perfect fit. The key is a rug that is well-proportioned and complements your existing aesthetic. One that’s too big can make a room feel crowded, whereas one that’s too small can look out of place. Here are tips for how to choose the best sized rug for your king bed. What Should Go on the Area Rug?...

If you’re short on ideas, we’ve come up with several clever uses for old sheets that could improve your life. For instance, these projects could help you eliminate waste in your home or help you become a more efficient gardener. It’s worth noting that you don’t need to have a set of ragged sheets to partake. Do you stock too many sheets in general? Many home organization experts recommend keeping no more than two sets of sheets per bed....

The term “spool,” when used in the spa and swimming pool trade, blends the word “spa” and “pool.” The term is something of a colloquialism and is generally not used by manufacturers, who usually market these products as “swim spas.” Most often, spools or swim spas are prefabricated above-ground features, but you can also have an in-ground spool pool constructed, which might be a good choice if your yard doesn’t have space for a full-sized in-ground pool....

About Nyjer Nyjer is a small, thin, black seed from the African yellow daisy (Guizotia abyssinica). Though it is not related to the thistle plant, Nyjer is often referred to casually as “thistle seed.” High in oil, it is a nutritious source of energy for backyard birds and is one of the most popular types of birdseed. Depending on crops, import prices, and retailer options, however, it can also be one of the most expensive birdseeds....