HOME '& GARDEN Used incorrectly, trimmers can kill STRING OR fishing line trim- around the bark of the trees mers, whether electric or gas themselves. The results of weekly All Entertainment Centres, T.V. Stands, Stereo Stands, Desks & Selected Bookcases . Floor Models only, scratches or marks included New styles coming in soon!! Powered, are used by gardeners to trim around lawns, flower beds and individual trees and shrubs in gardens both farge and small. Most people, including profes- sionals, use them incorrectly. For years garden com- municators have been advising that during the summer months, at least, lawn mowers should be set high so the grass is at least five centimetres or two inches high after the cutting is done. This is not only a strong deterrent to weeds, it also helps drought-proof a lawn. While some gardeners have caught on to this technique with the lawn mower, the same cannot be said about string trimmers. According to the Canadian Garden Council, most home gardeners. as well as profes- sionals, use these machines to cut the grass around the lawn edges and flower beds, and at the base of trees to within one millimetre of its life. Often, these closely cut edges turn brown due to the scalping. But, it's around trees that the Canadian Garden Council is em- phasizing. Use of any type of str- ing trimmer around any young or newly-planted trees, and even around some thinner-bark mature trees (such as honey-locusts) can cause severe damage to the bark. This damage can be so bad that in just a couple of years the tree or trees go into demise, and die. It is most important, therefore, abso- lutely not to have the fast spinn- ing cord of any fishing line or str- ing trimmer touch the bark of any tree, The best way to prevent this is to cut just a small circle of sod away from the base of each tree, and trim that edge rather than bombardment of thin tree bark by string trimmers should not be under-emphasized as many gardeners do. Once you notice damage, it’s usually too late, as the bruising is around the entire circumference. Damage to the bark itself, while not good, is not the cause of death to the trees. What does cause a quick death is damage to the xylem and phloem tissues through which the trees conduct water up and down the trunk. Without these vessels, always located just below the bark sur- face, the trees are unable to sur- vive. The damage from string trimmers amounts to the same as can be caused by rabbits chewing around the bark of newly planted trees during the winter. And, the results are the same too — death of the trees. As mentioned, older, thin-bark trees too can be affected, as can mature trees with thick bark. Ur- ban arborists have often witnessed semi-mature maples or other thick-bark trees severely damaged by regular use of a string trimmer. The Canadian Garden Council urges you to keep the apparently harmless string trimmers away from your trees. The same applies to their use for trimming the edge of your lawn, along sidewalks or garden beds. While you'll not likely kill the turf, you certainly will scalp it, which means it will need additional moisture just to keep it green, and there will be a greater chance of crabgrass and/ or broadleaf weeds gaining a foothold in that part of the lawn. As with all other tools, the str- ing trimmer can be a great work- saving aid to gardeners. But, used incorrectly, it can also cause a great deal of damage. DOUBLE 'S' CEDAR HOME Orstobutor. PANAFAB CEDAR HOMES LTD. 14771 - 64th AVE., SURREY, B.C. V3S 1X6 MANUFACTURER OF QUALITY CEDAR HOMES AND CABINS PREFABRICATED DO IT YOURSELF PACKAGES OR USE OUR ERECTION CREWS (604) 596-6737 FAX (604)591-9154 Over 4000 CLOSETS ORGANIZED CANADIAN CLOSET on the North shore! | Become another Happy Customer, and receive a FREE TIE RACK with purchase of a closet organizer. * Cannot be combined with anv other offers OFFER EXPIRES JULY 31 1385 Crown St. N. Van. 986-4263 You pay only U A a the Regular Price * with this ad only’ ‘ a 993 West st S mci, Wildl 984-3255. FA LEATHER S°A° LE UP TO HOFF ALL LEATHER FLOOR MODELS LOVE SEATS + OCCASIONAL CHAIRS SLEEPER BEDS «+ SOFAS SECTIONALS - RECLINERS Choose from Western Canada’s Largest Selection of Leather Furniture—over 200 pieces on display! LEATHER WORLD AN Spe a sar lytied: Satte hotag bt Carthy tiers VANCOUVER 2876 RUPERT ST. at Grandview Hwy. 43 STACY 437-8229 sounors Ligebaetys Orders, Cah ottee ilfesr Chores, fometiagy LEATHER SOFAS from *799 fas showed matching low: seals & chaws at similiae savings, HOURS Friday 3am-9pm Saturday 9am -6pm Sunday 10am-5pm