Category: CBA Outdoor Services

Spring Cleaning Is Not Just For The Interior Of Your Home

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Spring cleaning is something that invigorates many of us. This is true of not only our homes but our landscape as well. After long cold winter days we are anxious to get outside and clean up the landscape that quickly grew out of control. For some of us cleaning out landscaping is the last job that we wish to take on with everything else around our home that we have to do with spring cleaning. Landscape contractors are professionals in spring clean ups. Hiring a landscaping company will help to ensure your lawn and gardens are beautiful and can be enjoyed throughout the summer; all without a bead of sweat from you.

Prune: Spring cleaning your landscape means clearing away all the dead perennials, decay and debris that was left from the fall and winter seasons. Perennials need a good hair cut. When pruning perennials it is crucial to make sure you are only cutting them back as much as they are needed. Some require a bit of growth to be left behind to thrive.

Shrubs and trees will thrive with a little light pruning. Dead and diseased branches need to be removed for new growth to take hold.

Once the process of pruning is done it is time to clean out the bottom of the beds. A thorough raking is important as well. The debris needs to be put into a pile and composted or thrown away. The debris, if not disposed of properly can spread disease.

Edge: In order to give your landscape a well manicured, polished finish you need to edge. Edging your landscape beds clearly defines the space where your lawn meets your landscape. Doing this process yearly will keep your lawn from growing into the mulch and will add definition.

Fertilize: Proper nutrition keeps everything fueled and growing stronger this is true of your lawn and plant life. Fresh compost is best to use around plants and trees while a combination of light fertilizer and seed works to create a lush lawn. The fertilizer will help keep your plants thriving through hot, dry summer days. Fertilizer needs to be applied be before mulch to ensure that all the proper benefits are received.

Apply Pre-Emergent: Weed control is a life saver. It doesn’t eliminate your weed problems but it makes a difference overall. The pre-emergent acts as barrier to any weed seeds that are within your beds and will not allow them to germinate.

Mulch: Fresh mulch is an inexpensive addition to update your landscape. Add about an inch or two of mulch each year to keep the landscape looking pristine and well maintained. Mulch also has other benefits as well. It regulates the ground temperature and helps with retaining moisture in the root systems of your plants, shrubs and trees.

Plant/Transplant: Spring is the time to plant new landscaping and to separate plants that have grown too big for the area they are in. Splitting plants keeps your landscape in perspective and does not allow it to become overgrown and cluttered.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services, including landscaping and landscape design, throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties. For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Spring Landscaping Tips

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Spring is here!  With that comes the prospect of a thick, beautiful, lush lawn.  Every homeowner can have a lush lawn.  If you are too busy to maintain your own lawn hiring a landscape contractor is affordable and the results are something you can enjoy all throughout the summer.

Aerating

Both your lawn and garden need aeration.  This is especially true in during the spring season.  The process of aeration is one in which air is circulated through the lawn and is mixed with or dissolved in a liquid or substance.  Special equipment is used to aerate landscape.  The soil must be punctured with spikes to remove bits of cores of the soil from the ground, this is called core aeration. This process helps restore your lawns health.

Aeration improves the health of the grass at the root.  Winter weather dries out your lawn out which is why it is so important to create an environment where liquid is allowed to soak deep into the root system.  This process can be difficult and expensive therefore should be performed by a landscape professional if at all possible.

Dethatching

Thatch is the organic material that builds up over the grass bed throughout the year.  Your lawn should be dethatched at the beginning of spring.  It is necessary to remove the debris to create a solid base of healthy grass.  The dead materials compresses over the winter so a specialized tool to dethatch is used to remove the material and make room for healthy growth.  Most lawns need a small amount of thatching along with aeration to do away with disease causing agents that live within the organic material build up.

Weeding

Weeding is one of the jobs no one really loves.  The first time you weed should be after the snow thaws.  When spring comes weeds have built up and are at the most abundant they will be throughout the year.  Be sure when weeding that you take time to pull the root of the weed out.  After you remove the weeds dispose of them.  Never compost the weeds or keep them on your property as that will result in further seed distribution.

Mulching

Mulch is a simple method for caring for your flower beds and landscape.  Mulching is the process of distributing a small layer of wood chips to an area that has an area of soil.  Mulch is usually organic and includes healthy peat moss, bark chips, wood chips, straw mulch and organic materials.  Mulch helps to conserve moisture, improve fertility, reduce the growth of weeds and enhance the visual appeal.

Fertilizing

The spring and fall seasons are the perfect time to fertilize your lawn.  Fertilization is important as it provides nutrition’s to the grass root system.  It is important to feed the roots with a thin layer of compost and natural fertilizers, such as manure, will nourish your grass and plants to create a healthy landscape.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services, including landscaping and landscape design, throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties.  For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Bring On Spring Landscaping

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The winter season has been miserably cold with temperatures reaching record lows.  Most of us have been held up in our homes trying to make the most of these bitter cold days.  We venture outside long enough to take the trash out and run back inside to try to warm up from the excursion.  The minute the birds start to chirp here in the north you can bet that most of us will be taking advantage of the warmth by starting our spring landscape maintenance.  Below you will find some information to get you ready for when the spring finally gets here.

One thing to remember no matter how warm it gets throughout March and April hold off on the urge to start your irrigation system and sprinklers.  Wait until May, until the potential for frost is gone, to begin preparing your sprinkler system.  Your lawn has plenty of moisture stored so the need for supplemental moisture really doesn’t come into play until the beginning or middle of May anyhow.

When the temperatures start to warm and the probability of a freeze is gone it is time to start preparing your trees for the warmth that is about to occur.  Any tree that has been wrapped for the winter should be unwrapped and the burlap should be removed from the bushes.  Now is not the time to prune your trees and bushes.  Spring is when they are budding and most susceptible to stress.  It is best to wait until after the trees and bushes have begun to blossom until you trim are able to tell what is living.

Your perennials and ornamental grass is a different story.  You should take time at the start of spring to trim them down.  This will allow them to regenerate bigger and better than they were the previous year.  Be careful with certain perennials and grasses as they may not need to be trimmed down as far down as others.  If you are unsure it is best to talk with or hire a landscaper to come in and assist you with spring clean up.

Springtime is also the time of year where you split fall blooming perennials and grasses and transplant them throughout the landscaping.  This will give the plants plenty of time to grow throughout the season so that when they bloom in late summer there will be more of them for you to enjoy.

Mulch is another spring time maintenance task.  Remove any extra mulch that was put in place to protect the trees from the harsh winter.  Less mulch surrounding the plants and trees will allow the extra moisture to soak into the plants roots.  With too much mulch in place or extra leaf debris there is a chance for root rot, mold and insect damage.

All this talk about spring landscape maintenance makes it a bit more difficult to face the facts that we have a little ways to go until it gets here.  Head to the home improvement store to get a head start on buying new spring maintenance tools, fertilizer and debris bags that may help tide you over until spring comes back to us cold folk in the north.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services, including landscaping and landscape design, throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties.  For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Planning For Front Yard Landscaping

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Spring is right around the corner and with it comes important landscaping projects.  The front yard landscape is important because it is the most visible aspect of the yard.  It adds to the homes curb appeal and is seen by every person who enters your home through the front door.  Keep that in mind when you are designing your front yard landscape.

Take the Design Of The Home Into Account

When planning the details of the landscaping choose materials that flow with the homes design.  The large structures, such as the walkway, should complement with the home’s exterior.  A smooth transition between your homes landscape and the exterior of the house will create harmony.

Consider your home’s exterior material.  If your home is made of brick, it is essential to carry the hues of the brick into the landscape.  You may even want to include the same bricks into the walkway.  This will help echo the colors of the home onto the ground and then work on bringing it into the landscaping trees, plants and flowers.  Another way to tie the landscape into the home is to match or echo the color of the roofing.  If you make the dominant color of the landscape the same as the roof color you create an appealing visual to the eye.

Pay Special Attention To The Front Yard Walkways

The walkways in the front yard welcome people to your home.  Take care to create a walkway path that flows with the design of your driveway.  People need to be able to walk on the path without brushing into any elements of the landscape.  Create a path that has room for your landscaping to grow without ending up in the walkway.  Lighting is another way to tie the exterior of the home to the landscape.  Choose solar powered lights that match the lighting of the exterior of the home.  Not only will harmony be created between the landscape and home’s exterior, the use of lighting will make your yard safer too.

Add Some Color

Once the layout is set and the materials for the hard aspects of the landscape are in place it is time to think about the trees, shrubs and plants.  Choosing trees and shrubs you need to make sure to take into account the size that they will become as they mature.  Not only will the tree grow up but also down.  The root system needs room to expand.  Once the trees and shrubs are in place add complimentary colors with flowers.  Take time to consider the amount of sun or shade that will be absorbed.  Choose flowers and plants that fit the area.

Maintenance free plants that come back year after year are the perfect addition to the landscaping.  Plan your landscape so that your annuals are set to peak in color at different times throughout the spring, summer and fall.  This will allow you to get the maximum appeal without the extra expensive of perennials.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services, including landscaping and landscape design, throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties.  For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Help Hiring A Snow Removal Company

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

After the experience of last year’s winter people in the north truly understand Mother Nature’s wrath.  Removing the snow from residential and commercial properties really took a toll on home and business owners.  It is only December and there has already been a hire demand for snow removal services than ever before.  This winter season is said to be another doozey.  In order to be prepared we suggest you look into hiring a snow removal firm that can handle all of your needs throughout the long winter season.  Below you will find a list of reasons that will help you decide if hiring a snow removal firm is right for you this year.

The first thing to consider is what it takes to remove large amounts of snow.  Many homeowners and business owners alike own a shovel and maybe a small snow blower. Both of these traditional methods of snow removal take a considerable amount of time and energy.  When you hire a professional snow removal company they are equipped with the latest tools and technology available for snow removal.  Snow removal companies are able to effectively remove the snow and ice in a short amount of time.

Companies that specialize in snow removal also have more manpower than home and business owners.  Not only do they have more people to assist in the process they also have more experiencing in getting ice and snow off of the surfaces most important for access into homes and businesses.  With the experience, tools and man power that commercial snow removal companies have at their disposal a job that would take a single person to do is done in under twenty minutes or less.

Another benefit that has been previously mentioned but deserves a bit of credit all its own is the time savings that comes with hiring professional snow removers.  Traditional snow removal takes quite a bit of time.  Sometimes it can take days for homeowners to clear the mess of a northern storm. This is why it is so beneficial to hire a professional snow maintenance company to remove snow from access points within your space and to move additional snow that has built up.

When you have a contract with a company that removes ice and snow from your business or home you need to understand that they are at your beck and call.  This means that twenty four hours a day, seven days a week for the entire season they are there to keep snow from accumulating and turn into hardened ice on you sidewalks and driveways.  Even when you are gone on vacation, they are there to ensure the snow is removed and your home is accessible.

Not only can you hire a snow removal company to clear your driveway but also to clear the exits, entrances and walk ways of your home.  This helps to keep you safe if an emergency occurs and you need to exit your home from an area that normally snow would be ignored and allowed to pile up.

There are a million reasons to consider hiring professional snow removal services this winter.  Call before their contract limit have reached capacity within the manpower they have available for seasonal snow removal services.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services, including snow removal, throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties.  For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Providing Snow Removal Services For Senior Citizens

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The winter months are some of the hardest for senior citizens.  Not only does the colder weather create issues for aging population but so does the snow.  Shoveling snow can be a hazard to the elderly.  The latest stats show that upwards of sixteen thousand people end up in emergency rooms throughout the country for snow shoveling accidents and injuries.  The risks come from not only the change in the level of mobility the aging body has but also because of the risks involved with lifting and twisting that is required as well.  Another issue is an increased risk of heart attack that occurs with seniors who are more susceptible because of pre-existing issues with their hearts.

The cold air that comes along with winter is another issue that affects senior citizens.  The freezing temperatures create conditions that make it difficult to take in deep breaths.  They also further challenge already limited mobility.  With cold air comes icy door steps, road ways and sidewalks increasing the risk of falling.  When someone who is older falls they are at a greater risk for serious injury over someone much younger.  Our bones become more brittle and susceptible to breaks and sprains as we age.

When it comes to the population of seniors amongst us now we are aware their nature is one of a more independent nature.  This can be seen with the increase in the number of seniors choosing to age in place.  This is where many winter related problems stem from when it comes to the elderly.

Despite the number of warnings shared with the aging population many still attempt to continue providing their own snow removal services.  They continue to shovel, salt and snow blow on their own as they have an overwhelming fear of entrapment as well as a fear that not continuing to do these so called normal tasks makes them appear fragile and weak.  Another reason may be because of issues that arise from living within a fixed budget.

If you know someone that falls into this category that remains either too stubborn to ask for help or financially unable there are a few things that you can do to help.

Of course if you are able bodied consider shoveling their driveway and sidewalks for them.  If it is a loved one you are concerned about that lives too far for you to travel call upon their neighbors to ask for assistance.  Sometimes the people around them are afraid to insult them by offering to help or are unaware a need is prevalent.  Another option is to call upon a local snow removal company that services others within the community in which a loved one lives and ask them what type of services they can offer within a limited budget.  It will shock you how many snow removal companies will clear the sidewalks and walk ways a bit more carefully when they know the service is being provided for an elderly citizen.

In the winter months it is so important that we take extra good care of our loved ones that are aging.  Snow removal, side walk shoveling, ice removal and laying down an extra layer of salt are ways we can all chip in to help create a safer environment for senior citizens.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services, including snow removal, throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties.  For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Entering Into A Snow Removal Contract

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

It is true, no matter how hard we try to fight it, winter is on its way.  We all know that with winter come mounds of snow, snow piled here, there and everywhere.  Snow removal is a chore that many people detest.  Knowing the snowy season is fast approaching has left many people considering the option of hiring a snow removal contractor to handle their winter needs.  If you are one of the thousands of households searching for a contractor to handle your snow removal needs this season we offer the following tips on hiring the best company for the job.

  • It is best to call around and have several companies out to estimate your snow removal job.  It is impossible for a contractor to quote you a rate over the phone.  A professional snow removal contractor would never attempt to bid out a seasonal job over the phone.The amount that you are charged will depend on a number of things including the size of the area needing to be cleared, if shoveling or snow blowing is also being requested and if excess snow needs to be removed from walk ways as well.  Also, consider if the company you are considering offers salt services.  It is important to keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be providing the detailed services your area requires.
  • Ask for references from the following season.  Check with the company’s references to see if they were satisfied with the service the company provided.  Check with references to determine if the contractor came out on their own without being called or if the homeowner had to constantly call to ask if they were planning on coming out to plow.  Ask homeowners if there was ever any damage to the landscape or property in general.  If there was and issues find out how the homeowner was compensated.
  • Look into any complaints or praises given to the snow removal contractor through the better business bureau and online.  Online reviews are often the best place to find out about how satisfied or not people have been with a company’s service.
  • When you have decided upon a company for your snow removal needs the contractor will prepare a written agreement in which you will both be required to sign.  It will lay out the exact services you will be paying for and any additional costs that could ensue.  The contractors will layout whose responsibility it is if any damage is done to the property or the surrounding area.  Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured.  Do not hire someone that is not.  You will be liable for any injury or damage that takes place on the property no matter whose fault it is.

Be realistic when hiring any service company.  It is impossible for snow removal firms to predict the amount of snow fall that will occur in the coming season or during any one instance throughout the season.  Some major snowfalls will require your patience and understanding as commercial areas are always plowed before residential clients.  It may take longer than normal for your contractor to reach you during larger snow falls or if ice is present and salt needs to be applied.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services, including snow removal, throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties. For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Fall Yard Maintenance and Lawn Care

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

With summer coming to an end and autumn beginning homeowners will need to switch up their approach to lawn care and maintenance.  The cooler temperatures that fall shares with us make it the perfect time of year to get out in the yard and start preparing the lawn for spring.  Don’t assume because the grass is growing slower that your lawn needs less care in the fall then in the summer.  In fact the opposite is true.   Your lawn is busy in the fall absorbing nutrients to with stand the long, cold winter season.  The attention you spend caring for your lawn in the fall will show in the spring.  Here are six things to think about as we begin the descending into fall.

Mowing the Lawn

You will need to keep mowing and watering your lawn throughout the fall season.  As you come to an end of the fall season, once all of the leaves have dropped, take the mower blade down to the lowest setting possible.  Cut the lawn twice on this setting a few weeks apart.  The short grass will allow for more sun to reach the crown of grass thus there will be less of the blade to brown over the winter.

When cutting the lawn it is as important to in the fall as it is in the spring and summer to only cut about a third of the grass blade at any given time mowing.  It is better to cut the lawn once completely and lower the blade setting to mow the lawn a second time for a shorter cut to get the grass short enough for the fall season.

Soil Aeration

It is crucial to aerate your lawn during the fall season.  This will allow for water, fertilizer and oxygen to reach deep into the root system of the lawn.  Aeration can be done with special shoes designed to punch holes in the grass or by renting a walk behind aerator.  If this seems like an all too daunting task hire a lawn care maintenance company to aerate the lawn.

Leaf Care

Raking leaves has to be one of the most daunting tasks to accomplish throughout the fall season.  It is also one of the most important.  Don’t wait until ever last leaf has fallen to begin raking.  The leaves underneath will start to get wet and stick together making a barrier that will suffocate your grass and create a large amount of fungal growth.

If raking isn’t your thing you can mow your lawn with a bagging mower and dispose of the leaves.  Another option is to blow the leaves with a leaf blower.  This may be the most effective way to remove leaves from your lawn.  Some counties allow for leaf burning during certain periods of time.  This option makes disposing of fall leaves a lot easier over the rubbish collection bags.

Lawn Fertilization

If you are only going to fertilize your lawn only once a year plan to do it during the fall season.  Grass blades grow slower in the fall but the same is not true for the root system.  Grass roots continue to grow quickly throughout the fall season and therefore suck in a variety of essential nutrients that they can only get through fall fertilization.  This will give your lawn a healthy start in the spring.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties.  For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Transitioning Your Lawn Care From Summer To Fall Maintenance

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The care that your lawn needs changes from season to season.  When the bright sun starts to fade into vibrant fall leaves the needs of your landscaping change.  Superior yard care can occur even if you don’t have the time to spend every minute in the yard this article will provide you the exact information you need to maximize the time you do have.

Every job is made easier with the right tools.  This is so true when it comes to gardening.  A mower with a sharp blade is so important.  It is essential that you sharpen the blade to your lawn more at least once a year but more preferable two times.  In addition to a sharper mower blade make sure you buy a hose that is convenient to store, a quality rake, an edger, clippers and gloves.

The best tip anyone can give you is to really take care of your grass.  Lawn care is super important and can be maintained by raking your lawn before and after you mow.  Raking does not have to be difficult simply run a rake through your yard and you will be so pleased with the outcome.  Raking before and after you mow will leave your lawn looking amazing, while keeping problems away.

When it comes to mowing your lawn it is important that you know when to mow and when not to mow.  Never mow when the heat is on.  Mow your lawn during the early morning hours or late after sunset.  The same is true for trimming trees and bushes; never mow or trim in the heat of the day. Mowing in the early morning or late night will prevent shock to the lawn and landscaping.

The next step after the lawn is mowed is to trim the outer portion of the lawn. Don’t take it too close to the ground; match the edges to the length of your grass.  Blending the edging with your lawn’s length will help to blend the landscape and creating a brilliant landscape.

August is the perfect time to take care of all the hedges that have become overgrown with the abundance of rain the spring and summer have created.  Try not to cut too deep, this will leave bare patches.  Cut hedges back, traditional form for hedges is either rounded or squared.  This will help you create a lawn and landscape that is easy to maintain throughout every season.

Creating a landscape and lawn can be rewarding for any homeowner.   Often times it isn’t a matter of money but time that prevents homeowners from creating a perfect landscape.  If this describes you and your home consider hiring a local landscape company.  Local lawn care specialists are aware of what your lawn needs to flourish while you wreak the benefits.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties.  For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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Summer Landscaping Tips

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Landscaping care is important in every season especially summer. As our seasons change so must the manner in which you care for your lawn and landscape. Summer landscaping should be centered on creating and maintaining an environment that can be thoroughly enjoyed without spending too much of your spare time. The following are summer tips to help create a landscape that time can be spent and memories made.

1) The first thing to keep in mind is how the space within your yard is used. If you have children you will want space to allow them to run around that is free of obstructions but that also maintains an outer boundary. If you prefer to use the space for entertainment and know that many weekends will be spent around a campfire you may consider turning your landscape into more of a patio area centering on a bon-fire pit. If you prefer a more adult landscape to enjoy afternoon tea consider special seating with a focus on beautiful flowers that bring butterflies in and mosquitos out.

2) Your landscape and lawn care should incorporate getting water to your landscape plants and lawn. In the summer to avoid grass and flowers from drying make sure that they are receiving at least an inch of water each week. It is best to water in the early morning or late evening to avoid as much water evaporation. Even though plants and grass need a certain amount of water to survive make sure that you are not saturating the area. Too much water can be just as bad as not enough.

3) Weeding is an essential element in every lawn and landscape. In flower beds use weed barrier to prevent an overabundance of weeds. When it comes to your grass consider using weed control treatments. Fertilization and aeration are all essential for your grass as well. Weeds take away valuable nutrients that are needed to maintain a healthy lush lawn.

4) When looking into fertilizers for your lawn consider only those that offer a slow release and low nitrogen content. Slow release fertilizers continue to give the lawn nutrients throughout the lawn and plants growing season.

5) Mow your lawn frequently using a sharp mower blade. Your grass should be about two and a half to three inches when mowing is necessary. Cutting more than one third of the grass at one time can cause damage to the blade and root system which in turn creates bare spots and brown patches.

Seasonal lawn care changes are needed to create a lush space to entertain no matter what season. Use the summer to boost the fullness in your lawn as well as the color throughout your flower beds.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties. For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

CBA Outdoor Services

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