Don’t be “that” guy! – Sticks & Stones

Don’t be “that” guy!

ingrown tags

On my commute to work I pass a recently landscaped site that has a lot of plants still sporting their plastic tags.

I say "recent" but I really mean SEVERAL MONTHS. Seeing those tags flapping in the wind really detracted from a very nice landscape job!

oak with tags

Nursery growers and re-wholesalers put tags on plants for identification, not for decoration. I can see leaving the tag on for a few days on a residential job so the homeowner knows what was planted. But you probably gave them a landscape plan with everything identified on it, making those bright plastic tags unnecessary. On some commercial jobs I’ve seen tags left on for years, until they weathered off. It's not a good look.

tags left on

Not only does the tag look bad, it is unhealthy for the plant. Plastic tags can girdle branches on trees, and large portions of smaller shrubs. I have personally removed tags that have become embedded in the bark as the plant grew. It does take a few extra minutes, but having your crew take those tags off will make your install look as professional as it should. Have them do this as the parting site-cleanup as they remove scraps of burlap, lengths of tagging ribbon, and snarls of tying twine. You want your client - and all his friends and neighbors - to admire your work without distraction.

tags left on
David Krajniak