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Whether you are a resort, a commercial business or a homeowner, when you are investing in logs for your outdoor fire pit or fireplace, there are several options for you to adorn your pan and outdoor burning systems with; concrete fire logs designed to look like different varieties of firewood, fire glass, lava rock, geo fire kits and custom steel fire logs.



Custom steel fire logs are a great alternative for resorts and commercial businesses for a several reasons. First off, they are durable and can sustain all the elements weather can throw at them. Secondly, related to durability and throwing, steel logs can withstand whatever drunken a-holes can throw at them, you know the ones, amateurs who get personal kicks out of trying to break stuff for their own personal entertainment. Third, they are heavy and can be bolted down to prevent theft as opposed to concrete fire logs which are simply placed in an arrangement. Next, they are contemporary in aesthetic appeal and can be customized to meet your design needs.
And finally, as the burning systems flames start kicking up, the steel logs heat up and disperse heat on top of the flames themselves.



So when you are in the market for a custom fire pit and the accessories that accompany them, keep in mind you will still need to cover your pan and burning system with some type of medium, fire glass or lava rock, as well as the fire logs. Fire logs themselves must rest on one of these mediums as they are not designed to rest directly on the pan and burning system. We here at Warming Trends will be happy to help you out with any questions you may have. Call us today for a quote! 1-877-556-5255.

Crape Myrtle Sioux

I just gazed out into my garden on this autumn day and had to share the spectacular array of color that was before me.  This is certainly one of the most beautiful fall displays we have had in a long time here in the Northeast. It is about to rain so the lighting is just right.  I had to run out with my camera in a timely fashion before the weather took a turn for the worse. It was one of those rare Canon moments that I could not resist and would probably not be able to capture again.   The Crape Myrtle Sioux is magnificent standing in all its fall glory displaying hues of orange to red and the grasses are displaying their showy plumes and golden color.  The flower caps on the Sedum Brilliant are now a fiery orange-red and the heuchera are showing off a brilliant  burgundy glow.  A blend of oranges, reds and gold playfully dance in the wind as displayed by Spirea Gold Flame.   Then onto the Coral Bark Maple that glows like golden rays of sunshine and this specimen will soon show off its spectacular fiery red bark in winter.   The Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Golden Oriental Spruce now against the oranges and gold of fall are absolutely vibrant.  This is just a brief moment captured in time that will change again tomorrow and the next day and the next until this show is over and winter sets in.  Then the gentle flakes of snow will settle on the garden and bring forth even more to gaze at in awe.  A garden really is forever changing and can be enjoyed throughout every season of the year. There is always something new to encounter and this fall display is a real crowd pleaser. Enjoy the photos! 


Dwarf Fountain Grass, Sedum and Juniperus Blue Star



Crape Myrtle in Background with Hinoki Cypress Aurea to left

Coral Bark Maple



Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar (Back Left), Golden Oriental Spruce Skylands (Right), Barberry & Nepeta



Coral Bark Maple (Back Left), Golden Oriental Spruce Skylands (Right), Barberry(Front Center)

Crape Myrtle Sioux and Weeping Norway Spruce

You can change many things in your backyard to make it more beautiful, serene and welcoming to guests. Unfortunately, some times there is nothing you can do about the second story neighbors next door that take smoke breaks on their balcony every time youre sunbathing, or that uber-bright multi-colored 40 foot high play set.

There are a few things you can do, though, aside from moving far far away from your neighbors. You can hire a landscape designer or architect to create backyard landscape designs customized to your space and needs. Though, if you are a do-it-yourself type of person or on a tight budget, you can create a natural privacy screen with just the help of your local garden center.

Step number one is to lay out where you want your privacy screen. Start with a quick sketch on paper of your backyard. If you have the measurements of your backyard, note them in your sketch.

To create this natural screen, you will want to plant a row of trees that will grow into a "wall of green" that will become a tall hedge. Take your backyard landscape designs to your garden center or nursery and find a knowledgeable person who can spend some time with you. Tell them you are creating a natural privacy screen with evergreen trees (which will stay green throughout the year). You should ask for planting, watering, pruning regimens and the spacing requirements of each tree variety, which will determine how many you will need.

Your nursery or garden-center expert will know which trees will be suitable for your climate zone. To get you started, ask about these trees that make great hedges and windbreaks:

• The Pyramidal Arborvitae is an evergreen tree with bright green foliage and one of the best selling hedge plants in America.
• The "New" Quick Shade Imperial Carolina is a fast growing tree form, which grows six feet per year.
• The Hybrid Poplar Populus deltoides x Populus nigra is also a fast growing plant variety and should grow six feet per year. Works very well planted as a hedge, screen, windbreak, or to line a road or drive.
• The Siberian Elm or Ulmus pumila is hardy, and drought-resistant once established. It is also considered to be a great windbreak tree when planted in rows.
• Clumping Bamboo can make a bold statement in contemporary and modern backyard landscape designs, too. You will want to plant Clumping bamboo and not Running bamboo which shoots its roots out into the rest of your garden.

Once you have your trees, take them home and plant them as soon as possible after preparing the soil. Make sure to ask about mulch for your tree choice, which hinders weeds and keep moisture in the ground.

Great natural privacy screens make great neighbors! Next, go to http://www.landscapedesignphotos.net/ to see some great backyard design photos and find more information about landscape designs by Kristen Dolan, Landscape Architecture student and photography enthusiast.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_Dolan

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