category: Tree Care

Trees are the backbone of any well-designed landscape, providing shade, privacy, beauty, and ecological benefits. While we often focus on factors like flower color, fall foliage, or mature size, the inherent shape or form of a tree is arguably the most critical element in landscape design. A tree’s silhouette dictates its visual impact, how it interacts with structures, and its functional role in the garden. Understanding the various natural tree shapes allows you to select species that complement your home’s architecture, fulfill specific design goals, and create a harmonious outdoor space. ...

The Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’) was once hailed as the perfect ornamental tree: fast-growing, tolerant of diverse conditions, and boasting beautiful white spring blossoms. However, its popularity has significantly waned due to a critical flaw: its inherently weak branch structure. As these trees mature, their narrow, upright branch angles often lead to included bark and weak points, making them highly susceptible to breakage from wind, ice, snow, or even their own weight. ...

Transforming a bushy shrub into a tree-like form, often called a “standard” or “tree form,” is a rewarding horticultural technique that can add elegance, structure, and a unique focal point to your garden. This practice involves gradually removing lower branches to expose a single trunk or a cluster of graceful multi-stems, elevating the plant’s canopy and creating a more open, architectural presence. This technique not only enhances aesthetic appeal but can also improve air circulation, allow for underplanting, and showcase attractive bark. ...

Removing a small tree from your yard can seem like a daunting task, but for trees that are genuinely small and pose minimal risk, it’s a manageable DIY project. Whether you’re clearing space for new landscaping, dealing with an unwanted sapling, or removing a tree that has simply outgrown its spot, understanding the proper techniques is crucial for both your safety and the health of your garden. Unlike large tree removals that demand professional arborists and heavy machinery, a small tree can often be tackled with basic tools and a careful, methodical approach. ...

Tree roots are powerful forces of nature, providing essential stability and nutrients to large, majestic trees. However, when planted too close to urban infrastructure, these very roots can become a significant problem, particularly for sidewalks. Heaving, cracked, and uneven sidewalks caused by tree roots are not only unsightly but also pose serious tripping hazards, leading to potential injuries and liability issues for homeowners and municipalities alike. Addressing sidewalk damage caused by tree roots requires a careful balance: protecting the tree, ensuring public safety, and maintaining property value. This guide explores the common ways tree roots cause damage, viable repair options, and strategies to prevent future problems, offering solutions for a safer and more aesthetically pleasing environment. ...

While trees are invaluable assets to our landscapes, providing shade, beauty, and environmental benefits, there comes a time when removing a tree becomes necessary. This decision is often difficult, as it marks the end of a living element that may have graced your property for decades. However, a hazardous or unhealthy tree can pose significant risks to people, property, and even other plants. Tree removal is a task that ranges from a manageable DIY project for small specimens to an extremely dangerous operation requiring professional expertise for larger trees. Understanding when removal is truly needed, local regulations, and the safest methods for execution are paramount. This guide will help you navigate the process of tree removal, ensuring safety and responsible landscape management. ...