NoseToNoseWithNature

Nature is dynamic, and it goes through cycles. Trees (and other organisms) have specified responses and characteristics that allow them to survive in certain environments. Planting them in environments they don't have natural responses to often means they'll struggle, decline, and often die. So, don't do it.

Tree branches fail for a lot of complex reasons. Motion, weight, angle of attachment, decay, and loads all influence why branches break. Understanding biomechanics and engineering can help explain, and even predict failures, but it's not for the uneducated. ISA advanced tree risk assessors who have the TRAQ credential are the experts. Don't believe most of what you find on the internet.

Myths about tree roots are all over the internet. They need to be challenged and eliminated if we really want our urban and natural forests to survive. Right now, those myths are literally killing trees, and people are fooled into thinking other things are the cause. Protect roots.

How trees get so big and live so long often is due to very specific wood it grows based on the forces it encounters. Did you know that you can move and bend a small tree repeatedly over time, and it will grow differently than a small tree that's left alone? It's a marvel of Nature.

Emerald Ash Borer is a devastating pest to all sorts of Ash trees. Roughly half a billion Ash trees in North America have been killed by it. It's moving out from the Great Lakes region, and it's likely headed your way. Know the signs, how it moves, and treatments.

Damage done to trees by companies masquerading as tree "care" companies. Don't hire these types. "I've been doing this for 30 years" is NOT a qualification. They may have been doing it wrong the whole time. And there's science to determine if they are.

A look at how my former company separated itself by our work. I know of no other company that can do this type of work. Look for yourself. You only see this type of work at estates of the wealthy or famous. My work is my business card, and why I didn't need to advertise. Training available upon request. ;-)

It's likely we're approaching 500 million Ash trees killed in N. America by Emerald Ash Borer. It's having specific effects on our woodlands. What happens next? And just because something is oozing from a tree, doesn't mean it's the end of a tree.

In Nature, specific conditions are required for different trees to establish and grow. All conditions are not right for all species. That's important to understand for your landscape. Evergreens have specific needs too, and many people and companies do not understand that. And yes, I said Spruce instead of Pine and went off on a tangent... I told you these were unedited.

Every time you encounter Nature, you'll probably see things you've never seen before. Like this. This is called Beech Blight Aphid. It's generally not harmful in small populations, but because they produce honeydew that can drip down on things, many people think they need to be killed. That thinking is causing all sorts of problems. Get educated, and Nature will benefit.

Most decisions we make about the trees around us are based on what we want, not what is good for trees. And that's a big reason so many trees are unhealthy and dying. We need to stop forcing trees to bend to our will and our wants.

The internet is full of wrong information about the most basic truths about trees, but it almost entirely ignores the importance of soil. The truth about soil will help save trees. Educate yourself so you can protect your trees. Soil ignorance kills.

As a Consulting Arborist, it's very disheartening to tell someone their tree is unhealthy or dying. I've done it hundreds of times. It's even worse when you tell them the reason is because whoever planted it, planted it wrong. It was totally avoidable. The property owner is sad, I'm frustrated, and the tree is dead. It simply needs to stop.

There are so many myths and misconceptions about roots, I could write a book. So many bad things happen to trees, plants, and soil because people and companies don't understand them. Plus, the importance of food for plants. Hint: It's not what people are trying to sell you.

Lots of people talk about how good Nature is for us. It's not just "tree huggers" nonsense. Science and research back it up. It's amazing, really. Just some thoughts on how good being around Nature is for us.

A branch falls, it has fungus/mushrooms on it. What does it mean? To many tree companies, your fear is their next job.

The differences in trees go much deeper than their names (Oak, Elm, Maple...). Their biology, their wood structure, their susceptibility to pests and pathogens. Often times insects and diseases target specific trees. You can waste money, even do damage to trees if you or your landscaper don't know the difference.

The newest wood around a tree is crucial to its survival. It contains the "vascular system". Blood vessels are your vascular system. You don't want to damage yours, nor do you want to damage your tree's. So be careful around them.

A hole in a tree. Not an uncommon sight. In many ways it's just Nature being Nature. But does that mean a tree is unsafe? Well, only a Tree Doctor, with appropriate credentials can tell you. A dude with a truck and a chainsaw is not a good resource. Here are a few tips.

Planting trees is good, and important. Using national science-based standards is even more important because, frankly, most trees are planted improperly. Most people and companies do not know how to plant trees properly. A million trees planted wrong is a disaster in the making.

If you don't understand how and why trees and plants do what they do, then you really understand nothing. How do trees: Produce food. Use water. Grow in soil. Process nutrients. Repair injuries. Fight off decay and disease. Without understanding basic processes, you likely harm your plants.

Growing towards the light. It's what plants and trees do. Not understanding the critical importance of light will cause you or your landscaper to misdiagnose what may be happening in your landscape, and put your investment at risk.

The more insistent people are when they talk about Nature, the more skeptical I am of what they say. Anyone who works with or around Nature for any amount of time, should be humbled by it. Living things are always in a state of flux. Certainty is not possible with Nature. Just ask your doctor.

I love Nature. My career for over 20 years has been learning and teaching about the benefits and care of Nature. What that has reminded me - often painfully - is that Nature doesn't give a damn about me. We need to understand and appreciate that more than we do. It shouldn't be a surprise to us.

The cyclical nature of Nature is crucial to understand, as well as plan for. The best way to do that is to get educated about Nature. The more you know, the fewer mistakes will be made, and the harder it will be for the uneducated to create a living doing bad things to it. And that would be a good thing.