Journal
The tree care journal.
Plain-English guides on trimming, removal, storms, tree health, planting and cost, written for homeowners, property managers and business owners.
Tree HealthHow to Read Tree Rings (and Estimate a Tree’s Age)Every ring tells a story of wet years, dry years and good years. Learn how rings form, how to count them and how to estimate a living tree's age without cutting it.
Removal and SafetyA Storm-Ready Tree Checklist for Middle TennesseeThunderstorms, straight-line winds and ice all test trees differently. This checklist helps you spot the weak points and fix them before the next big storm.
Tree HealthProtecting Trees During ConstructionTrenches, grading and heavy machines kill more trees than storms. Learn how to protect roots, plan around trees and keep the shade you paid for.
Trimming and CareTree Topping: Why You Should Say NoTopping chops a tree back to stubs and calls it trimming. It weakens the tree, shortens its life and invites rot. Here is what to ask for instead.
Planning and CostHow to Choose a Shade Tree for a Middle Tennessee YardSize, soil, storms and roots all matter. This guide helps you pick a shade tree that will thrive for decades without lifting your drive or dropping limbs on your roof.
Trimming and CareCrape Myrtle Pruning Done Right (and the Mistake to Avoid)Cutting crape myrtles to stumps every winter is common and harmful. Learn how to thin, shape and lift them so they bloom well and keep their graceful look.
Planning and CostHow to Hire a Tree Service Without RegretsTree work is dangerous, and not every crew is equal. Ten questions to ask, what a good estimate looks like and the red flags that should make you hang up.
Tree HealthEmerald Ash Borer in Tennessee: What Owners Should KnowThis small metallic beetle has killed millions of ash trees. Learn the signs, why dead ash trees get dangerous fast and when treatment is worth considering.
Planning and CostStump Grinding vs Stump RemovalOne chews the stump down below the lawn. The other pulls out the whole root mass. Here is how to decide, what each costs in time and mess and what you can plant afterward.
Removal and SafetyWhat to Do When a Tree Falls on Your HouseStay calm, stay out, and call the right people in the right order. A short checklist for the first hour after a tree hits your roof, with what to photograph and what to leave…
Removal and SafetySeven Signs a Tree Is About to FallTrees rarely fail without warning. These seven signs, from a growing lean to heaved soil to mushrooms, tell you when to call an arborist before the storm does.
Trimming and CareThe Best Time to Trim Trees in TennesseeDormant-season pruning suits many trees, but not all. This guide walks through the calendar, from oaks and maples to crape myrtles and spring bloomers.
Planning and CostHow Much Does Tree Removal Cost?Height, access and what is under the tree set the price. Here is how to read a tree removal estimate and what makes one job cost far more than another.
Tree HealthHow to Tell if a Tree Is DyingA bare crown in summer is the obvious sign. These quieter clues, from bark to roots to buds, tell you much earlier whether a tree is struggling or already gone.