Trees Are Key for Birds

One of my strongest memories of my paternal grandparents is feeding and watching the birds with them through their sliding glass doors on the back porch.

For many birds, trees are key for food and shelter and a diversity of trees can lead to a diversity of birds. Join us this week as we talk about how #TreesAreKey to Birds

Species Spotlight

Flowering Dogwood - Cornus florida

This week’s tree is a beautiful spring bloomer that is great for birds. There is also an interesting story involving this tree. Listen to this week’s #TreesAreKey to learn more.

Keys to Monitoring Trees

I can’t tell you how many times I have received phone calls or emails from tree owners whose tree died or turned brown overnight. It can happen, but it is rare. Usually a tree declines for months or years succumbing to stress, insects or disease.

Regularly inspecting or monitoring your trees can help you find health or structural problems while they are small and more easily dealt with.

Listen to this episode to learn the Keys to Monitoring our Trees.

Species Spotlight – Waxmyrtle, Morella cerifera is a unique evergreen Texas native that has culinary and crafting uses. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about this cool tree.

Keys to New Trees

You’ve selected the best species to plant and the best specimen at the local garden center. You’ve planted it correctly, now what?

Fall is for planting, but what should we do after our new tree is in the ground? Listen this week to learn keys to caring for new trees.

Shortleaf pine, Pinus echinata

Listen to this week’s #TreesAreKey to learn more about this southern yellow pine that may be more tolerant of fire or mowing.

Specialty Certifications Are Key

We recommend you look for an ISA Certified Arborist to help you care for your trees. You can find out more about certification in episode 69, “Credentials are Key”.

Listen to this episode to learn more about two specialty credentials – the ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist and Utility Specialist.

Working for a municipality or a utility require additional skills and abilities, and a specialty credential can help you find the right person to serve your community or utility.

Sassafras, Sassafras albidum, is a Texas native tree which can be beautiful in the fall and has a culinary history. Listen to this week’s episode to find out how the plot thickens.

Right now is a great time to plant trees for much of the United States, particularly in warmer areas like Texas.

We have talked about planting in previous episodes and today we will review the pros and cons of staking trees. I recently had a great conversation with Haywood Morgan, the City Forester in Denton, which spurred this topic.

Sweet gum, Liquidambar styraciflua is a large, Texas native tree with a memorable fruit structure. Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more about this colorful tree.

Did you know that Texas has more Tree Campus USA schools than any other state?

We talked about Tree City USA, a program from Arbor Day Foundation, in episode 50. It’s great recognition for communities that care for their trees.

Did you know that colleges and universities can be recognized for their efforts? Listen to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn more as we cover the Keys to Tree Campus USA.

Species Spotlight – Carolina basswood Tilia americana var. caroliniana is a great large Texas native tree that supports our pollinators. The sweet, light-colored honey from this tree is a special treat.

Keys to Tree Support Systems

Have you ever walked out of the house and found half of your tree lying on the ground? No? Consider yourself lucky.

I had one customer that had nine beautiful flowering pears when she went to sleep and the next morning more than half of them had split apart and we had to remove them. As a tree guy, I know that Bradford pears have structural issues and are likely to split down the middle, but most homeowners have no idea until it happens to them.

Some species like Bradford pear and Texas fall elm aka cedar elm are more likely to have weak branch angles or codominant stems. Listen to this episode of Trees Are Key to learn more about the actions you can take to help your trees.

You’ve heard “Remember the Alamo” but do you know where the name Alamo came from? Tune in to this episode of #TreesAreKey to learn how this week’s species spotlight played a role in history.

Texas Arbor Day is coming and this year we are celebrating in Nacogdoches, Texas. Considered the oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches will be celebrating their tricentennial. That’s right, the city’s 300th birthday has arrived. What a legacy!

Many things that we do or build may not last, but we can all leave a legacy by planting and caring for our trees. Listen to this week’s episode Legacy is Key.

Species Spotlight – Alligator Juniper is a tough drought tolerant tree that has year-round visual interest, particularly the bark which gives the species its common name. Listen to learn more about this cool tree.

Keys to Lightning Protection

Flash, boom and crack. Storm season can hit almost any time of year and with storms often comes lightning. Lightning can be devastating to our electronics and our trees. Join us to learn the keys to protecting our trees from lightning.

Species Spotlight - Lacey Oak - Quercus laceyi

Trees come in different shapes, textures, and colors. This week's tree is a distinctly blue tree, common name blue oak. Listen to this week's #TreesAreKey podcast to learn more about Lacey oak.

Why does one community have great trees and the community next to it doesn’t?

Why should you need a permit to remove a large tree during development?

Why do some communities require tree care contractors to have a permit or license before they work on your trees?

In many cases the answer is ordinances: the rules communities create can direct how trees are cared for, which trees can be removed and help protect residents from unscrupulous contractors.

Listen to this episode to learn Keys to Tree Ordinances.

Species Spotlight

Pawpaw, Asimina triloba, is a fascinating native fruit tree with a uniquely tropical flavor. Listen to this week’s #TreesAreKey podcast to learn more about this wonderful tree.