Honest, specific tree advice from 20+ years of Northern California homeownership, grounded in real arborist sources.
Tree Planting GuideA staged walkthrough, from soil prep to the two years that decide if it lives.Start the guide → 
Fast-Growing TreesThe fastest growers ranked, plus the four you should never plant.See the rankings → 
Tree FinderAnswer a few questions, match your yard to the right species.Find my tree → 
Deer resistant trees ranked by tested ratings, with the evergreen, privacy, fruit, and fast-growing picks deer skip, an honest deer-proof caveat, and species-by-species answers.
Fast growing flowering trees ranked by growth rate and bloom timing, from crape myrtle and jacaranda to redbud, with an honest warning on the fast-but-invasive ones to skip.
Fast growing trees for California's dry-summer climate, split by coast, Central Valley, and SoCal, with honest picks to skip and sourced growth rates from extension data.
Fast growing privacy trees ranked with sourced growth rates, mature widths, a spacing table, cheap bulk options, and an honest timeline to a full screen.
Fast growing shade trees ranked by speed and canopy spread, with sourced growth rates, zones, and an honest timeline for how soon you actually get usable shade.
How fast do crepe myrtle trees grow? Rapid, 1 to 2-plus feet a year, with some cultivars near 3. Sourced growth rates by size class for crape myrtle cultivars.
Which trees to buy and why
49 articlesWhere and how to plant
18 articlesKeep your trees healthy
56 articlesWhen and how to trim
11 articlesGarden projects with trees
12 articlesBrowse everything on the site
146 articlesThe trees worth planting, based on real experience.
What to avoid, and why.
Get it right the first time.
When, how, and what not to cut.
11 reasons your yard needs them.
9 things to know before you dig.