Tools
Chainsaw and Tree-Cutting Safety: The PPE and Rules That Keep You Whole
A homeowner's guide to chainsaw safety: the full PPE system, how kickback works, safe-cutting fundamentals, and when to call a certified arborist.
The best trees to plant, and how to keep them alive.
Honest, specific tree advice from 20+ years of Northern California homeownership, grounded in real arborist sources.
Start here
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 → Latest articles
Tools
Chainsaws for Tree Work: An Honest Homeowner's Buying Guide
How to pick a homeowner chainsaw for limbing, firewood, and small trees. Battery vs gas, bar length, safety features, and the jobs to leave to a pro.
Tools
Hand Pruners: Bypass vs Anvil, Sizing, and How to Buy a Pair That Lasts
A homeowner's guide to hand pruners: bypass vs anvil, what branch size they cut, how to make a clean cut, sharpening the bevel, and disinfecting between trees.
Tools
Hedge Shears: How to Buy and Use Manual Shears for Clean, Quiet Hedge Shaping
A homeowner's guide to manual hedge shears: how they differ from powered trimmers, what stem size they cut, how to shear a hedge flat and tapered, and how to sharpen the blades.
Tools
Powered Hedge Trimmers: How to Buy and Use One for Long, Formal Hedges
A homeowner's guide to powered hedge trimmers: corded vs battery vs gas, blade length, cutting capacity, and how to trim a hedge flat and tapered so the base keeps its leaves.
Tools
How to Sharpen Pruning Tools: Pruners, Loppers, and Saws
How to sharpen pruning shears and loppers the right way: match the factory bevel, deburr, oil, plus why most pruning saws get replaced, not sharpened.
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Best trees for your yard
The trees worth planting, based on real experience.
Worst trees for your yard
What to avoid, and why.
Tree planting tips
Get it right the first time.
Tree trimming tips
When, how, and what not to cut.
Why plant trees
11 reasons your yard needs them.
The downsides
9 things to know before you dig.