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 → 
A complete crepe myrtle growing guide: mature size by cultivar, zones 6-9 care, the truth about crepe murder, mildew-resistant varieties, and how to plant one right.
A complete dogwood growing guide covering Cornus florida, Kousa, and Rutgers hybrids: siting, soil, watering, disease-proof cultivars, and the honest catch.
A complete Japanese maple growing guide: zones, siting, watering, pruning, and the honest catch on scorch, slow growth, and price. Plus the best cultivars to plant.
Sudden oak death kills coast live oaks and tanoaks with bleeding trunk cankers, and the spores come from the bay laurel growing next to them. Learn to spot it, why there's no cure, and what actually protects a healthy oak.
Identify anthracnose on sycamore, oak, ash, maple, and dogwood trees. Learn the wet-spring pattern, why most cases are cosmetic, and when dogwood anthracnose is the exception.
Identify apple scab on apple and crabapple trees. Learn the leaf and fruit symptoms, the wet-spring disease cycle, which cultivars resist it, and when sanitation beats spraying.
Which trees to buy and why
52 articlesWhere and how to plant
18 articlesKeep your trees healthy
74 articlesWhen and how to trim
11 articlesGarden projects with trees
12 articlesBrowse everything on the site
167 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.