We know a thing or two about trees.

This Document is intended to aid homeowners and local government staff in planting and directing the establishment and maintenance of community trees.

This document discusses basic landscape tools and guidelines for optimizing sound reduction and visual screening.

Download this guide to get tips on maintaining trees, selecting an arborist and a homeowner tree survey checklist.

Helpful suggestions for finding a tree service and avoiding many of the pitfalls involved

When requested to send photographic images of your tree to an arborist for review, it is important to remember the following photography “Do’s” and “Don’ts.”

All trees will fail at some point in their life, and all trees have some level of risk associated with them. Determining the likelihood of tree failure requires a significant level of experience and knowledge about how trees grow, how they fail, and what characteristics make a tree “risky.”

Learn the best ways to save money and energy through tree planting – a time tested method for reducing energy use.

Trees provide a host of benefits, but we have a responsibility to assess and minimize risks associated with the forest canopy.

Homeowners often believe that trees in their landscape have economic value for use as lumber or other wood products. The main impediment to selling your landscape trees is the cost of their removal.

Homeowners often wonder about the value of their trees when removals appear necessary or when a tree has suffered damage at the hands of a contractor, neighbor, or storm.

Many people think removing a few of the tree’s encroaching roots will cause little long term harm and that large trees can easily recover from minor root loss, but that
is seldom the case.

Ambrosia beetles are non-native (in Georgia) major wood-boring pests that usually attack hardwoods and ornamental trees during times of drought, storm damage and construction damage.

Bot canker is a serious pathogen of landscape and ornamental trees. This fungus is opportunistic and generally requires a weakened or damaged host.

Carpenter ants are common in log houses and other wooden structures. These insects are primarily a nuisance, and are not likely to cause serious damage quickly.

Leyland cypress has become one of the most widely used plants in commercial and residential landscapes, and it is relatively pest-free. However, because of its relatively shallow root system, and because they are often planted too close together and in poorly drained soils, Leyland cypress is prone to root rot and several damaging canker diseases, especially during periods of prolonged drought.

Helpful information about identifying and controlling tent caterpillars and webworms.

Fungal Conks, or mushrooms growing from the trunk or base of a tree, are an indication that a rotinducing pathogen has taken up residence. Some of these fungi are significantly less harmful than others, but all warrant further investigation.

Galls are abnormal vegetative growths on trees that result from the feeding and egg laying activities of various insects and mites. Generally, galls are not life threatening to trees, but there are recommended steps to control the growth.

Gummosis is a common infection found on various fruit and nut trees. In the landscape, gummosis is most often recognized as a glob of translucent, amber colored sap on the side of the stem or lower trunk of trunk of a tree.

HWA is a serious pest of hemlock trees in Georgia. The aphid-like insect feeds on eastern and Carolina hemlock trees, eventually resulting in tree mortality. The very existence of the eastern and Carolina hemlock species is greatly threatened by HWA.

Found in the outer bark areas of living and healthy trees, Hypoxylon are normally of little consequence. However, the fungi can severely injure or kill trees that have been weakened by factors such as drought, root disease, mechanical injury, logging or construction activities. T

Awareness of the location of pine beetle infestations near them and research based information relative to the management options available is the best defense a homeowner can have.

Helpful information about “weeping water” from the trunk of a tree – usually a sign of a bacterial disease called Slime Flux or Bacterial Wetwood.

Helpful information about various forms of lichen.

Cavities are created when physical wounding of the trunk occurs whether by human, weather or wildlife action. These wounds are then expanded by wood decaying fungi, bacteria or wildlife and can occur anywhere on the tree, but are most critical when they occur in the trunk or in major stems and branches.

Generally, trees with structurally sound root systems do not fall, except during very high wind events. When trying to determine which trees have root systems that are prone to failure, answers hinge upon a number of factors.

Healthy roots are the foundation for a long, beautiful relationship with your trees. A girdling root problem starts very early in a tree’s development and can cut short a plant’s life.

Unfortunately, neither Mother Nature nor the character of a tree can reduce the very real risks associated with leaning. It’s not that trees that lean are inherently bad; it’s just that gravity creates problems.

For trees, the impact of a lightning strike may be light, leaving no obvious damage, or it may be severe, with catastrophic results.

These trees were genetically selected for their perfect “lollypop” shaped crown, but it is that shape that is responsible for a shortened life span. The limited life of these trees is a function of structural failure, not “natural causes.”

When planting trees near our homes, we have to be aware of the serious and expensive consequences of tree roots growing under driveways and sidewalks.

Roots on the surface of the soil can cause all kinds of problems, but not necessarily for the tree.

“How do I plant a tree?” This is a common question, and tree planting and establishment guidelines have changed considerably over the past 20 years. Learning how to plant a tree and following proper practices when planting trees can lead to long term benefits from well established plants.

Trees require high quality resources in the correct proportions to perform best. Water, and the soil volume which holds water, are critical to great tree growth.

Summer heat often prompts us to wonder how our trees can survive when too little rain falls to keep the grass alive. There are important tips to follow for proper watering and maintenance.

Pecan trees are commonly found surrounding both urban and rural dwellings throughout Georgia. They can enhance the environment and provide additional income from the sale of nuts. Pecans are recommended for home planting in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, but are not recommended for the north Georgia mountains.

Mulch is organic material placed on the soil’s surface around trees and plants to enhance their growing conditions. Mulch helps maintain soil temperature and moisture, reduce water loss from soil, reduce weed competition, improve soil structure, and give landscapes a clean appearance. Often overlooked, spreading mulch around your trees is one of the easiest and most beneficial techniques that can have great impact on the health and vitality of your trees.

Drought is a main contributing factor to shade tree decline. Extended drought can influence the health of shade trees by the loss of absorbing roots.

Steps on assessing storm damage around our home and property.

Best tips and techniques on pruning trees

Best watering practices for your trees

Learn about different types of insects and diseases that can affect our trees.

Tips & techniques for using mulch around your trees

How to assess various types of trees and explains certain risk factors.

The importance of hiring an #ISA #Certified #Arborist to care for our trees.

Steps on how to assess root and soil disturbance and best practices.

Shows us how to identify common trees in our backyard.

How to plant a containerized tree.

Plant trees to lower utility bills, save energy, and add value to your property. A homeowner learns how in this Georgia Forestry Commission video.