Bad Tree Pruning: 7 Mistakes Raleigh Homeowners Make

The seven most common tree pruning mistakes in Raleigh, from topping and flush cuts to lion tailing and over pruning, and how to fix a badly pruned tree.

When to Prune Fruit Trees in NC: Apple, Peach and Pear Guide

The best time to prune fruit trees in North Carolina is late winter. Timing and methods for apple, pear, peach, plum and fig trees in Raleigh.

When to Prune Crepe Myrtles in NC (and Why Crape Murder Hurts Them)

The best time to prune crepe myrtles in North Carolina is late February to early March. Learn why topping hurts them, how to prune without it and how to fix a topped tree.

Willow Oaks in Raleigh: Why the City of Oaks’ Old Trees Are Failing and When to Remove One

Raleigh Willow Oaks at a Glance Willow oaks are native to North Carolina, fast growing and long lived, and they shade many of Raleigh’s older streets and yards. Many of the biggest ones are now old, and years of drought, root damage from construction, and compacted soil leave them open to decay, hypoxylon canker, root…

Leaning Tree in Your Raleigh Yard? When It Is Dangerous in Wake County Clay Soil

Leaning Trees at a Glance A tree that has leaned the same way for decades has usually grown extra wood to carry that weight, and it is rarely an emergency. A tree that starts leaning suddenly, especially after heavy rain, is a different story, because in Raleigh’s red clay a sudden lean almost always means…

Storm Damage Tree Cleanup in Raleigh, NC: City Pickup Rules, Costs and Who to Call

Storm Damage Cleanup at a Glance The City of Raleigh collects normal yard waste at the curb, but only within strict limits: tied bundles no longer than five feet, limbs no thicker than six inches, and no stumps. Anything bigger, anything hanging in a tree, and anything resting on a roof, fence or power line…

Emergency Tree Removal in Raleigh, NC: What to Do When a Tree Falls or Fails

Quick Answer An emergency tree situation is any tree that has already fallen on a structure, is actively failing, or is in immediate danger of causing property damage or injury. If the tree is on your home, fence, car, or power line — or if it is cracked at the base and leaning toward a…

How to Tell If a Tree Is Dead: 5 Warning Signs to Watch For

Quick Answer Scratch a small patch of bark with your fingernail. Green and moist underneath means the tree is alive in that spot. Dry and brown means that section is dead. But one scratch test is not the whole picture. Dead trees often fool homeowners for a season or two before the real signs become…