A Voice for Trees educational series where Victoria asks everyday tree care questions and Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, provides clear, practical answers homeowners can trust.
LATEST EPISODES
Episode 13
Episode 13: Why Do Tree Branches Suddenly Break in Summer?
Why can a large tree branch suddenly fall on a hot, calm day? Victoria talks with Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, about summer branch drop, warning signs homeowners can safely observe, and when to contact a qualified arborist.
This episode includes AI-assisted voices. All tree-care information is created, reviewed, and approved by Vincent.
Episode 12
Episode 12: Is My Leaning Tree Dangerous?
In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, whether a leaning tree is always a sign of danger. Vincent explains why many trees naturally grow with a lean, what warning signs homeowners should look for after storms or changes in the landscape, and how to recognize when a tree should be evaluated by a professional. Together, they explore how understanding a tree's history and root system can help distinguish a healthy lean from a potential hazard.
Episode 11
Episode 11: Why Mulch Matters More Than You Think
In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, whether mulch is just for looks or if it actually helps trees. Vincent explains how proper mulch helps protect roots, conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperature, reduce weed competition, and support the living soil around a tree. He also explains why mulch should be spread wide, kept a few inches away from the trunk, and never piled into a mulch volcano.
Episode 10
Episode 10: Is Your Tree Staked Too Tightly?
In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, whether newly planted trees need to be staked and what can happen when the ties are too tight. Vincent explains why some movement helps a tree develop strength, how tight or forgotten ties can damage the trunk, and when stakes should be removed so the tree can establish and stand on its own.
Episode 9
Episode 9: Planting a Tree the Right Way
In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, how to plant a tree correctly from the start. Vincent explains why the root flare should stay visible, why the planting hole should be wide but not too deep, and how proper mulching, watering, and temporary staking can help a young tree establish and grow strong.
EPISODE LIBRARY
Episode 1: How Does a Tree Grow Taller?
Have you ever wondered how a tree knows how to grow upward? In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, how trees grow taller and what happens at the very tip of a branch or trunk.
Episode 2: What Is an Arborist?
What exactly does an arborist do? In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, to explain the role of an arborist and why proper tree care matters.
Episode 3: Don’t Over-Prune Palms
Palm trees are often over-pruned, leaving only a few fronds at the top. In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, why this is a problem and how it can stress the palm.
Episode 4: Stop Topping Trees
Tree topping may look like a quick way to make a tree smaller, but it can create bigger problems over time. In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, why topping trees is harmful and what should be done instead.
Episode 5: My Tree Looks Sick — Should I Cut It Down?
Have you ever wondered whether a sick-looking tree really needs to be cut down? In this episode, Victoria is joined by Raymond, a homeowner concerned about his tree, and Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, explains what signs to look for and when a tree may need care, closer evaluation, or removal.
Episode 6: Why are My Tree Roots Lifting the Sidewalk?
Monica asks what to do when tree roots start lifting the sidewalk. Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, explains why this happens, why cutting roots can be risky, and how homeowners can protect both people and the tree.
Episode 7: Do I Need to Water My Trees in Summer?
In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, whether trees need summer watering and how deep, slow watering can help protect them during hot, dry weather.
Episode 8: Choosing the Right Tree at the Nursery
In this episode, Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, how to choose a healthy tree at the nursery before bringing it home. Vincent explains why it’s important to think about the planting location, mature size, tree structure, root flare, and overall health so homeowners can choose the right tree for the right place.
Educational Support and Supervision
Ask the Arborist is supervised by Kurt Peacock, Consulting Arborist & Certified Arborist, of Peacock Consulting.
Explore Arboriculture at Cuyamaca College
Interested in tree care? Discover the Cuyamaca College Arboriculture program and learn the skills behind professional tree care.
Why Ask an Arborist?
Trees are living systems, and good tree care takes more than just cutting branches. An arborist understands how trees grow, respond to pruning, manage stress, and recover from damage.
Asking an arborist can help you make better decisions before you prune, remove, plant, or diagnose a tree problem.
Practical Tree Guidance
Get simple, useful answers about pruning, tree health, safety, planting, and common homeowner concerns.
Better Decisions Before You Cut
Not every tree problem needs a chainsaw. Sometimes the best first step is understanding what the tree is telling you.
Healthier Trees, Safer Homes
Proper tree care can reduce stress on the tree, improve structure, and help prevent bigger problems later.
Clear Answers You Can Trust
Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, explains tree care in a friendly, down-to-earth way so homeowners can feel more confident caring for their trees.
ASK A TREE QUESTION
Is your tree looking stressed, overgrown, unhealthy, or just doing something strange?
Send in your question and it may be featured in a future Ask the Arborist episode. Victoria may ask the question, and Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, will provide a clear, practical answer to help homeowners better understand and care for their trees.
No question is too simple. If you are wondering about it, another homeowner probably is too.
“Trees connect us all. Let’s care for them together.”
Learn more about trees and tree care.