Tree Care Library
Practical, science-based tree care information to help you understand, protect, and care for the trees around you.
Explore the Tree Care Library
Choose a topic below to find practical tree-care videos, podcasts, guides, quizzes, and tools.
Planting & Young Trees
Choosing the right tree, planting depth, root flare, staking, and early establishment.
Watering & Drought Care
Learn when, where, and how deeply to water trees—especially during hot, dry weather.
Pruning & Tree Structure
Understand proper pruning, branch structure, common pruning mistakes, and when to call an arborist.
Tree Health & Problems
Explore signs of stress, declining trees, pests, diseases, and other reasons a tree may look unhealthy.
Roots, Soil & Mulch
Learn how roots grow, why healthy soil matters, proper mulching, and how roots interact with sidewalks and landscapes.
Tree Safety & Risk
Learn about leaning trees, falling branches, structural concerns, and warning signs that deserve a closer look.
Start Here
New to tree care? Begin with the foundation. These first two episodes introduce how trees grow and what arborists do.
How Does a Tree Grow Taller?
Learn where tree growth actually happens and why trees don’t simply stretch upward from the trunk.
What Is an Arborist and What Do They Do?
Learn what arborists do, the skills they use, and how they help care for trees and the people who live around them.
Planting & Young Trees
Setting a tree up for success starts early. Learn how to choose the right tree, plant it correctly, and give it the care it needs to establish strong roots and healthy structure.
Topics include: choosing the right tree, planting depth, root flare, staking, watering, and early tree care.
Ask the Arborist
Choosing a Tree at the Nursery
What to look for when choosing a healthy tree for the right location. →Listen to podcast
How to Plant a Tree Correctly
Discover why planting depth, root flare position, hole width, watering, and mulch all matter when giving a new tree the best possible start. →Listen to podcast
Is Your Tree Staked Too Tightly?
Learn when staking is helpful, why young trees need some movement to develop strength, and when stakes and ties should be removed. →Listen to podcast
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Watering & Drought Care
Healthy trees need the right amount of water at the right time. Learn how to water deeply, recognize drought stress, and help trees stay healthy through hot, dry conditions.
Topics include: deep watering, where to water, drought stress, newly planted trees, and seasonal watering.
Ask the Arborist
Do I Need to Water My Trees in Summer?
Learn why established trees may still need supplemental water during hot, dry weather and how slow, deep watering can help protect them. →Listen to podcast
Tree Watering Calculator
Get practical guidance for estimating how much water your tree may need.
More Watering Resources Coming Soon
Future episodes and guides will cover drought stress, newly planted tree watering, overwatering, irrigation placement, and seasonal watering.
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Pruning & Tree Structure
Good pruning supports tree health, structure, and safety. Learn why proper cuts matter, how over-pruning can stress trees, and when pruning can do more harm than good.
Topics include: proper pruning cuts, topping, palm pruning, young-tree structure, dead branches, and when to call an arborist.
Ask the Arborist
Don’t Over-Prune Palms
Learn why removing too many healthy palm fronds can stress a palm and why a fuller canopy is usually healthier. →Listen to podcast
Why Topping Trees Is Harmful
See why cutting back large branches indiscriminately can lead to decay, weak regrowth, and long-term tree problems. →Listen to podcast
VFT Tree Care Tip
Good pruning removes what is necessary while preserving healthy structure. More pruning is not always better.
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Tree Health & Problems
Trees often show signs of stress before serious problems develop. Learn what to look for, what may be affecting your tree, and when a closer inspection may be needed.
Topics include: tree stress, leaf problems, pests and disease, root issues, environmental stress, and when to get help.
Ask the Arborist
My Tree Looks Sick—Should I Cut It Down?
Learn why a declining tree does not always need to be removed and what signs should be evaluated first.→Listen to podcast
What’s Killing San Diego’s Canary Island Date Palms?
Victoria asks Vincent Alvarez, ISA Certified Arborist, about the South American palm weevil, how it damages Canary Island date palms, and the warning signs homeowners should watch for.→Listen to podcast
VFT Tree Care Tip
A tree that looks unhealthy is not necessarily a lost tree. Look for changes, consider recent stresses, and evaluate the whole tree before deciding what to do next.
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Roots, Soil, and Mulch
Healthy trees start below ground. Learn how roots, soil, and mulch work together to support long-term tree health. Topics include: root growth · soil health · compaction · mulch · root flare · roots and hardscape
Ask the Arborist
Why Are My Tree Roots Lifting the Sidewalk?
Learn why roots sometimes affect sidewalks and what options may be available.→Listen to podcast
Why Mulch Matters More Than You Think
Learn how proper mulch protects roots, conserves moisture, and supports healthy soil. → Listen to podcast
More Podcasts Coming Soon
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Tree Safety & Risk
Recognize warning signs, understand common structural concerns, and know when a tree may need a closer look.
Topics include: leaning trees · branch failure · dead or damaged limbs · structural defects · warning signs · when to call an arborist
Ask the Arborist
Is My Leaning Tree Dangerous?
Learn what can make a leaning tree concerning and which signs may indicate a need for professional evaluation.→ Listen to podcast
Why Do Tree Branches Suddenly Break in Summer?
Learn why large limbs can sometimes fail during hot, calm weather and what homeowners should watch for.→ Listen to podcast
More Podcasts Coming Soon
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