March 2026 Treecologist Tribune
What Do Beers and Beetles Have in Common?
Articles, News + Events
Learn about the importance of trees, how to properly care for trees, upcoming events, check out our helpful how-to guides, and learn about company news and updates.
Never miss an article
Learn all about the importance of trees and how to properly care for them.
Tree & Me: A Community Canopy
How one swing turned a tree into a living, breathing community center.
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Gus
From peanut butter fruit to jug bands, learn about Gus' journey from food forests to Piedmont Prairies.
5 Reasons Why Planting Saplings is the Smarter Way to Grow Trees and Shrubs
Saplings are inexpensive, easy to plant, and often grow faster than larger nursery trees. Here are five reasons to choose saplings for your next...
Saplings Have Superpowers: Why They are Better than Traditional Nursery Trees
Before you buy the biggest tree your budget can handle, discover why a tiny sapling with an intact root system often outperforms larger, more...
Start your next project with us!
Get a free quote for tree and shrub care, compost tea, planting, pruning, Piedmont Prairies, Pocket Forests, and more!
Video | The Smarter Way to Plant Trees
In this video, Archie and Martina show a simpler and smarter way to grow trees: planting saplings.
Tree & Me: Two Old Queens
A sweet memory about how children learn the language of trees.
February 2026 Treecologist Tribune
A Snow Day and a Spring Palette
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Greyson
Greyson brings humor, heart, and a genuine love of connection to everything he does.
Video | How to Improve Soil Without Damaging Tree Roots
If your trees look unhealthy, it might be your soil. Watch to learn how to reverse the damage.
Soil Improvement Made Simple: 7 Ways to Build Healthy Soil Naturally
Healthy soil is the foundation to healthy plants. Here's how to achieve it without tearing up your yard.
A Worm’s Eye View of Soil Renewal
Ernie’s Earth Notes: Musings from the Mulch Zone
January 2026 Treecologist Tribune
Wizards in the Woods
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Nora
Learn how a lifetime of learning, climbing, and writing led Nora to Leaf & Limb.
Point of View: 2025 Year in Review at Leaf & Limb
Looking back at the last year through candid photos captured by our crew.
Tree & Me: Leaves & Light
A wink from the universe.
Monthly Tree and Land Care Calendar
Calendar plug-in to track monthly tree and land care tasks.
December 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Season of Stillness & Acorny Quiz 🐿️
Tree & Me: Plant You a Pin Oak
A studio with a new view.
November 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Lessons From the Leaf Litter 🍂
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Tessa
Our in-house media director who is passionate about trees, storytelling... and a very unique hobby.
How to Care for Very Old Trees
Proper pruning and soil health are essential care for veteran trees.
An Appreciation of Very Old Trees
How trees grow, why some outlive others, and what makes old trees irreplaceable.
Tree & Me: Pecan, Keepin' On
A 35-year quest for pecans.
Is a Tree With a Hollow Dangerous? How to Know What’s Safe
Discover when a hollow tree is safe to keep, how to care for it, and when removal might be necessary.
October 2025 Treecologist Tribune
A Bunch of Nuts, Life of a Leaf and Sailing into the Dormant Season 🍂
Eight Legs. Zero Worries. Why You Want Spiders in Your Yard
Spiders may seem spooky, but they’re vital to your garden’s health and balance. Learn why they deserve a little love.
Tree & Me: Trees Keep Time
Every family has its touchstones.
Not So Scary: 12 Common Spiders That Help Your Yard Thrive
The better you know them, the less you’ll fear them!
What You Need to Know About the Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly may look stunning, but it’s an invasive pest with the power to harm trees, vines, and crops across North Carolina.
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Luke
An arborist whose journey from mental health therapy to tree care is as brave as it is inspiring.
Are Mushrooms Growing on Trees Always Bad?
Learn which fungi cause harm and which ones quietly help your trees by recycling nutrients and enriching the soil.
September 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Abundance, Gratitude, and Grace ✨
Get to Know Project Pando: Meet Celia, Assistant Manager at Walnut Creek Wetland Park
Learn how volunteers and native plants are restoring Walnut Creek Wetland Park.
Does Your Tree Really Need to Be Cut Down?
Before you cut, compare the real cost of tree removal vs. care. In our experience, 90% of trees don’t need removal.
Video | Tree Trimming 101: When, Why & How to Prune Safely
Learn when, why, and how to prune trees safely to build structure, reduce hazards, and protect your property.
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Colin
The founding father and a formidable force behind Leaf & Limb.
Tree Trimming FAQ: Simple Fixes for Common Tree Problems
When your trees start tapping on your windows or your roof, it’s nature’s gentle (or not-so-gentle) reminder: it’s time to trim your trees.
Tree Pruning Types: A Graded Guide for Homeowners
Explore the main types of tree pruning (graded A–F) from structural pruning to topping.
Tree & Me: You Go, Tree!
An upbeat story about a tree that persists.
The Story of Durham’s Willow Oaks
Discover the story of Durham’s willow oaks: when they were planted, why many are now dying, and how you can help care for them....
August 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Mysterious Bumps, Lightning Strikes and Friend or Foe? 🐝
Compost Tea for Lawns: Ernie Earthworm’s Natural Lawn Care Tips
Learn how compost tea improves lawn health, boosts soil microbes, and replaces chemical fertilizers—safe for kids, pets, and pollinators.
Compost Tea for Natural Lawn Care
A simple, chemical-free way to grow healthier turf by improving soil life under your lawn.
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Patrick
From international relations to climbing trees, Patrick brings a thoughtful and values-driven approach to his work.
Video | Compost Tea for Lawns: A Greener Way to Grow
Learn how compost tea can make your lawn healthier, safer, and more sustainable while protecting the environment.
Tree & Me: Holding On
A story about loss and a tree that keeps the memory of a dear friend alive.
July 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Water Everywhere, Reading Leaves and Antsy About Ants? 🐜
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Andrea
From climbing, to cat rescue to growing juicy fruit, our own AG lends her talents all over.
Root Awakening: How Construction Projects Can Trouble Your Tree
A guide to understanding how construction activities impacte your tree's roots and what to do about it.
Video | The Root of the Problem: How We’re Killing Trees Without Knowing
Watch to learn how construction unknowingly damages roots and what you can do to fix the problem.
Tree & Me: Living in the Vast Embrace of My Trees
A story from Carol Caruso of Highlands, NJ
June 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Hello Summer! Fireflies, June Beetles, and Tree Tips
Get To Know Project Pando: Meet Caroline
A quarterly feature of one of our Project Pando team members.
Video | How to Prepare Your Trees for Hurricanes: Tips to Protect Your Home and Property
Nora shares expert tips on how to prepare your trees to withstand storms.
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Katrina
Read on to get better acquainted with our own helpful hummingbird.
Weathering a Hurricane: How to Stormproof Your Trees From the Ground Up
The primary ways to help your trees withstand wind, rain, and flooding.
Tree & Me: My Grandmama and the Ancient Oak
By our very own, Basil Camu
May 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Seasonal Rhythms, Mysteries Afoot and Dang Skeeters
11 Native Shrubs to Plant in Central North Carolina
A selection of our Treecologists' favorite plants that thrive in planting zones 7b/8a
Hedging Your Bets
Learn why a fast-growing native Thicket beats a traditional privacy screen.
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Kelly
A Leaf & Limb team captain and one of our most experienced crew leaders in Operations.
April 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Adiós, Pollen! 🤧 Hello, Gorgeous Green! 🌱
How to Make Vermicompost
Making compost with worms enhances the composting process by making nutrients more readily available to bacteria, fungi and of course trees!
Ditch Your Laborious Lawn for a Magnificent Meadow or Prairie
Why misconceptions about cost, skills required and appearance might prevent some from making the switch.
Get To Know Leaf & Limb: Meet Anna
Leaf & Limb’s chief organizer, planner, and installer in the Prairie Department
The Wild Frontier: What Remains of the Great American Grasslands
Did you know there are fewer native prairie ecosystems remaining than old-growth forests?
March 2025 Treecologist Tribune
🦁 Lions and Lambs: Frost Damage and Flower Power 🌼
Brewing Better Soil: The Benefits of Compost Tea
Ernie’s Earth Notes: Musings from the Mulch Zone
Video | What's the Secret Ingredient in Compost Tea? WORM POOP!
Learn how we create the perfect environment for vermicompost.
February 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Signs of Spring 🌷 Arborvitae Blues 🌿 Compost Tea
Safe and Sound: How Pruning Can Make Your Tree Strong
Understanding the fundamentals of structural pruning
Video | How to Structurally Prune a Tree For Health, Strength, and Longevity
One of the most effective ways to maintain the long-term health of your trees is structural pruning.
January 2025 Treecologist Tribune
Winter Beauty ❄️ Mulch Volcano Woes 🌋 Supporting Small Business
Seeds of Change: 9 Ways to Foster Lasting Environmental Impact
Strategies we use at Leaf & Limb to inspire people to help heal Earth.
Point of View: 2024 Year in Review at Leaf & Limb
Looking back at the last year through candid photos captured by our crew.
November 2024 Treecologist Tribune
It's Finally Cold 🥶 Our Book is on Amazon 📚 Winter Celebration Waitlist ❄️
October 2024 Treecologist Tribune
❄️ Winter Celebration, Native Seed Drive and How to Heal Our Planet
Thickets 101: Collections of Small Trees and Shrubs that Provide Privacy, Erosion Control, and Wildlife Habitats
These dynamic ecosystems provide many benefits and fill in the gaps in our natural landscape.
Opposums are Awesome (and No, They Don't Have Rabies)
These magnificent marsupials help control ticks and venomous snakes.
4th Annual Leaf & Limb Community Appreciation Event
Fun for the entire family: tours, hands-on classes, and so much more!
September 2024 Treecologist Tribune
When There is TOO Much Rain 🌧️
Video | Project Pando Needs Your Donations
By supporting Project Pando, you increase our impact and help us connect more people with trees.
August Treecologist Tribune
Why Your Trees Need Some Extra TLC Right Now
Think Your Tree Needs to Be Removed? 6 Reasons You Might Be Wrong
Common concerns about trees and an explanation of why they are often unfounded.
Video | Worried About Big Trees?
Think twice before you remove them.
July 2024 Treecologist Tribune
From No Rain to Too Much Rain
June 2024 Treecologist Tribune
Heat Stress, Ambrosia Beetles and Soil Health
How to Perform Structural Pruning
Learn how to use the 3-Cut Method and the Reduction Cut to structurally prune your tree.
May 2024 Treecologist Tribune
How to Prepare for Hurricanes, What to Do With Poison Ivy, and L&L in the Press!!
Video | How to Perform the 3-Cut Pruning Method
This video will show you how to make a proper pruning cut that avoids harming the branch collar.
Video | How to Perform Structural Pruning
This video will show you how to combine pruning cuts to properly prune your tree.
How to Properly Prune Using the 3-Cut Method and The Reduction Cut
Follow these basic steps to learn how to prune your tree without causing long-term harm.
April 2024 Treecologist Tribune
Making Space Where Wildlife Thrives
Video | Learn How to Save Time and Help Heal Earth in Our New Book
From Wasteland to Wonder—Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape, a new book by Basil Camu.
March 2024 Treecologist Tribune
How Do We Truly Eliminate Pests??
Setting the Stage—A Conversation About Why Change is Necessary
From Wasteland to Wonder—Easy Ways to Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape
February 2024 Treecologist Tribune
The Great Cicada Emergence!
Tree Root Structure
A look at healthy tree root structure.
January 2024 Treecologist Tribune
Importance of Pruning and Hazards of Mulch Volcanoes
Point of View: 2023 Year in Review at Leaf & Limb
Looking back at last year through candid photos captured by our crew.
November 2023 Treecologist Tribune
Leave the Leaves and Plant More Trees
Bats are the Best (and, Unfortunately, They're Endangered)
Not convinced? Learn about the fascinating world of bats and the benefits of having them nearby.
October 2023 Treecologist Tribune
Fall is the Season for Soil Health
Video | The Story of A Seed
How Project Pando volunteers grow trees from seed to sapling.
September 2023 Treecologist Tribune
When Rain Doesn't Help Thirsty Trees
Strength in Numbers: The Basics of a Pocket Forest
These densely planted mini forests provide a variety of benefits and are easier to maintain than traditional lawns.
Video | Meadows, Thickets, and Pocket Forests: Going Beyond the Traditional Landscaping Model
Rethinking your backyard and common spaces.
August 2023 Treecologist Tribune
A Tree's Way to Beat the Heat is Under Your Feet
Wondering How to Get Rid of Crape Myrtle Bark Scale?
This challenging new pest has spread quickly throughout the Southeast over the last few years. Here is what we recommend.
10 Native Flowers and Grasses to Plant in a Central North Carolina Piedmont Prairie
Our Treecologists' favorite flowers and grasses that thrive in planting zones 7b/8a.
Video | From Seeds to Serenity: The Piedmont Prairie Process
Turn your boring lawn into a gorgeous Piedmont Prairie.
July 2023 Treecologist Tribune
An Ideal Growing Season
Video | Tree Roots Don't Break Pipes
Archie the Arborist debunks common misunderstandings about tree roots.
Stop Blaming Tree Roots: 5 Ways to Proactively Prevent Property Damage
Understanding root behavior and planning ahead will prevent property damage and allow trees to grow healthy and strong.
Do Roots Cause Damage? Debunking 3 Common Myths About Tree Roots
The truth about roots: separating fact from fiction.
June 2023 Treecologist Tribune
Cool Weather = Calm Plants
10 Native Shrubs to Plant in Central North Carolina
Our Treecologists' favorite plants that thrive in planting zones 7b/8a
Managing Invasive Plants
Some strategies for removal include pulling, smothering, starvation, containment and more.
Video | How to Manage Invasive Plants
Tackling the Trio of Troublesome Invasives: English Ivy, Bradford Pear, and Bamboo
May 2023 Treecologist Tribune
It's Raining, It's Pouring? Not All Rain is Equal.
Spring Scavenger Hunt
Head outside to find signs of spring.
Plants Make the Planet Go Round
Trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants seed, feed, and fuel life on earth.
Video | Earth Day is Every Day
Plants make the world go round.
March Treecologist Tribune
What Does Early Spring Mean to Plants?
Video | Climbing with Archie: How to Climb a Tree Like an Arborist
Ever wondered how we climb trees? Watch this video and see the world from a whole new perspective.
We Are Safe At All Times: Our Approach to Tree-Climbing Safety
From training to inspections, our comprehensive approach ensures safe tree climbing.
Video | Day in the Life
Follow along while Zeb climbs, prunes, and cares for trees.
February Treecologist Tribune
Liquid Gold: Worms, Leaves, and Food Scraps, Oh My!
Why We Recommend Herbicide for Some Ecological Restoration Projects
by Basil Camu, co-owner of Leaf & Limb
Point of View: Behind the Scenes at Leaf & Limb
Candids captured by our crew on the job.
Still Using Hedge Trimmers? Hand Pruning is Better for Your Shrubs
It's faster, cheaper, and healthier for your plants.
Checklist: Tools and Supplies for Hand Pruning Your Shrubs
Not sure where to begin with hand pruning? We've created a short list of tools and supplies to get you started.
How To Trim Bushes Properly (Why Hand Pruning Beats Hedge Trimmers)
Learn how to trim bushes properly using professional hand pruning techniques. Avoid the hydra effect, reduce maintenance, and keep shrubs healthier year after year....
January 2023 Treecologist Tribune
Dormant Season: Winter Tree Care
Sapling Stories: Bald Cypress
Some of the oldest trees in the world live right in our backyard. You just have to go on an adventure to find them....
October 2022 Treecologist Tribune
We Only Plant Native Trees
Friend or Foe? Snakes (Yes, Even Copperheads) are Important to Our Ecosystem.
Learning to co-exist with our slender, scaly neighbors is part of our shared responsibility to create thriving ecosystems and a healthier planet.
Project Pando: Native Seed Hub
Help Project Pando collect native tree and shrub seeds!
Project Pando Needs Your Help! How to Collect Native Tree Seeds
A fun and easy way to learn more about native plants and help heal the planet at the same time!
Video | Piedmont Prairies: An Alternative to Grass and Lawns Where Beauty and Life Thrive!
Watch to learn more about the benefits and beauty that Piedmont Prairies provide.
August 2022 Treecologist Tribune
Beat the Heat: Keep You and Your Plants Cool
Piedmont Prairies: The Process & What to Expect
Creating a Piedmont Prairie takes time and patience, but it is well worth the wait.
Planting a Piedmont Prairie Helped Change the Way I See the World
A story about Basil, flowers, and finding a deeper connection with Mother Earth
Video | How to Structurally Prune a Tree for Strength
One of the most effective ways to maintain the long-term health of your trees is structural pruning.
[Case Study] Before and After: Structural Pruning on an Oak Tree
Structural pruning may look different than what you expect, but it helps ensure your trees' long-term health and safety.
Video | How to Spot a Dead or Dying Tree
Watch to learn what signs you should be looking for that tell you your tree might be dead or dying.
Video | Bigger is Not Always Better! Planting Small Can Lead to Big Benefits.
choosing to plant smaller trees is often a better option, both for you and for your tree. Saplings are easier to plant, need less...
Bigger is Not Better! 3 Reasons Why You Should Plant Trees When They are Smaller
Planting trees when they are saplings is easier, requires less maintenance, and the trees typically grow more quickly.
Video | How Invasives Harm Our Local Ecosystem (And the ONE Thing You Can Do to Help)
Watch to learn how invasives impact ecosystems, and find out more about why it is so important to plant native trees and shrubs.
10 Invasive Plants to Watch Out for in Central North Carolina
These invasive trees, shrubs, and vines damage our local ecosystems and should be replaced with native plants.
How Invasive Trees and Shrubs Harm Our Local Ecosystem and One Way You Can Reverse That Damage
We are facing a rapid loss of biodiversity. Planting native trees and shrubs instead of invasives is one way to increase biodiversity.
Spring Scavenger Hunt
Go on a search for tree buds, bluebirds, and more.
Compost Tea Makes Soil Healthy and Trees Happy
Learn more about our incredible deep root fertilizer for your trees & shrubs!
Fascinators and Flagella: How to Host a Tea Party for Soil Microbes
Want more microbes to visit your garden? Simply steep a pot of compost tea.
Are Mulch Volcanoes Threatening The Trees in Your Neighborhood?
We've developed an emergency alert system to determine how much damage is being done to your trees.
Video | Mulch Volcanoes: Deceptively Deadly
Piles of mulch at the base of trees might look nice, except for one little issue... they are killing your tree.
Video | Tea for Your Trees
Watch to learn how compost tea improves the health of your soil and the ongoing benefits this has for your trees and shrubs.
Sapling Stories: Beryl's Beauties
White Oak trees grown in honor of Grandmama Beryl who loved her trees, being outside, and spending countless hours with her grandchildren.
Video | Sheep, Seeds, and Swales: An Update from Project Pando
Here's a recap of what we accomplished this year at our volunteer-driven tree nursery that sustainably grows native trees to give to the public...
6 Reasons Why Planting A Native Tree Benefits the Environment and Our Local Ecosystem
Native trees need less care, have a better chance of survival, and provide food and shelter for local wildlife.
Video | Drop That Rake: Save Time and Money by Leaving Your Leaves
Why leaving the leaves benefits you AND your trees.
Project Pando: Native Seed Drive 2021
Want to help heal the planet? Help Project Pando collect 100,000 native tree and shrub seeds this fall!
10 Simple Steps to a Perfectly Planted Tree or Shrub
Proper planting is essential to the health of your tree.
Video | How to Plant a Tree: The Definitive Guide to Proper Planting
Everything you need to know about how to plant a tree or shrub perfectly every time
Video | 3 Ways City Life Stresses Trees (And What You Can Do to Help)
Trees in the urban environment face unique challenges and need special care.
Emerald Ash Borers are Killing Trees. A Simple Treatment Can Stop Them.
If ash trees in North Carolina are not treated soon, we will likely lose all of our ash trees within the next five years....
Why is Tree Care Important? Outside of the Forest, Trees Face Unique Challenges.
Trees in our backyards and urban environments need extra care and attention.
Business Conservationist of the Year
Leaf & Limb was awarded the 57th annual Business Conservationist of the Year from North Carolina Wildlife Federation
4 Options for Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs the Cheap, Easy, and Healthy Way
Choose compost, leaf mulch, wood chips, or biochar over chemicals.
Chemical Fertilizers: 3 Surprising Myths and Why You Should Choose Organic Matter Instead
Resist the urge to use chemicals on your trees and shrubs. Use compost, wood chips, or leaf mulch instead.
Video | Did you Know? The Secret to Fertilizing your Trees and Shrubs Without Using Chemicals.
A better way to fertilize your trees: care for the little critters in the soil.
Not Sure How to Care for your Trees? 4 Simple Steps to Happy, Healthy Trees
Do this, not that, when caring for your trees.
Video | 4 Fundamentals of Tree Care
Want your trees to live long, healthy lives? Watch to learn about four fundamental practices, that you can start today, to ensure the health...
[Parody] Video | Introducing Timber: the Only Dating App for Trees
It's time for your trees to fall... in love.
Video | Introducing Archie the Arborist: 5 Amazing Tree Facts
Trees are amazing and beautiful! Watch this video to learn more about these fascinating, complex organisms.
How to Spot a Southern Pine Beetle Infestation
Have you noticed your pine trees are turning brown from the top down? You might have a problem.
We Show That We Care: The History of Project Pando
Before we started a native tree farm, Leaf & Limb donated thousands of hours between 2017-2020.
Video | How to Plant a Tree: 5 Questions to Ask Before You Pick Up a Shovel
Watch to learn how our Treecologists determine if they have the right tree for the right place.
10 Native Trees to Plant in Central North Carolina
Our Treecologists' favorite trees that thrive in planting zones 7b/8a
Drop that Shovel! 5 Questions to Ask Before Planting
How to assess the qualities of a location before planting.
Holiday Gift Guide for That Special Tree in Your Life
Not sure what to get the tree that has everything? Our Treecologists compiled a list just for you.
Measure What Matters - We are B Corp Certified!
Learn more about why we are proud to be a Certified B Corporation.
Healthy Eating Plate for Trees
Trees need a balanced diet of water, sunlight, and rotting stuff.
Top 10 Reasons to Choose Wood Chips Over Other Types of Mulch
A cheap, easy solution to increase the health of your trees.
Video | Wood Chips: The Secret Ingredient to Healthy Trees
Watch to learn more about how the benefits of wood chips and how to properly install them.
Video | Welcome to Project Pando
Learn more about our volunteer tree farm where we are growing native trees to give away to the public for free.
How to Select a Safe Branch for a Tree Swing
The top 5 things to consider when picking a branch for a tree swing.
Are Your Trees Safe? Prune to Make Them Stronger.
Structural pruning is key to the long-term health and safety of your trees.
Video | Structure is Strength - How to Make your Trees More Safe Using Pruning.
Watch to learn more about how structural pruning is the key to strong, healthy trees.
Recipe: Savory Soil Casserole
Earthy. Aromatic. Full of fungi. This all-natural favorite is hit with trees and shrubs.
Video | Soil is Alive
Learn more about the key differences between healthy soil and dead dirt.
Your Dirt is Hungry
Soil is a living, breathing, eating organism that needs rotting material like compost and leaves and wood chips to stay healthy.
Earth Day Bingo
How tree-friendly is your yard? What do you do to celebrate nature?
How Trees Can Heal Earth & What We Can Do to Help
Ways you can plant and care for trees to help address some of our biggest environmental challenges and help restore life on this planet....
Video | How Trees Can Save the Earth
Abundant healthy trees create happy people and a vibrant planet.
Spring Scavenger Hunt
Go on a search for dogwood flowers, redbud blooms, and more.
Spring Tree Care Checklist
It's the season for pest management, mulching, and soil improvement.
Video | Planning to Prune? Use this simple framework and avoid deadly mistakes.
Follow this simple framework to set pruning goals and prevent deadly damage to your trees and shrubs.
Don't Make a Deadly Mistake: Top 10 Questions to Consider Before Pruning
Improper pruning cuts cause irreversible harm that often results in decline in health, structural instability, or death.
Video | Rooted by Our Purpose: A New Direction at Leaf & Limb
At Leaf & Limb, caring for trees has always been the heart of what we do, but this means we sometimes have to make...
Video | Want More Birds in your Backyard? Plant These Native Trees.
Watch this video to find out why native trees are important and which ones you should choose.
Why Dead Wood is Good Wood
Helen Yoest from Bee Better Naturally explains why you should consider leaving a dead tree where it stands.
Best Native Trees for Butterflies
A comprehensive list of native trees that support butterflies, birds, and other wildlife.
Fall & Winter Tree Care Checklist
Leave your leaves, plant new trees, and other important tasks
Video | Fall Tree Care Checklist: Leave your Leaves, Plant New Trees, and Other Important Tasks
Watch this video to find out what you should do or hire someone to do during the dormant season.
Video | Trees are Critical to Our Future
Environmental change is overwhelming. Trees (and healthy soil) might be the antidote.
How I Learned to Love My Trees
...or how paying attention to my backyard opened me up to a whole new world of the benefits of trees.
Top 10 Most Surprising Benefits of Trees
Trees play a vital role in our ecosystem but also have many surprising benefits to humans.
Video | How to Spot the Warning Signs: Dead, Dying or Hazardous Trees
Watch this video for some basic tips on how to determine if a tree is dead or dying.
How to Spot a Dead or Dying Tree
It can be challenging to identify a dead or dying tree. Here's what to look for first.
Think Your Tree is Dead? Look a Little Closer
7 Common Ways Trees Play Dead (But are Actually Still Alive)
Our Favorite Tree Recommendations for Tricky Areas
Including trees that do well near roads, in heavily shaded areas, and in wet soil.
Video | How To: Choosing the Right Tree for Any Location
Watch this video for some basic tips on how to pick the right tree for any location.
Right Tree, Right Place: What to Plant and Where to Plant it
The top 4 questions to ask when selecting a tree.
Using Fertilizer? Think Twice Before You Do.
Find out why many fertilizers offer short-term gain, but inflict long-term pain.
The #1 Reason Most Soil Tests Don't Work
Traditional soil tests are missing one key component: biology.
Friend or Foe: When to Take Action Against Pests
How to tell when to treat for pests and when to wait
The Insect Apocalypse is Here. How Can You Help?
6 ways to make your yard friendlier for bugs
16 Fascinating Facts About Fungi
Fungi play a vital role in plant health and they contribute to our ecosystem in so many different ways.
Mycorrhizal Fungi: The Unsung Heroes of Tree Care
Trees and shrubs cannot survive with out this helpful fungi
Case Study: Watch How Soil Improvement Turned this Tree from Sickly to Stately
This magnolia tree was wholly transformed by the reintroduction of healthy, living soil.
From Dead Dirt to Healthy Soil in 7 Simple Steps
Transform dead dirt into healthy soil using these tried-and-true methods.
6 Pruning Mistakes to Avoid
Maintain healthy trees and shrubs by avoiding these six common pruning mistakes.
Help Save the Monarch Butterflies!
The Monarch Butterfly is an iconic North American species, but it is in trouble. Find out how you can help.
How to Install and Enjoy Your Rain Gauge
An essential tool that helps you monitor whether your trees and shrubs are receiving adequate water.
4 Fascinating Facts About Mistletoe
At first glance, these hemi-parasitic plants might seem harmful to your trees, but mistletoe provides a wealth of benefits to ecosystems.
8 Ways to Accidentally Kill Your Tree When Planting
Planting is not as simple as just digging a hole. Avoid these 8 behaviors to ensure that your tree will be happy and healthy...
Proper Care for Newly Planted Trees
Follow these basic steps about watering, mulching, pruning, fertilizer, and more to ensure that your trees have a strong foundation for a long, healthy life....
Save Time This Fall: Leave Your Leaves
Three ways to use leaves to benefit your trees and shrubs.
Drop that Rake! Why Leaving the Leaves is Vital to Your Trees' Health
Leaves provide many benefits, and they even offset some harmful behaviors. Here are just a few reasons to leave your leaves.
Video | The Fundamentals of Mulch: Proper Care, Installation, and Selection
Watch this video for some basic tips on how to select, install, and care for mulch.
Video | How To: The Fundamentals Of Watering
Watch this video for some basic tips on how to best water your trees and shrubs.
Too Many Choices: Which Mulch or Weed Barrier Should I Choose?
The towering mulch shelves at any home improvement store can be overwhelming. So which one is right for your trees and shrubs?
How To: The Fundamentals of Mulch Installation
Follow these basic steps to ensure that mulch is installed properly.
When Good Mulch Goes Bad
Mulch is key way to keeping trees healthy, but only if it is in good shape.
Soaker Hoses, Irrigation Systems, and Treegators, Oh My!
3 ways to set your watering to autopilot.
Five Ways to Spot a Thirsty Tree or Shrub
How can you really tell if your plants need water? Here are a few tips and tools you can use to be sure your...
Drought Resistant Trees
Our Treecologists selected a few of their favorite hardy trees.
How To: The Fundamentals of Watering
Follow these basic steps to keep your trees and shrubs healthy.
The Joy of Planting Native Trees in Durham, North Carolina
Leaf & Limb employees planting trees during Arbor Day at Durham Central Park.
Crepe Myrtle Pruning Class and Demonstration
A Tale of Love, Murder, and Proper Pruning
Brightening Up Neighborhoods Across Durham
Leaf & Limb employees volunteered to plant trees in neighborhoods across Durham, NC.
Changing lives one seed at a time in Durham
Changing lives one seed at a time in Durham
Soil Decompaction - An Essential for Good Tree Health
Compacted dirt is devoid of life because there is no water and no oxygen. Life on Earth needs both to survive.
Emerald Ash Borer is in NC!
The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle that causes major harm. It is now in North Carolina.
Cabling & Bracing - Options for Making Your Tree Safer
Cables & brace rods can often reduce the possibility of a branch or trunk split by providing support structures.
Tree Care for Crape Myrtles
Crape Myrtles are truly beautiful trees. It is no wonder that they have become a favorite across North Carolina and the rest of the...
How to Prevent Tree Damage
Trees can cause incredible damage to people and property. It is essential to identify potential problems early, before they turn into actual problems.
Help! My Tree Has a Disease!
What can you do if your trees or shrubs have a disease? Here are some pointers.
Dragon’s Blood Tree
The Dracaena Cinnabari, or, the Dragon's Blood Tree, is a fascinating tree!
Deep Root Fertilization: Myths & The Truth
Deep root fertilization should be used to help rebuild your soil food web, not as a way of pumping nutrients into the soil.
The Dangerous Truth About Ghost Insurance Policies
If you hire a tree service that has a ghost insurance policy, and someone is injured on your property, you could be held responsible...
Happy Trees Begin With Proper Planting
Proper planting is critical to a tree's health. How you plant your tree will determine whether it lives a healthy life or a short...
Trees & Shrubs Need Check-Ups Too!
Just like visiting the doctor on a regular basis for a health check-up, regular inspections help keep trees and shrubs healthy and problem-free.
How To Protect Your Trees from a Lightning Strike
You cannot prevent a lightning strike, but you can reduce its potential harm on a tree and nearby structures by installing a lightning protection...
Mulching: A Cheap, Easy Way to Increase the Health of Your Trees!
With the right product and installation, mulching provides an amazing set of health benefits for your trees and shrubs.
Crape Myrtles: A Tale of Love, Murder, and Proper Pruning
When pruning Crape Myrtles, avoid improper pruning techniques such as Crape Murder. Instead, use proper pruning techniques to produce a beautiful, healthy tree.
The World's Oldest Trees
Trees make up some of the oldest known living organisms on the planet.
Help! Insects are Attacking my Trees & Shrubs!
What can you do if insects are attacking your trees and shrubs? Here are some pointers.
Tree Care: Save Money and Increase Your Property Value
Your trees look beautiful and can increase property value by as much as 20%. Thus tree care solutions should be considered before tree removal...
Root Collar Excavation is Critical to Your Tree's Survival!
A buried root collar is a serious health issue for a tree or shrub. It is a common issue in the urban landscape, one...
10 Tips on How to Choose the Right Tree Service and Avoid Scams
Our industry is full of con artists and fly-by-night crooks. Take the following precautions to avoid being scammed.
Happy Trees Grow From Healthy Soil
In order for a tree to be healthy and happy, it needs healthy soil, which includes a functioning soil food web, aeration, adequate moisture,...
What is Tree Care?
Tree care aims to maintain or improve the structure, appearance, and vitality of your trees and shrubs. Good health is a plant’s first, strongest...
Mulch Volcanoes: the Mt. St. Helens of Tree Problems
A mulch volcano, which is the term used to refer to mulch piled around the base of a tree or shrub, is very harmful...
Trees Need a Thriving Soil Food Web
Rebuild and rejuvenate the soil food web to improve the health of your trees and shrubs. Excellent health is a plant’s strongest line of...
