I have a holistic, tree-friendly approach, gained through decades of hands-on work. Many times, trees know what they are about and how to live their lives. The wrong tree planted in the wrong place, answered with a chain saw, is not a win/win solution.

Most times, supplying enough water and careful pruning, especially dead-wooding, is all that trees need. Dead-wooding is a major health boost, allowing the tree to close up wounds much more quickly than the natural process of letting them rot off. With fewer infection sites, the tree stays healthier.

Pruning can be many things, from the light touch of showing off the tree’s natural form to regularly pruned trees such as espalier and bonsai. These ancient arts can supply beauty and interest to a garden. There is also a very practical side to pruning. When it is thoughtfully performed, house, garage, wires, and sidewalk clearances, can disappear or fade into the background rather than being an eyesore.