Perhaps you need more natural shade or our blog post on the Tree of 40 Life has inspired you to plant a few fruit trees. No matter what the reason when you are ready do your homework to ensure you're planting the highest quality tree possible.

We all have a general idea of how a tree grows but there is so much more going on inside that most of us aren't even aware of.

After having that old damaged tree taken down, you're feeling pretty good about making the decision not to spend the extra money and have the stump removed. But as you walk around the yard you glance over and see new growth sprouting out of the stump and the surrounding roots. The last thing you want after going to all the trouble of getting rid of the tree is to have another one grow back in its place!

In the past we have discussed how devastating the Emerald Ash Borer beetle is to our area's ash trees. Recently Joe Skinner, with the Missouri Department of Conservation, has determined people are quickly becoming the number one reason the "Green Menace" continues to spread. The experts are now asking that homeowners no longer move firewood in an effort to contain the spread of this insidious disease.

You water your flowerbeds, your vegetable gardens, and your lawn, but do you ever think to water your trees? Generally, larger, more mature trees have deeper, stronger root systems which can withstand many environmental stresses, but eventually a lack of water will cause a tree to die.

Trees, just like human beings, can experience stress through a variety of causes. In fact, over time trees can become so stressed they end up dying. Proper tree healthcare is vital to tree longevity. so it's important to recognize any signs of duress as soon as possible. Otherwise, your tree health could suffer.

It seems natural to assume since trees reemerge from their dormancy due to the warmer spring weather, they would continue to thrive during the heat of summer. But that isn't always true especially when it comes to birch trees. While fast-growing birch trees are quite popular because of their gorgeous fall colors, birches suffering from summer heat can have their health severely affected.

Nothing is more appealing than a carefully crafted circular bench surrounding a gorgeous full tree. It's the perfect place for enjoying a good book while the kids play nearby. Or if you do a great deal of outdoor entertaining, tree benches easily provide additional seating.

How cool would it be when you need a couple apples for the kid's lunchbox to just head out the back door and pick them fresh off the tree? While fruit trees aren't completely maintenance free, the pay-off is the convenience of being able to get fresh fruit in your yard with a healthy mini orchard.

As our overall population continues to grow, more housing, manufacturing, and retail space becomes necessary. This results towering skyscrapers, acres of paved infrastructure, and the deforestation of trees and other beneficial greenery. Yet many people wonder, can trees remove pollution from cities and urban centers?