Tree Care 101 is the foundational guide for this entire site. These articles walk through how trees actually work—roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and the living soil they depend on. You’ll learn how trees respond to light, water, and stress so your decisions are based on biology, not guesswork.

We also cover the most common issues homeowners face: surface roots, leaf drop, dieback, and “mystery” browning. Instead of quick fixes, we focus on helping you read what your tree is telling you and understand the long-term consequences of different choices. By the end, you’ll have a clear mental model for what keeps a tree healthy—and what slowly sets it up to fail.

Key Points

• Grasp the basic anatomy and life cycle of trees
• Learn how soil, water, and light actually affect tree health
• Recognize early warning signs before problems get severe
• Understand when DIY care is fine and when to call a pro