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The Deciduous Dawn Redwood: A Living Fossil
The dawn redwood is one of the most fascinating trees you can plant in your landscape with its towering trunk, buttressed root flare, soft ferny leaves and fascinating story. Known as a “living fossil,” this remarkable species was once believed to be extinct and known only through the fossil record—until a small population was rediscovered…
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Want to Plant a New Tree? Here’s How to Give it a Strong Start!
Planting a new tree is one of the best investments you can make in your landscape. Trees provide shade, improve property value, reduce stormwater runoff, and create habitat for birds and pollinators. But even the healthiest nursery tree can struggle if it’s planted incorrectly. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is creating “mulch…
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Want Tough Native Shrubs in Your Landscape? Here Are Some Great Options!
When homeowners think about upgrading their landscape, flowers and ornamental trees often steal the spotlight. But native shrubs are the quiet workhorses of a thriving yard. They provide year-round structure, support local wildlife, require less maintenance once established, and are naturally adapted to regional weather conditions. Whether you’re designing a pollinator garden, creating privacy, or…
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These Early Blooming Trees Avoid Frost Damage!
Early spring flowering trees are some of the most spectacular landscape plants in Northeast Ohio. Unfortunately, many of the showiest species—including saucer magnolias—bloom too early. When a period of warm weather is followed by temperatures plunging below freezing, many popular early-blooming trees suffer the consequences. Fortunately, several native and well-adapted trees have developed strategies to get…
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Want a More Urban Tolerant Pine for Northeast Ohio? Consider the Southwestern White Pine!
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is one of the signature conifers of the Midwest and Great Lakes—fast, graceful, soft-needled, and capable of becoming a true legacy tree. But if you’ve tried to use it in typical Northeast Ohio landscape sites—dry lawns, reflected heat, intermittent drought and urban air—you’ve probably seen the weak points: thinning crowns, winter…
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Tired of the Disease-Prone Austrian Pine? Consider The Hybrid Pitlolly Pine!
If you landscape in Northeast Ohio, you’re likely familiar with the Austrian pine: fast early growth, dense needles, “instant evergreen,” and then… the slow-motion decline. Needle cast diseases, tip blight and a preference for cool summers have made the Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) a risky default in many parts of the Great Lakes. So what do you…
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What Harsh Winters Teach Us About Urban Forestry in Northeast Ohio
If winter 2026 is teaching us anything, it’s this: urban trees are frontline infrastructure. When deep freezes, ice storms, wind, and wild temperature swings hit, our urban forest either absorbs the impact—or fails in very visible, very expensive ways. Harsh winters aren’t just weather events. They’re stress tests. And the results tell us a lot about…
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The Polar Vortex Collapsed and These Species Didn’t Even Blink!
Winter 2026 continues to throw everything it has at Northeast Ohio — plunging temperatures, deep snow, and howling winds that test even the toughest trees. While some species struggle, others stand strong, showing off resilience that’s worth celebrating (and planting more of). Here’s a spotlight on trees that are handling this tough winter remarkably well…
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Does Your Yard Get Saturated in Winter? Here’s How to Protect Your Trees!
In Northeast Ohio, winters are a mixed bag of frigid temperatures, heavy snowfall, and occasional rainfall. While the region is known for its harsh, icy winters, another less obvious problem arises when temperatures fluctuate and heavy rains or snowmelt occur—winter saturation of clay soil. This is especially problematic for trees, which rely on healthy soil…
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Want to Choose the Right Tree for Your Yard in Northeast Ohio? Here’s What to Know in 2026!
Planting a tree is one of the best ways to enhance the beauty, health, and ecological balance of your yard or garden. But with so many options out there, how do you know which tree is the best fit for your space, climate, and long-term goals? In 2026, there are even more considerations than ever…
