Field Notes
Working arborists, writing.
Practical, opinionated essays on tree care from the field — not the marketing department.
Archive
Every essay.
Pruning · 5 min read
Five Pruning Myths That Cost Trees Their Lives
Topping. Lion-tailing. Sealing cuts with tar. The folk wisdom of pruning is mostly wrong — and often fatal.
March 28, 2026
Storm · 7 min read
The Pre-Storm Tree Inspection Every NJ Homeowner Should Do
Twenty minutes of inspection before hurricane season can save a roof. Here's exactly what to look for.
March 10, 2026
Tree Health · 6 min read
Saving the Storied Tree: Cabling, Bracing, and Knowing When to Stop
Modern arboriculture can extend the life of a 200-year-old oak by decades. The art is knowing which trees deserve the effort.
February 22, 2026
Firewood · 5 min read
How to Buy Firewood Without Getting Cheated
Most cords sold in NJ are short. Most 'seasoned' wood is wet. A practical guide to honest firewood.
February 6, 2026
Pests · 6 min read
Spotted Lanternfly in New Jersey: What Homeowners Should Actually Do
The hysteria has outpaced the science. A measured guide to a real but manageable pest.
January 18, 2026
Planting · 7 min read
Right Tree, Right Place: Planting for the Next Hundred Years
The most expensive tree mistakes are made the day a sapling goes in the ground.
December 30, 2025
Storm · 6 min read
Insurance Claims After Storm Damage: An Arborist's Field Guide
What your policy actually covers, what your adjuster needs, and how to avoid the most common claim mistakes.
December 12, 2025
Tree Health · 5 min read
Deep Root Fertilization: When It Helps, When It's a Waste
Lawn fertilizer is not tree fertilizer. Here's when supplemental feeding actually changes outcomes.
November 24, 2025
Industry · 6 min read
How to Hire a Tree Company Without Regret
Credentials, insurance, and the questions that separate professionals from a truck and a chainsaw.
November 5, 2025