Metros Sub-Grant Application

Philadelphia Tree Application

Pittsburgh Tree Application

Benefits Of Trees

Native Trees of PA

Selecting Trees

Planting New Trees

Identifying My Tree

Caring For Your Trees

What Is Killing My Trees?

Finding An Arborist

TreeVitalize Streams

TreeVitalize Watersheds

Participating Nurseries

Coupon Terms

Planting Instructions

Native Tree List

Nursery Registration

Caring for your Trees

 

Plant a tree and nature will take care of the rest, right? Not necessarily. The trees in our yards, neighborhoods, and along our streets are a valuable asset, and require our help to keep them healthy. Proper tree care is based on science and research, not wives tales and myths. There is a “right way” and a “wrong way” to care for trees. Here are some tips you need to know to keep your trees healthy and working for you.

• Keeping Your Trees Healthy
• Pruning Trees
• Learn How to Prune Properly
• Safety First
• Trees and Utilities: Can they share the same space?
• Fruit Tree Pruning
• Mulch - Too Much Can Harm Your Tree
• Dealing with Drought - Keeping Trees Healthy
• When Does a Tree Become a Risk?
• Frequently Asked Questions about Tree Care from the Tree Care Industry Association

  Think Before You Top Your Tree - Get the Facts:

  
  Topping is the senseless practice of indiscriminately removing a majority of a tree’s branches. Topping violates acceptable pruning practices, including National Tree Care Standards (ANSI A-300). Many people think that topping will help their tree or make them smaller and safer, but in reality it is one of the worst things you can do to your tree! Topping does not make your tree safer. Topping actually creates a more dangerous tree because it opens branches up to decay and rot fungi, slowly weakening the tree internally, shortening its life, and causes future branch breakage and storm damage. Before you prune your trees, get some advice from the local Shade Tree Commission or Penn State Cooperative Extension office about proper pruning and how to select a qualified arborist, such as an ISA Certified Arborist.
  
  
  
  

  Topping Trees removes too many food making leaves and opens them up to disease, decay and a slow death.	Topping Doesn't Work - Two years after topping the tree has regained its height	Topping or Heading Cuts cause internal decay and rot making the branches prone to breakage

  
  
  The following site has a list of University and Industry websites that explain the problems that arise when you top your tree
  http://www.steamboats.com/hobbies/treetoppinglinks.html
  
  Tree Topping - Tree Care or Tree Abuse? Iowa State University Publication
  http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/SUL7.pdf
  http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/spfiles/SP549.pdf
  
  TLC for Trees Homepage - a partnership between University of Tennessee and USDA Forest Service - good video clips
  http://www.tlcfortrees.info/home.htm
  
  Why Tree Topping Hurts Trees
  http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/topping.aspx
  
  Plant Amnesty’s Bad Pruning Gallery - (very funny images)
  http://www.plantamnesty.org/pruning_gallery/twirling%20we%20go.htm
  
  5 Reasons Not to Top Your Tree
  
  Urban Tree Foundation 's Tree Topping Website
  
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