Tree Care Tips
Welcome to Tree Care Tips
Trees make a difference. They clean our air and water. They fight climate change. And they beautify our neighborhoods. But they can only provide these benefits if they’re healthy and growing. Proper tree care is the key to keeping trees healthy and growing. It’s also the key to extending their lives.
Our tree care tips cover the basics—from planting and pests to mulching and storm damage. They provide homeowners and tree care professionals with information on caring for trees and protecting our landscapes. They keep everyone informed on the latest in tree care activities and help our urban forests thrive.
“Thanks for proper mulching instructions. I had improperly mulched the day before, so I went out and corrected it today.”
Dormant Oils: An Eco-friendly Strike Against Pests
February 5, 2026
Oils are often recommended as a “clean slate” treatment for professional arborists and eco-conscious homeowners. Oils are highly refined petroleum or plant-based products (such as mineral, canola, or soybean oil) used as non-toxic insecticides and miticides. Applied to trees and shrubs during late winter to early spring, these oils are exceptionally effective against pests that […]
Dominate Your Landscape: Use Biocontrol to Defeat Deadly Pests
January 20, 2026
by John Campanini, Technical Directors, RITree For years, the standard response to a pest infestation was a “scorched earth” policy. If a pest was killing your trees, you sprayed a chemical cocktail to kill it—and, inadvertently, everything else in the vicinity. But as our environmental awareness grew and chemical resistance turned “superbugs” into a reality, […]
Discover 7 Secrets to Hiring a Certified Arborist that Fits Your Needs
December 22, 2025
by John Campanini, Technical Director, RI Tree There are three main reasons why you might need an arborist. A large tree has visible dead limbs or significant cracks, and you need to hire an arborist to do a safety inspection and remove any hazards. A mature tree has broken limbs hanging dangerously after a storm […]
Unlock Juicier Harvests: Master 6 Simple Fruit Tree Pruning Secrets!
November 11, 2025
by John Campanini, Technical Director, RI Tree The best time to prune trees is when they’re dormant. That’s typically in late fall, winter, or early spring (before new growth begins). These times are ideal for pruning because trees are resting. This minimizes tree stress and sets the stage for vigorous growth during the season. Pruning mature […]
Revitalize Your Trees: Discover the Power of Root Deep Care Today!”
October 27, 2025
Urban trees often require fertilization. That’s mainly due to the unique characteristics of city soils. Signs urban trees need fertilization include yellowing leaves (chlorosis), thinning canopies, short twigs, stunted growth, branch dieback, a weak response to mild drought, and early leaf drop. If you see these signs, your tree or trees need fertilization. Here are […]
Revitalize Your Trees: Discover the Power of Root Deep Care Today!”
October 27, 2025
by John Campanini, Technical Director, RI Tree Urban trees often need fertilization. That’s mainly due to the unique characteristics of city soils.Signs that urban trees need fertilization include yellowing leaves (chlorosis), thinning canopies, short twigs, stunted growth, branch dieback, a weak response to mild drought, and early leaf drop. These issues are often the result […]
Protect Your Plants and Trees Today: Six Top Tips Against Sudden Frosts
October 15, 2025
by John Campanini, Technical Director, RITree The National Weather Service recently issued a freeze advisory for Rhode Island, indicating that temperatures drop as low as 29°F. Sudden, unseasonal frosts like this endanger plants and trees because they hit them before they have had time to prepare for cold weather. Cold acclimation or hardening is the […]
Reclaim Your Yard: Secrets to Removing Tree Stumps Cost-effectively
October 8, 2025
Do you have an ugly tree stump in your yard? Stumps are more than eyesores; they’re wooden remnants of a project that pose serious and costly hazards. They should be removed as quickly as possible. If you’re “stumped” by what to do with a stump, you’re not alone. Many landowners face the same issue. Removing […]
Tree Care Tip
September 22, 2025
Seven Tips on Planting a Tree in the Fall Fall is an excellent time to plant trees, especially after leaf drop (between September 15 and November 1). It offers significant advantages over spring planting, including good soil and weather conditions. But first, you must select the right tree for the given area and then plant […]
Transform Your Landscape: What Questions to Ask Before Planting Trees
September 22, 2025
by: John Campanini, Technical Director, RITree Trees properly cared for in a nursery or garden center and given the proper care during transport are plantable almost anytime. Fall is an excellent time to plant trees, especially after leaf drop (between September 15 and November 1). Many nurseries and garden centers, in fact, hold end-of-season sales, […]
Revitalize Your Landscape: Discover the Hidden Benefits of Soil Aeration
September 4, 2025
Compacted soil can kill healthy trees. That’s right. Compacted soil can kill trees. It’s a silent killer. It might seem harmless if you see it, but this dense, suffocating environment deprives roots of three vital resources they need to thrive—oxygen, water, and nutrients. So, you need to address this problem as soon as you see […]
How to Transform Barren Land into Self-sustaining Forests10 Times Faster than Traditional Methods
June 24, 2025
by John Campanini, Technical Director, RI Tree This article is the first in a series about the Miyawaki Method of reforestation—a revolutionary tool for combating climate change and restoring degraded landscapes. The urgent need to restore forests has never been greater, largely due to climate change and biodiversity loss. Traditional tree-planting efforts, however, can seem […]