Originating in parts of Europe and Asia, Rhamnus cathartic, aka buckthorn, was brought to these shores intended to be a welcome addition to our native landscaping stock. Now that it has gone feral, pushing its way into many [...]

1) Undercut to avoid tearing.2) Making the top cut.3) The undercut stops the top cut from ripping.4) A stub before making the final cut.5) Making the final cut.6) The wound of the final cut.Photos courtesy of Lindsey Purcell. [...]

Intographics and Hans Linde/Pixabay In the early 1970s, when I started my career in the trees, my father told me, “If you can climb a tree, you’ll always have a job.” After 50-some odd years climbing, I can [...]

Photo: Unsplash/Getty-Images. A lot has certainly changed in the tree care industry since I embarked on my climbing career in the early 1970s. Tools, equipment and techniques have all evolved. Back then, manila ropes were in common use for climbing [...]

In the Milwaukee area, where I’ve spent my tree career, I’m one of the few outfits that works by the hour. Most of my competitors work by the bid. There are upsides and downsides attendant with each way of pricing [...]