Lori C. of Santa Rosa asks: I would like to plant a ground cover under a few of my trees for added color. Is it OK to rototill the soil around the trees to loosen up the soil to make it easier for me ...

Trees with soil or mulch piled around the bases of their trunks exhibit symptoms of stress and have shorter life spans than trees that are planted and maintained at the proper depth. Well-meaning ...

Roots belong underground. So why do we often find visible tree roots snaking along the soil surface in the lawn or garden? Some kinds of trees, such as maples, poplars and willows, naturally have ...

Q: I have two trees that were planted some 15 years ago improperly as the lawn sprinklers were used for watering instead of drip. The roots are spreading in all directions, and I am worried they may ...

A girdling root is one that circles the base of a tree at or just below the surface. Girdling roots can also girdle other roots but without harm. The most commonly affected species are maples, lindens ...

Chances are you have a tree in your yard. If not, you are likely planning to plant one. The benefits of trees, particularly in our climate, are numerous. One of the most important benefits is shade, ...

Trees provide more than just aesthetic value to a lawn, as they are a vital part of the scenery, offering shade, beauty, and environmental benefits. However, the roots that once nurtured the tree can ...

We don’t often think about the roots of trees until there is a problem. A forester friend of mine called it a “fencepost mentality.” Being underground, they are often out of sight out of mind. However ...

Q: I have a pine tree on the edge of my lawn that has clusters of mushrooms coming up around the base of the trunk. My friend told me these mushrooms are a sign that the tree has rotting roots and the ...

This live oak with its mass of surface roots was a poor choice for parkway planting. Neil Sperry Special to the Star-Telegram There’s not one of us who hasn’t been impacted by supply chain issues ...

Question: I’m going to be planting some fruit trees this spring, and I’m wondering if it’s better for me to buy the trees in a big pot from a nursery or if I should get them from a mail order place ...