How Strong Is This Low Branch’’?

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How Strong Is This Low Branch’’?

Backyard Wisdom - May 2021
by: Gilbert A Smith, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist

This White Oak branch has been hanging in there for about 80 years so we can assume that it is pretty strong. Growing in Old School Forest Preserve in Lake County, IL, this tree is in its natural state, but what if it was growing in your landscape? Would you worry about this branch falling? Many homeowners worry, and for what seems like good reason; this branch is low, long and heavy. We wonder, how can it possibly not break? Because of that, in many landscapes, all of the beautiful low branches on our trees are cut off.

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What Does It Mean That Trees Are Tribal?

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What Does It Mean That Trees Are Tribal?

Mother Nature’s Moment - May 2021
by: Lesley Bruce Smith, ISA Certified Arborist

These last two years we have all learned about our deep needs as humans to be together. We were not meant to live in isolation, to spend long hours, days, months with very little meaningful interaction with others. Going about our days behind masks, unable to even read the cues that all of us take for granted in our unspoken communications with one another. We have been diminished by all of this and knowingly or unknowingly are in grief around all we have lost.

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