Healthy trees enhance the aesthetics and vitality of our homes and communities. Trees support physical and psychological health and well-being. Trees improve air and water quality, assist in stormwater management and mitigate greenhouse gases. Trees are hard-working members of our communities!

Healthy, sound trees provide the most benefit, so it makes sense to give our trees the best possible care, beginning with the tree that we choose [link to “Right Tree, Right Place” page], right through proper planting [link to “Plant your tree properly” page], correct pruning [link to “Prune your tree correctly” page], and good care [link to “Health Care for your tree” page] throughout their long lives. Learn more about the steps to good tree care through the links on the left.

Here are a few tips to help you have the best-looking trees in your neighborhood:

• Choose [link to “Right Tree, Right Place” page] the right tree for the location.
• Plant [link to “Plant your tree properly” page] the tree properly during the best planting season in your area.
• Remember that young trees need water [link to “Health Care for your tree” page]! They don’t have enough root system to find their own yet.
• Mulch [link to “Health Care for your tree” page]  – good! Mulch ‘volcanoes’ suffocating the trunk – BAD!
• Correct pruning [link to “Prune your tree correctly” page] practices are critically important to your tree’s health, structural integrity and beauty. Trees do not ‘grow out of’ a bad pruning job like a bad haircut. If you are unsure about pruning your tree, consult with a professional—your local Certified Arborist [link to searchable database].
• Protect trees from breakage and mechanical damage to trunk and limbs.
• If you need help, get advice from the best sources available to you:  your local Extension Service, State Urban and Community Forestry Program, and of course, your local Certified Arborist [link to searchable database].

Resources for further information

“Think trees—from the ground up!” – web-based flipbook, Pacific Northwest chapter of the ISA

National Tree Benefits Calculator

22 Benefits of Urban Street Trees - Dan Burden, Co-Founder, Walkable Communities

Landscape and Human Health Laboratory – Research headed by Dr. Frances Kuo, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Human Dimension of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening – research headed by Dr. Kathleen Wolf, University of Washington