Susan Hamilton, Author at

What’s going on with the Rhododendrons this year in New England?

Broadleaf evergreen shrubs like rhododendrons, hollies, and boxwoods add beauty and greenery to the winter landscape. Come spring, many homeowners are alarmed to see brown, scorched-looking leaves and damaged foliage. What happened? In many cases, the culprit is winter burn—a common but preventable form of cold-weather stress. What is winter burn? Winter burn is a […]

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Buck rub and Young Trees

Plant Care, Services / Susan Hamilton

Buck rub on young sapling trees indicates that a male deer (buck) has used the tree to rub its antlers. These rubs serve purposes such as marking territory, strengthening neck muscles, and removing velvet from new antler growth. Characteristics of a buck rub include: Stripped bark: The outer bark is often peeled or scraped away,

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Root zone excavations explained

Pruning & Planting, Services / Susan Hamilton

Root zone excavation (also called air spading or root collar excavation) is a method used to safely expose and inspect a tree’s roots—especially around the trunk—without damaging them. It’s often done to address soil compaction, poor drainage, root girdling, or to prep for construction near trees. How do I know if my tree needs to

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