So often we choose a tree because of its flowers, leaves, fall color or its fruit. Often, we forget about the bark. However, on many trees, the bark is the most interesting part of the tree. This can ...

Once leaves drop from trees, splitting, peeling, bleached or oozing bark may become more noticeable. The cause can range from normal bark development to environmental causes or disease. If tree bark ...

Q: We just noticed that our pine tree has a lot of loose bark. I guess we’re not very observant because it looks like it’s been going on for some time. Is this due to the drought? We have not been ...

It’s easy to understand why some refer to winter as “stick season.” Snow cover, gray skies, and cold temperatures could lead to agreement that there is nothing but sticks to look at in the garden. But ...

When fall’s cold nights kill the flowers and cause so many of our trees and shrubs to drop their leaves, the bareness shines our focus on what’s left – for one thing, tree trunks. Trunks and their ...

Visitors to my gardens often stop to ask about a tree with unusual form or foliage, but only rarely do they notice bark. That changes after autumn leaves fall. Mottled, peeling or colorful bark, ...

Trees can be identified in winter by observing their needles, bark, branching patterns, and buds. Distinctive bark, such as ...

Q. I recently noticed an odd raised ridge of corky looking growth on the branches of a five-year-old sweetgum tree in my landscape. Does my tree have a problem? A. The growth on the limbs is nothing ...

Q. My 20-something-old redbud tree has developed lichens on the trunk, which is a first. Do I have a problem and is there anything I should do? I have another one in the yard which doesn’t have this ...