The Tips, Tricks, and Expertise for Better Outdoor Living Spaces

2025 Year in Review

The 2025 season brought another year of dramatic swings in weather, pest pressures, and plant health challenges across Massachusetts. From early spring leaf-out and erratic rainfall to the rapid rise of several invasive insects, homeowners saw firsthand how quickly the landscape can change. This annual review highlights the most important Massachusetts pest and plant health… View Article

2022 Year in Review

December 28, 2022
Each year, our lawns and landscapes face unique challenges. This year-in-review blog captures the biggest obstacles we dealt with here in Massachusetts. Drought Drought was a significant feature in the landscape this year. From roughly May through September, we saw significantly less rain than we typically do in that time frame. Most of the growing… View Article

2021 Natural Tree and Lawn Care – Year in Review

January 17, 2022
Ticks & Mosquitoes Positive West Nile Virus (WNV) mosquito samples were identified in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester Counties. During the course of this year 7 human cases of WNV were detected in in Bristol, Essex, and Middlesex Counties, according to the MA Department of Public Health…. View Article

Japanese Knotweed

August 18, 2021
Japanese knotweed, (Fallopia japonica syn. Polygonum cuspidatum) is an invasive herbaceous perennial weed introduced from East Asia in the late 1800s as an ornamental and to stabilize streambanks. This has partially aided in dispersal of the plant along streams as seed and other plant parts can be carried downstream and establish new populations. Where does… View Article
poison ivy

Common Questions about Poison Ivy

July 8, 2021
If you’ve ever had a rash from poison ivy, you probably take precautions to assure the plant isn’t growing in and around your yard and avoid it as best possible. Each year, we receive calls from homeowners about poison ivy and the best way to remove the troublesome plant. We’ve put together this list, answering… View Article

Red Thread in Lawns

June 4, 2021
Red Thread in lawns looks like its name suggests, light pink or reddish threadlike patches.  Infected turfgrass will turn light tan, and the leaf tips or margins may be covered with fine pink to red threads, giving the turf an overall pink coloration. How? When? Red Thread, also known as Pink Patch, appears within lawns… View Article
backyard

2020 Year In Review

December 16, 2020
Lawns, trees and shrubs are living organisms and therefore face their own battles throughout the year. Now is the perfect time to recap many of the diseases, pests and environmental factors that took place in 2020. As professionals, we try our best to aid these living organisms to remain healthy or provide solutions as needed…. View Article

More Posts & Updates

When Evergreens Shed: Understanding Natural Needle Drop in Fall

As the seasons change, it’s easy to assume that evergreens—those steadfast trees that stay green year-round—never shed their needles. But if you’ve noticed a layer of brown needles beneath your ...
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Spotted Lanternfly

  Updated: September 2025 The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive planthopper native to China, India, and Vietnam. First detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in September 2014, it ...
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care for new grass seedlings

How to Care for New Grass Seedlings After Aeration and Overseeding

Aeration and overseeding are two of the best services you can provide to rejuvenate your lawn. Once the process is complete, proper care is essential to ensure your new grass ...
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compost top dressing

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Apply Compost Topdressing and Overseed with Turf-Type Tall Fescue

As we look ahead to the cooler months of fall, it's one of the best opportunities to improve your lawn's health from the ground up. At Natural Tree and Lawn, ...
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Better Water Management Starts with Better Soil: How To Help Your Lawn Thrive

Water is essential to a healthy, green lawn—but not all lawns use water equally. If your lawn seems to dry out quickly, even after a good rain or irrigation, your ...
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The Secret to a Thriving Lawn? It Starts with Quality Soil

When it comes to building a healthy, vibrant lawn, most homeowners think about seed types, fertilizers, and how often to mow. But there's a less glamorous, often overlooked component that ...
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