Plant Healthcare

2024 Year in Review

December 18, 2024
Weather Rainfall in recent years has been quite erratic.  We had a very wet spring this year a fairly average summer, and an incredibly dry fall.  Last year we saw a fairly average spring, a very wet summer and another dry fall.  Wet weather particularly in the spring is a driver for a foliar disease. … View Article

2023 Year in Review

December 13, 2023
Every year brings new challenges – personally and professionally – and it’s no different for our lawns and landscapes. This blog takes a look back at 2023 and discusses the biggest obstacles we dealt with here in Massachusetts. Weather Compared to the very dry weather we saw last year this year was quite the opposite…. View Article

4 Common Problems with Evergreens

October 26, 2023
Evergreen shrubs can turn brown for a variety of reasons, leaving homeowners wondering what went wrong. In this blog, we’ll explore four common problems of browning in evergreen shrubs. For clarity, evergreens include azalea, boxwood, holly, rhododendrons, arborvitae, cedar, and juniper to name a few. Seasonal Color Change It is natural for evergreen trees to… View Article

Ornamental Tree and Shrub Issues

September 27, 2023
Ornamental trees and shrubs can enhance the beauty and appeal of any landscape. They add year-round charm and aesthetic value to your outdoor space. However, as living beings, they are susceptible to a range of problems that can affect their health and appearance. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common issues that… View Article

Bagworms in Massachusetts

September 13, 2023
Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) is native to North America. It is distributed throughout the eastern United States. Once only an occasional pest in Massachusetts, is becoming a regular problem in the landscape. Historically, bagworms are only a continuous problem from Maryland and south. New populations may be brought in on nursery stock from more southern states… View Article

Tree Planting Guide

August 16, 2023
At Natural Tree and Lawn Care, we specialize in providing professional tree and lawn care services to homeowners and property managers. Our team of certified arborists is committed to helping you enhance the beauty and health of your landscape. If you’re planning to plant new trees, we’ve put together this tree-planting guide with essential tips… View Article
crab apple tree

Weather Related Tree and Shrub Diseases

April 18, 2023
Understanding how tree and shrub diseases occur will help you monitor your ornamental plants with a keen eye. Tree and shrub disease can be caused by either physical and environmental conditions (abiotic) or pathogens like fungi and bacteria (biotic). Trees and shrubs are not all affected by diseases in the same way and diseases can… 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

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