Talking Trees with Davey Tree
Your trees and landscapes require year-round care, and The Davey Tree Expert Company is here to help provide you with expert advice. Join our professional Davey arborists and gardening-expert host Doug Oster to learn all about caring for your properties. We'll talk about introduced pests, seasonal tree care, tree diseases, arborists' favorite trees, how to help your trees thrive and everything in between. Tune in every Thursday because here at the Talking Trees Podcast, we know trees are the answer.
Tree Planting Season is Almost Here: What You Need to Know
Erik Benneter from Davey Canada's Toronto West office joins us to talk about tree planting season, including which trees to plant, soil and digging tips, top planting mistakes and more.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about tree planting, please read our blogs Tree Planting Guide: 3 Methods of Planting Trees, For The Benefit Of Planting Trees, How to Fix a Tree Planted Too Deep and Why Native Trees and Plants are Important.
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Beech Leaf Disease: The Spread Across New England
Dan Hager from Hartney Greymont, a Davey company, in Concord, Massachusetts, joins us to discuss the devastating effects of beech leaf disease, its rapid spread across New England, treatment strategies and efforts to control the nematode that causes it.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about beech leaf disease, please read our blogs Beech Leaf Disease: Identification, Symptoms & Treatment, Beech Leaf Disease & The Impact On The Ecosystem and Tree Identification: Do I Have A Beech Tree.
Tree Check Month: How to Spot Warning Signs This August
Rachel Broskey from Davey's Knoxville office joins us to discuss Tree Check Month, including how to inspect your trees, what warning signs to look for and why routine tree care is essential for keeping your landscape healthy and safe.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about checking your trees for pests or diseases, please read our blogs Disease & Insect Issues, Plant Health Care and Soil Care & Mulching.
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Invasive Trees and Shrubs: Which Species Make the List?
Pat Etherington from Davey's Lake Bluff office talks with host Doug Oster about several invasive trees, including why they're problematic, what trees to choose instead and how he chose a career in arboriculture.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about invasives and smart planting, please read our blogs Trees with Non-Invasive Root Systems, The Best and Worst Trees to Plant Near a House (By Zone) and Tree Roots: Trees with Invasive & Non-Invasive Roots.
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River Birch: The Beautiful East Coast Tree
Lou Meyer, arborist from Davey's Mid-Atlantic region, continues our species series with the beautiful river birch tree. In this episode, Lou and host Doug Oster talk about the river birch's characteristics, ecological value, cultural and medicinal uses and more.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about different tree species, please read our blogs Tree Selection Guide, Tree Identification, Tree Planting & Transplanting and Trimming and Pruning.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Biochar: The Secret to Better Soil and Plant Health
Nate Conn from Davey's North Central Wood Products office and Brian Borkowicz, senior advisor for the Davey Institute, answer questions about biochar, including how it’s made, the benefits it provides for soil and plants, how to choose the right product and why consumers should consider giving it a try.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about biochar and its benefits, you can:
Visit the Davey SoilCare® webpage Watch our YouTube video, How to Improve Soil Health...Feeling the Heat: How to Protect Trees from Heat Stress
Jay Judd from Davey's East Denver office joins us to talk about how heat stress impacts trees, the warning signs homeowners should watch for and practical steps to help stressed trees recover.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about heat stress, please read our blogs How to Help Trees During Unexpected Heat Wave, How to Keep Your Landscape Resilient During Seasonal Summer Drought, Tree Heat Stress Is Real: How to Protect Roots During Summer Heatwaves, Signs and...
How Tree Shade Data is Collected & Why it's Important
Jason Henning and Jay Heppler from Davey Resource Group join us to talk all about tree shade in urban environments, including how foresters collect data on shade and how it helps communities make informed decisions about tree planting and care.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about i-Tree, visit www.itreetools.org.
To learn more about MyTree, visit www.mytree.itreetools.org.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @D...
What's Eating My Oak Tree? A Guide to Common Oak Issues
Alec Hall from Davey's St. Louis West office joins us to talk about oak trees, including common diseases like oak wilt and sudden oak death, identifying resilient species, choosing the best oaks to plant and more.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about helping pollinators, please read our blogs Creating a Pollinator Garden (Pollinator Plant List), Tree Pests vs Beneficial Insects, Do Bees Like Trees? Trees for Bees Guide and Ultimate Guide for Best Flowering Shrubs.
Helping Pollinators Thrive: Native Species, Plant Picks and More
Adam Baker, research entomologist at the Davey Institute, tells us how we can support pollinators, including planting native species, choosing pollinator-friendly plants and why it all matters.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about helping pollinators, please read our blogs Creating a Pollinator Garden (Pollinator Plant List), Tree Pests vs Beneficial Insects, Do Bees Like Trees? Trees for Bees Guide and Ultimate Guide for Best Flowering Shrubs.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
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The Dirt on Drought Stress: Signs and Solutions You Need to Know
Izzy Christmann from Lewis Tree Service, a Davey Company, breaks down drought stress, including how to spot the signs, choose drought-tolerant species, follow best watering practices and more.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about drought stress, please read our blogs How to Keep Your Landscape Resilient During Seasonal Summer Drought, The Dirt on Drought Stress and Its Effect on Your Trees, How to Pick the Right Trees for Drought-Prone Landscapes and Signs and Symptoms of Tree S...
What's Wrong with My Boxwood? - Blights, Box Tree Moth and More
Nick Dios from Davey's West Cleveland office talks all about boxwoods, including different types, choosing and planting the right one and its biggest threats, such as blights, leaf miners, winter and the box tree moth.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about boxwoods, please read our blogs Are Box Tree Moths Dangerous? Check Your Boxwoods for Emerging Pest: Box Tree Moth and Seasonal Boxwood Shrub Care.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @D...
Kentucky Coffee Tree: Why Arborists Love This Tree
Lou Meyer from Davey's mid-Atlantic region joins us to talk about the Kentucky coffee tree, including its features, habits, traits and why homeowners should consider planting one.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about different tree species, please read our blogs Tree Selection Guide, Tree Identification, Tree Planting & Transplanting and Trimming and Pruning.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Co...
Setting Your Lawn Up for Success PART TWO
In part one of this two-part episode, Zane Raudenbush, manager of research operations at the Davey Institute, shares helpful tips for caring for your lawn this spring and summer, including watering, identifying grass species, seeding and more.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about taking care of your lawn this season, read our blogs Seasonal Guide to Lawn Care, How to Keep Grass Green in Hot Summer Weather, Best Time to Overseed Lawn (Midwest, Northeast, South, West), How...
Setting Your Lawn Up for Success PART ONE
In part one of this two-part episode, Zane Raudenbush, manager of research operations at the Davey Institute, shares his tips on how you can mow, fertilize and treat your lawn for success this spring.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
Listen to our Talking Trees with Davey Tree podcast episode about biochar and how it benefits landscapes, Why Biochar is Important & How it Can Be Used in the Landscape.
To learn helpful tips to keep your lawn happy...
Celebrating Arbor Day: Identifying, Choosing and Protecting Trees
Scott Gardner from the Davey Tree Expert Co. of Canada, Limited's Burnaby office celebrates Arbor Day with us! In this episode, Scott and Doug talk about identifying and planting the right tree, why tree care matters year‑round and the emerald ash borer's serious threat to trees.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about identifying and taking care of trees, please read our blogs Tree Planting & Transplanting, Tree Identification, Insect & Disease Issues and Tree Selection Guide.
Co...
How Allergy Season is Impacted by Drought, Pollen and Tree Selection
Matt Betz from Davey’s Charlotte office breaks down allergy season in North Carolina, explaining how drought conditions, tree pollen and planting choices can influence allergy symptoms.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about trees during springtime and allergy season, please read our blogs Smart Planting for the Best & Worst Trees for Allergies and Most Common Questions about Tree Care in Spring.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
...
Storm Season Prep: What Every Homeowner Should Know
Madison Law from Davey’s South Houston office joins us to talk about storm season preparation, including what to look out for, taking care of your trees before storm season hits and why working with a certified arborist makes all the difference.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about storm season and how it can affect your trees, please read our blogs How to Reduce Wind and Storm Damage on Trees, What to Do if a Storm Da...
The Secret Life of Mycorrhizal Fungi!
Chelsi Abbot, plant pathologist and technical advisor at the Davey Institute, joins us this week to talk about mycorrhizal fungi, including their relationship with trees, the different types and how Chelsi became passionate about fungal species.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about mycorrhizal fungi and other fungal species, read our blogs How Mycorrhizal Fungi Support Tree Health and List of Plant and Tree Diseases Caused by Fungi.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Fragrant Trees: The Good and the Not-So-Good
Kyle Mack, district manager of Davey's Arborguard, a Davey company, Atlanta office, talks about different trees with strong smells, both good and bad, and breaks down what makes each one stand out.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about trees and discover which one is right for you, visit Tree Care Tips, News & Checklists | Davey Tree Service Blog
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
Y...
The Buzz No One Wants: How Arborists Handle Stinging Insects
Tyson Geldseth from Davey's Tacoma office joins us to talk about stinging insects, such as bees, hornets and wasps, and how arborists prepare for or avoid them while working high in canopies.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about pests and how they affect trees, read our Insect & Disease Issues blog.
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
YouTube: The Davey Tree Expert Company
Li...
Food from Trees! - Pies, Syrups, Liqueur and More
Lou Meyer, arborist and business developer from Davey's Mid-Atlantic region, talks about unique foods to eat from trees, including maple cream pie, different kinds of syrups, Korean treats, Italian liqueur and more.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about interesting tree facts, tree care tips and more, please visit Tree Care Tips, News & Checklists | Davey Tree Service Blog
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
Instagram: @daveytree
Y...
Celebrating Women in the Green Industry
Happy International Women's Day! Emily Mumford from Davey's South St. Paul office joins us to share her experience as a woman in arboriculture, including breaking stigmas in a male-dominated field, supporting other women in the industry and highlighting Davey's commitment to diversity and equity.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn about Davey's commitment to corporate responsibility, please visit Corporate Responsibility | Davey Tree
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree
I...
Choosing and Pruning Trees to Support Wildlife
Michael Sundberg from Davey’s West Denver office talks about the benefits of choosing and pruning trees to support wildlife. He covers which tree species offer the most value, the ideal times to plant, why tree diversity is important and the types of wildlife you could see on your property.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about choosing, planting and pruning trees to support wildlife, read our blogs How to Protect & Repair Trees from Animals: Deer, Rabbits, Sq...
Certified Arborist Answers Listener Questions!
Lou Meyer, arborist and business developer from Davey's Mid-Atlantic region, answers listener questions! Keep listening to hear Lou talk about burls, pruning, planting trees, removing invasives and more. To submit a question for a future episode, email us at podcasts@davey.com.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about pruning, planting, tree identification, invasives and more, read our tree care tips blog - Tree Care Tips, News & Checklists
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:<...
The Anatomy of Trees: Growth Rings, Inner Layers, Roots and More
Chrissy Balk, plant pathologist and technical advisor at the Davey Institute, talks about the intricate and fascinating anatomy of trees, including the function of each internal trunk layer, how root systems work, how water moves within a tree and the structure and role of the canopy.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about the Davey Institute, visit The Davey Institute | Davey Tree
Connect with Davey Tree on social media:
Twitter: @DaveyTree
Facebook: @DaveyTree<...
A Closer Look at Davey's Annual Training Program D.I.T.S.
Hear from three students attending the Davey Institute of Trees Sciences (D.I.T.S.) program, Davey’s flagship training program in biological sciences, safety, tree and plant care and management techniques. Ethan Ramirez Gothard from Davey's Nanaimo office, Sam Phetteplace from Davey's Albany office and Maggie Graves from Davey's Boston North Shore office share their experience in the four-week program, including key takeaways, being away from home for 30 days and bonding with other employees and tree care professionals from all over North America.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local of...
Trees We Love! - An Arborist's Favorites for Valentine's Day
Frank Thompson from Davey’s Buffalo office shares his “love at first sight” — trees! For Valentine’s Day, Frank walks us through three of his favorite species, his background in environmental science and forestry and how to determine the age of mature trees.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about how to identify or take care of trees you love, read our blogs Fall in Love with Healthy Trees This Season, Guide on How to Choose A Tree to Pla...
Dormant Season & Early Spring Tips: What Will the Groundhog Decide?
Mike Cassidy from Davey’s West Columbus office shares advice for whatever Groundhog Day brings! Will there be six more weeks of winter or an early spring? In this episode, Cassidy covers last‑minute dormant season care, such as dormant pruning, as well as early spring tasks like reviewing your landscape.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about tree care and landscaping in late winter and early spring, read our blogs Does a Late Spring Frost or Snow...
Trends in Gardening: Live at the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show!
Lou Meyer, arborist and business developer in Davey's Mid-Atlantic region, meets with host Doug Oster at the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show! Here, they discuss the latest trends in gardening, including recent planting choices, gardening designs, outdoor living and more.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about gardening practices and techniques, read our blogs DIY Flower Bed: Tips for the Perfect Flower Bed, Landscape Design Idea for Privacy | Davey Blog and What Plant Hardiness Zone Am I In.
Five Tree Care Mistakes Homeowners Make: Five Years of Talking Trees!
Eric Countryman, district manager of Davey’s East Pittsburgh office and the first-ever guest on the podcast, joins host Doug Oster to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Talking Trees with Davey Tree! In this episode, they discuss five common tree and landscaping mistakes homeowners make in the first five years, along with tips on mulching, planting best practices and a special giveaway for listeners!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS: This giveaway is now closed.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
T...
Facing Frost Cracking: How to Protect Trees During Winter
Paul Vega from Davey's Elmsford office talks about how trees adapt to winter and how homeowners can take care of them during the colder months, including frost cracking, tree dormancy, safe winter work practices and preparing for spring.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about trees during wintertime, read our blogs, Winter Sunscald and Frost Cracks on Trees, Winter Tree Protection: Three Proactive Tips and Can a Tree Freeze to Death in Winter?.
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Hiring an Arborist in 2026: Why It Matters & What They Do
Jason Parker, district manager of Davey's Warminster office, walks us through what it's like to work with a Davey arborist, including the client relationship, consultations, proposals, price and safety for homeowners.
To find your local Davey office, check out our find a local office page to search by zip code.
To learn more about what an arborist visit is like, read our blogs, Why You Should Hire a Certified Arborist, What To Expect When You Request a Davey Tree Free Consultation and The Risk of Using an Uninsured and Unlicensed Arborist.
C...
Winter Tree Care: Snow and Ice Protection, Pruning and More
Luke Brunner, arborist and business developer in Detroit, talks about what it takes to care for trees during the wintertime, including snow and ice protection, pruning, mulching and general planting tips.
In this episode we cover:
Should I leave the snow and ice on my tree? (0:58)Should I treat young trees and mature trees differently in winter? (2:26)Growing trees meant for different climates (3:06)Oak and elm damage and pruning (7:02)Maple and pine damage and pruning (11:00)Do arborists work in severely cold weather? (12:36)What Luke does as a business developer at Davey (13:45)Volcano mulching (14:57)Mulching tr...Tour the Completed SEED Campus with Dr. Dan Herms
Dr. Dan Herms, vice president and general manager of the Davey Institute, takes us through Davey's newly completed SEED Campus. Since its opening in August 2025, several programs, trainings and initiatives have started taking place there, which is strengthening safety, training and research in the green industry. You can watch this podcast in video form to see the completed property come to life. Watch the YouTube video, Tour the Completed SEED Campus with Dr. Dan Herms.
In this episode we cover:
What does SEED stand for? (0:46)Climbing center (1:12)Sustainability (1:36)SITES certification and the stormwater retention p...How We Became Arborists: Career Stories from Davey Experts
Throughout the Talking Trees podcast, we’ve asked Davey employees questions like "How did you become an arborist?" and "Why is this job right for you?" In this special episode, we’ve compiled eight arborists' inspiring answers that share the journeys that brought our team to where they are today.
In this episode we cover the stories of:
Brad McBride, district manager of Davey's West Cleveland office (0:46)Chelsi Abbott, plant pathologist with the Davey Institute (2:04)Aaron Hoot, district manager of Davey's Dallas office (3:47)Jason Parker, district manager of Davey's Warminster office (6:49)Kevin Sproule, assistant distri...Five Winter Tree Care Myths
Jacob Ryg, district manager of Davey's South St. Paul office, debunks common winter tree care myths and shares practical tips to keep your landscape healthy throughout the season.
In this episode we cover:
Does a tree need water in the winter? (0:45)How much watering does your tree need? (1:58)Minnesota's season so far (2:30)Should all pruning wait until spring? (2:52)Snow and ice damage trees (4:38)How to manage wet snow on trees (5:22)Prune before winter sets in (6:33)Can tree care wait until spring? (7:34)Tree wraps (9:20)Should you let trees heal themselves? (11:05)Don't rake up all your le...Can I Prune My Own Tree? Why or Why Not?
Matt Scott from Davey's Raleigh office talks all about tree pruning, including best practices, safety, ideal times to prune and why a certified arborist is best for the job.
In this episode we cover:
What can homeowners prune themselves? (0:46)Assess if your tree needs pruning or not (1:42)Safety while pruning (2:57)Teaching clients to prune from the ground (4:00)When is the right time to prune a tree? (5:45)When to prune an oak or elm tree (7:28)The worst things homeowners can do to trees (8:22)Have a certified arborist prune your trees (9:24) (20:45)The importance of the right to...Sweet Gum: The Beautiful Yet Controversial Tree
Lou Meyer from Davey's Mid-Atlantic region talks all about the sweet gum tree, including its biology, unique features and pros and cons.
In this episode we cover:
Sweet gum's spiky seeds (1:35)Why are they called "sweet gum?" (4:12)How large do they get? (6:00)Sweet gums aren't planted much (7:03)What to do about your sweet gum's surface roots (9:07)Where do they grow? (10:52)Are the black gum and sweet gum related? (11:39)Sweet gum identifying features (12:42)Crafts with sweet gum seeds (14:54)Fruit regulators (16:00)Do sweet gums belong in the forest? (18:15)To find your local Davey office, check ou...
Trees and Nature in Scary Movies!
Michael Cassidy, sales arborist at Davey's West Columbus office, shares his list of scary movies featuring spooky trees, eerie forests and creepy plants just in time for Halloween.
In this episode we cover:
Doug's favorite horror movie (1:22)Doug and Michael's Halloween traditions (2:40)Scary movies with scary trees and plants Pumpkinhead (4:34)The Wicker Man (5:01)Ernest Scares Stupid (6:02)Blair Witch Project (7:26)Invasion of the Body Snatchers (8:13)The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (11:39)Color Out of Space (12:06)Moonstruck (12:38)Midsommar (13:14)Jumanji (14:02)Predator (15:01)Alien (15:44)Wrong Turn (16:41)The Watchers (17:02)The Evil Dead series (17:35)Gaia (19:57)The Wizard of Oz (20:27)To find your loc...
