From the field

Tree care advice
that actually helps.

Written by Tyler Griffith, ISA-certified arborist in Kent, Ohio. No generic tips — just what he sees on real properties every week.

Why Your Maple's Leaves Are Turning Black in July (And What It Actually Means)

Every summer I get a surge of calls from homeowners in Portage and Summit County convinced their maple is dying — and almost every time, those dramatic black spots are tar spot fungus, not a death sentence. Here's how to tell the difference between something cosmetic and something that actually warrants concern.

6 min read·June 10, 2026Read article

More from the blog

Tree Health

The Silver Maple Problem: Why Northeast Ohio's Most Common Tree Is Also Its Most Dangerous

There's a tree growing in roughly half the front yards in Kent, and a lot of them are quietly running out of time. The silver maple was the suburban tree of choice for thirty years, and most homeowners have no idea what's actually over their roof.

9 min read·March 10, 2026

Tree Health

Emerald Ash Borer Has Already Won in Portage and Summit County. Here's What to Do Now.

Most of the ash trees you grew up with are gone. Most of the ones still standing are dead and they just haven't fallen yet. This is not a warning about something coming — it's a status report on what already happened.

8 min read·April 7, 2026

Arborist Tips

What Tree Removal Actually Costs in Kent and Northeast Ohio (And Why Quotes Vary So Much)

You got three quotes for the same tree and they came back at $400, $1,100, and $2,300. That's not a coincidence and it's not a negotiation. You're being offered three completely different products, and one of them might end with you getting sued.

10 min read·May 5, 2026

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Tree care advice that actually helps.