Turning observations into information for over ten years

Proper pruning is essential to tree health, structural integrity, and longevity. Understanding the anatomical features of branch attachment and the biological mechanisms by which trees respond to injury allows practitioners to minimize damage and reduce the risk of decay. Central to this understanding is the concept of CODIT, or Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees, which describes how trees limit the spread of injury and decay rather than repairing damaged tissue.

Woody tree trunks exhibit a complex internal structure that reflects their functions in transport, support, storage, and long-term growth. Unlike herbaceous stems, tree trunks undergo secondary growth, resulting in an increase in diameter over time. This growth is produced by lateral meristems and gives rise to the characteristic tissues of wood and bark.

Accurate tree identification relies heavily on vegetative characteristics, particularly when reproductive structures such as flowers or fruits are absent. Bud arrangement, twig anatomy, leaf morphology, and growth form provide reliable diagnostic features that remain visible for much of the year. Understanding how these traits vary among angiosperms allows for systematic identification across seasons and habitats.

Successful tree transplanting depends on an understanding of plant adaptability, root biology, and soil–root interactions. While trees possess an inherent capacity to tolerate environmental variation, transplanting represents a significant physiological disturbance. Proper site preparation, planting technique, and early management are therefore critical to long-term establishment and structural stability.

Notes from ISA exam study session Soils function as chemically active systems largely because soil particles carry electrical charges. Clay minerals and organic matter possess a net negative charge, which allows them to attract and temporarily retain positively charged nutrient ions. This property underlies cation exchange capacity, the soil’s ability to hold and exchange nutrient cations such as calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), potassium (K⁺), ammonium (NH₄⁺), iron (Fe²⁺/Fe

An overview of soil science for aborists

This guide focuses on observable traits  for field identification. Each species is introduced by its common and Latin name, and its...