A landscape maintenance contractor has just finished work on a residential yard. The homeowner asks the contractor to take a look at one of her trees while he’s there. Several large branches are growing into an overhanging balcony and the owner wants the tree cut back a few feet.

THE SECRETS TO KEEPING A TREE healthy are proper feeding, adequate water, low stress, pest and disease treatments, when necessary, and occasional health checks, along with a good dose of sunshine.

In the 1930s, when William Arthur Roach was researching his pioneer study on “Plant Injection as a Physiological Method,” he reported that Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was, apparently, the first person who conducted systematic experiments with trees being injected with liquids.

Of all the living creatures in the care of a landscape contractor, trees can be the most unforgiving. Much like a child, how they are disciplined in their youth will determine how they grow up.

They’re a source of inspiration for all who gaze at their majesty. Poets have waxed philosophically, writers have pondered metaphorically -- artists study every bough, leaf and limb.

There is money in tree care. It isn’t your eyes playing tricks on you; those trees really can grow dollar bills. It’s common knowledge that trees can appreciate the value of a home by most clients are willing to pay to ensure that investment.

Weapon of choice There are all kinds of ?enemies? lurking about, ready to bring down a transplanted tree or stop another from growing.

Nature is quite proficient growing plants by herself. Unfortunately, man stepped in and introduced a variety of environmental assaults to hinder that.

A very ancient group of plants, cycads existed in the Permian era, more than 200 million years ago, even before the dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Shirl McMayon was enjoying her stay in Europe. As Director of Natural Resources (which includes all landscaping) for the Chicago Parks District, she was attending Nations in Bloom, an annual competition that honors cities throughout the world for excellence in developing liveable, sustainable communities.