Guides and Fact sheets

The following is a list of informational resources to help you work on trees in your backyard or community. If you feel something is missing, please contact us.

For City-related questions, check out the City's Forestry Website.

Grand Rapids Approved Tree List - Approved tree species for GR public land.
Virginia Tech Tree Selector - A wonderful site to help you select the right tree for the right place.
Tree Owners Manual - This Forest Service guide contains tons of information on tree planting and care.

International Society of Arboriculture Guides:

Why Hire an Arborist - An Arborist can be important to ensuring quality tree care. Find out why.
Find an Arborist – Search for an ISA Certified Arborist in your area.

Tree Selection and Placement:
Tree Selection and Placement - This guide explains how to select the right tree to plant.
Buying High-Quality Trees - Discover guidelines for purchasing good quality trees.
Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts - Check to ensure your tree won't cause problems down the line.

Tree Planting and Early Care:
New Tree Planting - Learn to plant a tree correctly to maximize it's chance for survival.
Proper Mulching Techniques - If applied correctly, mulch can benefit a tree in many ways.
Pruning Young Trees - Early on, trees may need help developing structure and promoting growth.

General Tree Care:
Mature Tree Care - Learn how to care for and protect your large trees.
Pruning Mature Trees - Discover how to prune and when to seek professional assistance on older trees.
Insect and Disease Problems - Understand how to examine your trees for insect and disease problems.
Why Topping Hurts Trees - Topping is a destructive practice which can permanently damage trees.