Summary Set a tree back from a fence by at least half its mature canopy spread, which means roughly 8 to 12 feet for small ornamentals and 25 feet or more for large shade trees. On the narrow lots common across New Orleans, that math usually rules out large species along a side fence. Louisiana… Continue reading How Close to a Fence Can You Plant a Tree in New Orleans, LA?

Summary Replanting increases biodiversity only when the trees planted are species local wildlife can actually use. Around New Orleans, native oaks and cypress support far more insect and bird life than ornamental imports, and the region’s biggest biodiversity problem is Chinese tallow, an established invasive that crowds out native growth. Big Easy Tree Removal helps… Continue reading How Reforestation Restores Biodiversity Around New Orleans, LA

Summary A tree’s root system is typically far wider than its canopy and much shallower than people expect, often spreading two to three times the branch width while staying largely within the top few feet of soil. In New Orleans, a high water table and dense clay push roots shallower and wider still, which is… Continue reading How Big Are Tree Roots Compared to the Tree? A New Orleans, LA Guide

Summary Dig the planting hole two to three times as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root ball itself. In New Orleans, digging deep is actively harmful, because a deep hole in dense clay holds water like a basin and drowns the roots. The tree should sit on undisturbed soil with… Continue reading How Big a Hole Should You Dig to Plant a Tree in New Orleans, LA?

Summary Trees support wildlife by providing food, nesting sites, cover, and travel corridors. In New Orleans this matters more than in most cities because the region sits on the Mississippi Flyway, a major migratory bird route, and mature live oaks provide the structure that migrating and resident species depend on. Big Easy Tree Removal helps… Continue reading How Trees Help Wildlife in New Orleans, LA Yards

The best apple trees to plant in New Orleans, Louisiana, are low-chill varieties such as Anna (200 to 300 chill hours), Dorsett Golden (under 100 chill hours), and Ein Shemer (about 400 chill hours). New Orleans sits in USDA Zone 9a, where winters average only 200 to 400 chill hours, making traditional varieties like Honeycrisp… Continue reading Planting the Best Apple Trees: A Guide to Choosing the Right Variety in New Orleans

Summary Free trees are genuinely available in the New Orleans area through local nonprofit giveaways, most notably NOLA Tree Project, which distributes trees to residents across Orleans and surrounding parishes. Getting the tree is the easy part. Whether it survives depends on choosing a species suited to heavy clay soil and a high water table,… Continue reading How to Plant a Tree for Free in New Orleans, LA

A natural tree killer is any non-chemical substance or technique, such as Epsom salt, vinegar, girdling, or mulch smothering, used to kill an unwanted tree without synthetic herbicides. In New Orleans, where mature live oaks, historic lots, and strict city permit rules shape every removal decision, Big Easy Tree Removal helps homeowners choose the safest… Continue reading What is a Natural Tree Killer? Discover the Best Ways to Kill Trees Safely and Effectively

Summary In New Orleans, trees do measurable work rather than abstract good. A mature canopy intercepts rainfall before it reaches the street, which reduces the volume the city’s pumped drainage system has to move. It also shades homes through long subtropical summers, cools paved areas, and holds soil in place. Big Easy Tree Removal helps… Continue reading How Planting Trees Helps the Environment and Neighborhoods in New Orleans, LA

Summary Whether you need a permit to plant a tree in New Orleans depends on where the tree is going. Planting in the public right-of-way or on a neutral ground falls under the New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways and generally requires approval. Planting on your own property usually does not require a city… Continue reading Do You Need a Permit to Plant a Tree in New Orleans, LA?