When America celebrated its centennial in 1876, the mighty oak tree was just a sapling. It steadily grew, stretching 80 feet into the sky in a space that evolved into a residential Bergen County backyard. But last August, the beloved landmark was suddenly razed by a contractor removing trees on neighboring school property. Pascuzzo — the Hackensack homeowner whose backyard formerly held the massive, 150-year-old tree — is now suing the city, school board, county, state and other governmental agencies for allegedly cutting down the tree without notice or her permission. “This case is about far more than the loss of a tree,” said her attorney, Christopher T. Karounos. “It is about respecting private property and holding public entities accountable when they fail to do so.” The lawsuit alleges trespassing, destruction of real property interests, negligence, reckless disregard and other claims. Pascuzzo is seeking “all legally recoverable damages,” including diminution in property value, restoration damages, replacement-value damages, loss of shade, loss of privacy, loss of environmental benefits and aesthetic value. The lawsuit, filed June 11, also names the South Plainfield-based Rich Tree Service, Inc. as a defendant…
Arlington, Texas, City of Arlington, July 22, 2026: Confirmed Case of Oak Wilt Found in Arlington
One post oak tree, among other suspected trees, at a property in west Arlington (76017) has tested positive for oak wilt in the Texas A&M Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab. Oak wilt is a serious disease caused by a fungus that blocks the movement of water in oak trees. The oak wilt disease can spread from tree to tree by moving firewood, through underground roots, and by sap-feeding beetles on open tree wounds. The trees most commonly affected by oak wilt include the red oak tree group, which is the most severely affected, as well as live oak. The white oak tree group, including burr, chinkapin, and post oaks, is less commonly affected but still susceptible to infection. Several signs can indicate oak wilt, including the sudden decline of a tree, yellowing of leaf veins, increased defoliation, sporadic canopy limb death, and premature fall color in red oaks. Trees decline for many different reasons, and oak wilt is rare in the Arlington area. A lab test is needed to accurately diagnose oak wilt…
Sudbury, Ontario, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, July 23, 2026: New research finds a particular tree species can act as a wildfire barrier
As Ontario continues to experience its worst fire season on record, new research from McGill University reaffirms that aspen trees can act as a fire barrier. Flavie Pelletier, a PhD graduate and the study’s lead author, said aspen have always anecdotally been considered a species that is especially resilient to fire. “But the paradox is that aspen can burn very quickly by itself because it has thin bark,” she said. By analyzing satellite imagery of Canada’s boreal forest before and after wildfires, Pelletier and her colleagues found that large patches of aspen can slow down wildfires. The before-and-after images showed that larger patches of aspen were more prevalent at the perimeters of burned out areas. Pelletier said there are a couple theories as to why patches of aspen can act as a fire barrier. “Aspen have much more moisture, like higher moisture content in the trees and in the leaves compared to coniferous trees,” she said…
Southern Living July 22, 2026: Can You Trim A Neighbor’s Tree Hanging Into Your Yard? Here’s What To Know
We often plant trees and shrubs near property lines for screening. Other times, it’s the only way to keep them at a safe distance from the house. Unfortunately, those trees don’t consider property lines when they grow. Most of us have at least one branch from a neighbor’s property extending over our fence. If that branch starts to look overgrown, impede a driveway, or shade a favorite flower garden, you might find yourself wishing it wasn’t there. So can you trim a tree that’s hanging over your fence if it isn’t yours? In most cases, you can prune a neighbor’s tree that crosses onto your property line. But there are a few things to know before you pull out the pruning saw. In the U.S., you can generally cut the branches of a neighbor’s tree when they hang over your side of the fence. In fact, whatever overhangs your property is considered your responsibility. But there are a few caveats here…
London, UK, BBC, July 22, 2026: Tree which survived WW2 plane crash up for award
Ten of the UK’s “toughest” trees, from an oak that survived a plane crash to a yew hit by a cannonball, have been shortlisted for this year’s Tree of the Year award. The Woodland Trust said its annual competition aimed to celebrate and raise awareness for rare, ancient or at-risk trees across the country. An oak tree in Rutland that was hit by a World War Two bomber and a yew in East Sussex that could be 4,000 years old – and was struck by a cannonball in the English Civil War – are among the final 10 contenders for the title. Actor and nature podcaster David Oakes, a Woodland Trust ambassador, said the nominees had “defied the odds in extraordinary ways”. Of the 10 shortlisted, a panel of experts selected eight trees of differing ages and species, while the public chose two as wildcard entries…
A Portland family went to trial this week over their claim that city forestry officials wrongly denied a permit to remove a tree that later crushed their home during a storm. Joel and Sarah Bond and their two children are seeking $4.8 million in damages from the city of Portland, alleging that the city’s Urban Forestry Department negligently denied their 2022 permit application to remove a 150-foot-tall Douglas Fir after failing to properly inspect it. The tree toppled onto the family’s Southwest Portland home during the January 2024 ice storm, tearing through the first and second floors. Everyone inside the house survived, but the house was severely damaged, the lawsuit states…
The roots extending from Oakland’s namesake oak tree genus run deeper throughout the Bay Area city than its topsoil. Depictions of the ancient trees adorn road signs, billboards and its official flag, enduring symbols that have united the city’s vibrant tapestry of peoples and cultures since its founding 174 years ago. Like other oak varieties endemic to California, the coastal live oak (Quercus agrifolia) supports immense biodiversity, a “keystone” species relied upon by mammals, birds, insects, humans and the Earth itself, said Gabriela Garcia, an assistant professor at Northeastern University’s Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences (MES) whose research focuses on agroecosystems…
Most urban foresters and arborists are aware of the historical significance of Dutch elm disease(DED). Introduced to the United States in the 1930s, this deadly fungus wreaked havoc on urban and rural forests throughout the United States. In many ways, DED was the impetus for many of the best practices of urban forestry we see today, such as species diversification and modern plant health care practices. Likewise, most urban forest practitioners understand DED is still very much prevalent today, and if they are managing any lingering American elms, they know they can help decrease their susceptibility to the disease by not actively pruning or wounding them during the growing season. Pruning these elms during the growing season attracts bark beetles, which can carry thousands of DED fungal spores on their bodies. But elm is a complex genus; there are over 30 different species of elm and hundreds (if not thousands) of hybrids and cultivars in the landscape. So, which of these species and cultivars can you prune during the growing season, and which shall you not? here are three native elms to Wisconsin. The aforementioned American elm, the slippery elm and the ultra-rare rock elm. Of these three, the American elm is the most common elm found in urban environments, although their presence is relatively rare these days…
A Rio Grande cottonwood tree that has long stood as a landmark along the Dune Life Nature Trail at White Sands National Park has fallen. Park officials announced the loss in a social media post, attributing the tree’s collapse to recent monsoon storms. Historical records indicate the tree was already mature and well-established in a photograph taken in 1959, suggesting it was likely at least a decade older than the image. Over the years, shifting sands gradually exposed more of the tree’s extensive root system. A 2012 photograph documented the roots emerging above the surface, where they had developed thick bark as a protective adaptation. Since then, continued movement of sand across the dunes exposed even more of the roots. Although the tree has fallen, park officials note that it will continue to play an important ecological role. The downed trunk and root system can provide habitat for a variety of wildlife that inhabits the desert ecosystem…
Honey locust trees across the area are turning brown and crispy this summer, and Nebraska Extension is fielding a high volume of calls about it. The culprit is the mimosa webworm. Jody Green, an extension entomologist with Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, said the insect has prompted widespread concern among residents. “We’ve had a lot of different people call over the weekend noticing this about their honey locust trees,” Green said. The mimosa webworm is a caterpillar that feeds on leaves and uses silk to mat them together, defoliating the tree. Green said drought and high heat are compounding the damage this season. “The caterpillar feeds on the leaves and it uses silk to mat them together and defoliates the tree. Then, due to the leaves dying, they get all crispy and brown. Then that’s even increased by drought and the high heat,” Green said. Green said the problem is an annual one, though it is more noticeable this year. For trees already showing damage, she said it is too late to treat this season. For next year, Green recommends applying a BT product before visible damage appears…
With an aim to increase the country’s green cover in line with the current government’s election manifesto, Bangladesh is preparing for a nationwide plantation of 250 million trees across the country in the next five years. “Currently, we are coordinating with various government agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture; the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives; the Road Transport and Highways Division; the Ministry of Education; and the Bangladesh Army to finalize the number of saplings that will be planted by each of them,” said Shaikh Faridul Islam, state minister of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).“The plantation program is a coordinated approach,” he said. “Since the plantation does not require huge amount of funds, we will not spend extra money for the initiative, rather will allocate fund from the regular budget. Here, all government agencies will plant a set number of trees within their own annual budgets…”
Strong winds can turn trees into hazards for roofs and power lines, but a local tree expert says routine maintenance can reduce that risk before the next round of severe weather. A tree caught in strong winds can lose branches or fall onto power lines or homes, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Kolby Burdine of Kentucky Tree Services said many homeowners are unaware that preventative maintenance can help. “A lot of people don’t know to do preventative maintenance on them and what it does when you do that is it allows the wind to blow through the trees and keeps them from being so dense and doesn’t catch so much wind,” Burdine said. Burdine said the density of a tree’s branches and leaves is one of the most preventable factors in wind damage. When branches are too dense, the tree acts as a wall against wind rather than allowing air to flow through…
Tree and Neighbor Law For Homeowners and Professionals 