Madison Stansberry, LA Arborist

The best landscapes are intentional—every tree and hedge serving a purpose. Maybe you want shade in your backyard, maybe you’re dreaming of a show stopping front yard, or maybe you just need a little privacy. Whatever your goals, here are planting ideas that bring both function and beauty. 🌿 Want More Privacy? Try a Living Hedge If you’re tired of staring at fences or need to block out the neighbors, hedges can give you the privacy you want while keeping things green and beautiful. Nellie R. Stevens Holly: Looking for quick results? This holly grows fast—up to 3 feet a [...]

Palm trees bring a touch of the tropics to New Orleans, but they’re not immune to serious diseases like lethal bronzing. This fast-spreading disease can be deadly, and early detection is key to protecting your landscape. If your palm is showing signs of decline, it’s time to act quickly. Subtle Signs That Signal Trouble While any general palm decline should raise concerns, these specific symptoms may indicate lethal bronzing: Stopped Growth Spike – The central spear (growth spike) stops elongating, freezing in place. Gap Between Fronds – A visible separation between older fronds and newer growth means the tree has stopped producing [...]

Planning an Outdoor Renovation? Don’t Overlook Your Trees. Whether you’re installing a pool, building an addition, or reshaping your landscape, there’s a lot to juggle—contractor meetings, design plans, permits. But in all that noise, don’t forget one of your property’s most valuable and vulnerable features: your trees. Before a single stake goes into the ground, there are key steps you need to take to make sure your trees survive—and thrive—through construction. 1. Understand This: Trees Don’t Bounce Back This is the most important thing to know: construction damage to trees is often permanent. Unlike other parts of your home or [...]

At Bayou Tree Service, tree care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our liquid program is part of a customized, science-backed approach to tree health—designed to keep your trees strong, resilient, and thriving through every season. With over 45 years of experience caring for Louisiana landscapes, we’ve developed a tree health care strategy that blends arboricultural science with the kind of insight that only comes from decades in the field. At the heart of this program is Matt Repp, our Tree Healthcare Manager, who brings both expertise and dedication to every plan we design. Matt works hand-in-hand with our certified arborists and clients to [...]

In this Louisiana heat, shade isn’t luxury—it’s essential. Thankfully, our trees are hard at work, keeping things cool and cozy. From energy savings to simple backyard comfort, here’s why these leafy giants deserve our gratitude. 🍃 Nature’s Built‑In A/C When those summer rays hit, trees aren’t just pretty—they’re powerhouses of cooling. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that shaded areas under trees can be 6°F cooler, and grounded areas up to 25°F cooler than sunlit surfaces. That translates to real comfort in your yard and less strain on your home’s air conditioning. And it’s not just shade: through transpirational cooling, [...]

When hurricane season ramps up, strong trees are your first line of defense — but even the strongest tree can become a hazard without proper care. That’s why strategic pruning is one of the most important things you can do ahead of storm season. 🌿 Why Prune Before a Storm? Pruning isn’t just about looks — it’s about safety. Removing weak, dead, or poorly attached limbs helps your trees stand strong during high winds and heavy rain. By lightening the canopy and encouraging better structure, pruning reduces the risk of breakage and keeps branches from becoming dangerous projectiles. 🪓 What [...]

Live oaks are iconic symbols of strength and beauty across the South. With their sprawling limbs and massive trunks, they seem untouchable—like they’ve been around forever and will take care of themselves. But even the grandest live oak needs expert attention. At Bayou Tree Service, we specialize in tree care that not only protects your investment but also preserves the legacy of these incredible trees.  Urban Stress: A Hidden Threat Live oaks have stood the test of time, but urban life presents new challenges. Construction, compacted soil, lawn irrigation, and nearby development can all disrupt a tree’s root system—limiting water [...]

Live oaks are more than just trees—they’re living landmarks. Their sweeping branches, deeply grooved bark, and evergreen presence are a defining feature of the Southern landscape. But as iconic as they are, planting beneath them requires careful thought. At Bayou Tree Service, tree preservation is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’ve partnered with Louisiana Nursery in Baton Rouge to help you build a beautiful, tree-friendly landscape under your live oaks.   Together, we’ve curated a plant list designed to thrive beneath these giants—plants that add beauty and color while coexisting symbiotically with the unique conditions under [...]

Your guide to spring tree care, fertilization, and pruning—especially for iconic live oaks. As temperatures rise and the days get longer, trees across Louisiana are shaking off winter and preparing for a season of vibrant growth. Whether you’re caring for majestic live oaks or ornamental trees, spring is a crucial time to give them a little extra attention. Here’s how to support healthy growth this season—and how Bayou Tree Service can make it easy. 1. Support Root-to-Canopy Health with Fertilization Spring is when trees need energy the most. Flowering trees are blooming, live oaks are pushing out new leaves, and [...]

What You Need to Know About Roundup’s New Formula and Its Potential Impact on Trees For years, glyphosate was the primary active ingredient in Roundup, making it one of the most widely used herbicides. However, Monsanto has reformulated many Roundup products, replacing glyphosate with a mix of other chemicals—one of which is triclopyr. If you use herbicides around trees, understanding this change is crucial. Triclopyr has different effects on trees than glyphosate, and its presence in Roundup can pose new risks to tree health. Why This Matters for Trees The Alligare Triclopyr 4 label warns: "Do not apply Alligare Triclopyr [...]