As arborists, we realize that trees die. Our clients, however, commonly expect their trees to live long, trouble-free lives. When they don’t, our clients can become rather perplexed and look to us for an explanation.

To provide that explanation, we need to understand that a tree functions as a system comprised of both internal and external inputs that are dependent on both internal and external processes. Sound complicated? It certainly is, but with a little rational thought, we can boil it down to some pretty basic principles. Knowledge of these principles will enable us to become better arborists by understanding the rigors trees face on a day to day basis.