Those metal bands, also known as baffles, strapped around trees are not holding the tree together, but they do have a purpose ...

DEAR JOAN: We have a lovely Japanese maple tree in our front yard. I noticed the other day a squirrel was tearing away the outer bark on the tree. When I went outside to further inspect, there are ...

DEAR JOAN: Your column on May 13 was on how to discourage rats. Now do squirrels. The furry little tree rats have decimated our apricot crop – the ground is littered with tiny, half-eaten fruits. They ...

Once inside, they go from being a backyard nuisance to a threat to your home's integrity. Have you ever tried to outsmart a persistent squirrel? Countless homeowners have bravely taken on this ...

If you have ever seen aluminum bands, hardware cloth or some other type of metal wrapping the trunk of a tree, you might have wondered about its purpose. It’s not to help the trunk grow straight, nor ...