Welcome to our tree column, "Ask your local arborist." Each month, arborists from the Davey Tree Expert Company in Menlo Park will discuss a tree-related topic from general care to planting tips and tricks to how trees can impact your property and community, as well as answer your questions. If you have a tree-related question or an idea for a topic to discuss, email lifestyle@embarcaderopublishing.com or post in the comments section at the end of this column. Arborists may make house calls, when needed, to assess tree questions on your property.

The new year is here. How about making some promises and commitments to your trees and landscape?

What many people don’t realize is that our trees, in some ways, have feelings and emotions. They know when they are being neglected or need a good pruning or some extra TLC. Paying a bit more attention to them can make a world of a difference for your landscape.

Here are five resolutions you can make to keep your yard healthy and looking good:

• Keep notes

Make physical notes of the current condition of your trees and vow to keep the notes updated. Walk to property with a pen and paper or your phone and examine every tree -- give the tree a nickname or a number that makes sense to you and write down if anything seems off or wrong it, including the color of its leaves, how sturdy is it or whether the bark is attached or falling off. This creates a great starting place for you and your arborist to keep track of how your trees are progressing throughout the year.

• Make quarterly tree checks

Set a reminder in your phone for the beginning of season to go back out and do a full examination of your trees. Doing this can help eliminate tree diseases, pest takeovers, and worse, tree death.

• If you see something, say something

Are branches falling with a slight gust of wind? Are there branches hanging over your home or vehicles? Are the leaves on one tree a completely different color than the rest, or is the tree bare when it shouldn’t be? Is the bark falling off easily? If so, take action. Call your local arborist and have them assess the situation.

• Pledge to use proper tools that are taken care of

When caring for yourself, you use the products that you prefer and the ones that get the job done –- do the same for your trees. If you are pruning, be sure that the pruners are properly sharpened and cleaned. If you are treating something on the property, ensure that you are using products that are safe and approved by your arborist.

• Hire an expert when needed

Dedicate this year to giving your trees the best care with the help of experts. Let them do the heavy lifting, high pruning, pest and disease care and deep watering.

Thanks for reading our tree column, “Ask your local arborist.” Each month, arborists from The Davey Tree Expert Company in Menlo Park will discuss a tree-related topic, specific to the Palo Alto area. If you have a tree-related question or an idea of a topic to discuss, email them here. If you are interested in having an arborist come to your property to assess the trees in your landscape before listing your home, call 866-923-5658 or visit www.Davey.com/menlopark.

George Reno is a local arborist at The Davey Tree Expert Company in Menlo Park, which serves communities on the Peninsula, including Menlo Park, Atherton, Palo Alto and Redwood City. Newborn can be reached at 866-923-5658.