Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the podcast that explores the wonders of nature. We're thrilled to bring you today's episode, all about trees! As we dive into the world of trees, our guest, Brad Caudle, the Master Arborist and landscape manager for the town of Matthews, will be sharing his expert insights on tree planting and care. In this enlightening conversation, we tackle questions like, "Are there trees that are simply overused in landscaping?" and "What's the earliest and latest times for planting trees in the Charlotte area?" Brad reminds us of the importance of site evaluation - is it a sunny or shady spot? What are your goals for the tree you're planting? Join us as we uncover the secrets to nurturing thriving trees and creating a more vibrant natural world in your own backyard. Thank you for joining us on The Backyard Naturalists, a podcast cherished by nature enthusiasts in 107 countries, all 50 states, and especially across the beautiful Carolinas. We're honored to have been awarded Best of the Weeklies podcast, and we couldn't have done it without our incredible audience. So, grab your earbuds and get ready to embark on a tree-filled journey with Brad Caudle. It's time to embrace the green and leafy world of trees! If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you. Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram. Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte. Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast. Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com. While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market  this Saturday morning.