As more property owners recognize the value that healthy trees bring to their landscapes, there is a growing emphasis on a comprehensive approach to tree care. Often referred to as tree wellness, this approach focuses on the long-term health, safety, and vitality of trees, helping them thrive while enhancing the beauty and value of residential and commercial properties.
Tree wellness is based on the understanding that every tree is a living asset that requires ongoing attention to remain strong and resilient. From young saplings to mature shade trees, proper care helps prevent issues before they become serious concerns. Healthy trees not only improve curb appeal but also provide environmental benefits, increase property value, and create more enjoyable outdoor spaces.
Just as routine maintenance helps protect a home, trees benefit from regular inspections and professional care. Tree service specialists are trained to identify early signs of disease, pest infestations, structural weaknesses, nutrient deficiencies, and storm-related damage. Addressing these issues early can help preserve tree health, reduce safety risks, and prevent costly removals or property damage.
Many property owners seek tree services only after a tree becomes hazardous or visibly unhealthy, but true tree wellness extends beyond reactive solutions. It focuses on preventive care, including strategic pruning, soil management, disease prevention, and ongoing monitoring to support healthy growth and structural integrity. This proactive approach helps trees remain strong, attractive, and better equipped to withstand environmental stress.
As weather patterns continue to shift and trees face increasing challenges from severe storms, drought, pests, and disease, comprehensive tree care has become more important than ever. A well-planned tree maintenance program helps improve resilience, promote healthy development, and reduce the likelihood of unexpected tree failures. By investing in professional tree care, property owners can enjoy safer, healthier, and more beautiful trees that contribute lasting value and enjoyment for years to come.
Tucked a few miles southwest of downtown, Ardmore is Winston-Salem’s largest residential neighborhood, with roughly 4,300 households spread across an area bordered by Stratford Road and Salem Parkway to the north, Peters Creek Parkway to the east, and Silas Creek Parkway to the south and west. Within that larger footprint sits Historic Ardmore, a designated section listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The neighborhood’s roots trace back to 1910, when a development company bought farmland to create Crafton Heights as an extension of the West End. That project’s success quickly spurred a second wave of growth, and the first three houses on what was then Ardmore Avenue, now Hawthorne Road, went up in 1914. Construction continued at a remarkable clip for more than two decades, and the district is recognized for being Winston-Salem’s first automobile suburb, with garages reflecting how central the car was to its early design. Several separately platted developments under different names gradually merged into the single large neighborhood known today, originally marketed to upper-middle-income professionals but eventually home to factory workers, physicians, and tradespeople alike with little social separation between them.
That layered history shows up in the architecture. Walking the tree-lined streets, visitors will spot Queen Anne homes, foursquares, Craftsman bungalows, and modest cottages standing alongside mid-century ranch houses, many sitting on quarter-acre lots planted decades ago. The Ardmore Historic District itself, formally added to the National Register in 2004, encompasses more than 2,000 contributing buildings across roughly 600 acres.
Location is one of Ardmore’s biggest draws. The neighborhood sits almost equidistant between Winston-Salem’s two major hospital systems, with Hawthorne Road running through the middle as the connector. Downtown, Thruway Shopping Center, and a small local strip called Ardmore Village, home to a coffee shop and a couple of longtime neighborhood restaurants, are all within easy reach.
What residents tend to mention most, though, is the community feel. The Ardmore Neighborhood Association organizes events throughout the year, most notably the Ardmore Art Walk each fall, when neighbors open their yards to local artists, drawing crowds in the thousands. Sidewalks, parks, and a generally walkable layout make the area popular with families, dog owners, and anyone looking for an established neighborhood close to the center of the city.
More than a century after its first houses went up, Ardmore remains a place where Winston-Salem’s early twentieth-century growth is still visible on every block, paired with a neighborhood identity that residents have kept very much alive.
Back to homepage, click here.
