Q. I have a mulberry tree in my backyard. My one neighbor says it is an invasive tree, and another says it is a native tree and good to have. Which neighbor is correct? Answer: Your mulberry tree ...

Mary Jo DiLonardo has worked in print, online, and broadcast journalism for 25 years and covers nature, health, science, and animals. Young trees sometimes have smooth bark that's unbroken by ridges.

If asked to describe what tree bark looks like, most people probably would say something like: “It’s rough and brown and covers the trunk of a tree.” That is a good description of many trees, but not ...