Ojai arborist Paul Rogers digs around the base of a 400–year–old Oak tree as owner Dennis Mullican w

Ojai arborist Paul Rogers digs around the base of a 400–year–old Oak tree as owner Dennis Mullican watches. The digging is to prevent moisture from building up. Demand for his services, as well as those of other arborists, is on the rise in Ventura County as trees age, people become more concerned about saving them and more communities adopt and tighten tree protection ordinances, he said. As a landscape consultant, the Canadian native provides advice on tree care for cities, developers and private landowners, everyone from people living on small lots with a single oak to wealthy clients. (Photo by Bryan Chan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)