Trees can add beauty and tranquility to your property. Like any other plant, they need to be cared for and nurtured.
Healthy trees are less likely to snap during storms or lose limbs. Trees that are properly cared for are also more resilient against diseases and pests. Visit https://www.hbtreecare.com/ to learn more.
A well-tended tree can last a lifetime. To help your trees thrive, consider these four tree care tips:
Pruning is a critical aspect of tree care that affects the health and longevity of your trees. It is done to enhance the appearance of your landscape, promote growth, reduce the risk of damage or injury, and support wildlife habitats. Regular pruning of trees and shrubs can save you time, money, and energy in the long run.
Pruning includes techniques such as removal of dead branches, thinning to manage or redirect growth, shaping by removing or adding branches, and removing suckers. Different goals call for different pruning cuts and techniques. Regardless of the objective, pruning should be done in the dormant season for most plants. This prevents disease and excessive sap flow from wounds.
Branches that hang over buildings, or reach into power lines are major safety hazards for both the person climbing them and people passing underneath. This is why it’s so important to hire a professional tree service who understands how to properly use equipment and adhere to standardized safety practices.
Properly pruned trees provide a beautiful, clean look that elevates your landscape, and help to keep your home safe from damage or injury. They also help to maintain proper plant shape, balance, and growth while preventing soil erosion.
A well-maintained landscape is essential to your property’s value, but it requires specialized tools and skills that are beyond the capabilities of many homeowners. Trying to trim your own trees or shrubs with improper equipment can result in serious injury to yourself and others, as well as property damage. Hiring a qualified professional to trim or remove overgrown limbs will protect your home, family, and friends from harm, while saving you time, money, and effort.
Watering
Trees require water to thrive, both on a macro level across the globe and on a micro level in your backyard. Without it, trees cannot transfer nutrients and oxygen to the surrounding soil. Over time, this leads to death. To avoid this, it is imperative that newly planted trees receive adequate watering on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, many people do not know how much or how to water a new tree. They may not water it at all or they may over-water it, which can also lead to slow death.
When watering a new tree, the first step is to thoroughly soak the entire root ball. This helps to break up any dirt compacted against the roots, allowing them to take up the water more efficiently. After this, it is recommended to water the tree two to three times a week, especially during hot weather. For best results, watering in the evening or early morning is preferred because this allows for moisture replenishment during the cooler temperatures of these hours and reduces the amount of water lost to evaporation.
Depending on the type of tree and the climate, it may be necessary to use mulch around the base of the tree in order to retain water and keep soil moist. It is also important to water the root zone of the tree, not the foliage. Doing so encourages deep root growth and improves drought hardiness.
It is also a good idea to avoid fertilizers during the establishment period of a new tree. This is because research into light signaling, root development, and plasticity has found that most of a tree’s energy comes from its roots during this period, rather than from the foliage.
Mulching
Mulching is a valuable component of good tree care that can help with many important functions, including frost protection, soil improvement (by increasing organic matter), temperature regulation, weed control and disease management. Several types of mulch are available, and some have unique benefits. Mulching is also one of the most economical landscape practices for homeowners and businesses alike.
Mulch is typically a layer of material, 3-5cm (2in) thick, that is spread over the surface of the soil. There are two main types of mulch, organic and inorganic. Organic mulches, such as wood chips, shredded bark, leaves and compost, decompose, improving the soil structure and fertility. Inorganic mulches, such as rock, gravel and weed barrier fabrics, do not decompose and must be replenished frequently.
A properly applied layer of mulch will help conserve water and reduce evaporation from the soil, but it is important to not over-mulch. An excessive amount of mulch can actually cause problems by creating a moist environment that promotes fungal diseases, such as canker rot or stem girdling root fungi, which can kill the tree. The constant moisture also favors insects that are attracted to wet conditions, such as termites and carpenter ants.
Mulching should not be piled directly against the trunk of the tree, and a small gap should be left for air circulation. This will prevent the buildup of excess moisture that can lead to rot, suffocate the roots and deprive the tree of essential moisture.
Wrapping or Fencing
Whether it’s a sidewalk, hot tub, porch or fence, construction projects on campus can cause stress to the trees on campus. Large equipment strikes limbs, causing them to break or create open wounds that can be attacked by insect pests and diseases. This can lead to a decline in tree health and vitality. The loss of larger limbs reduces the capacity of the canopy to capture sunlight for photosynthesis, while open wounds attract insects and allow disease penetration.
In addition to fencing off areas around historic trees, it is important to limit the amount of foot traffic on the soil near their root zones. Every step on the soil compacts it and destroys its ability to hold water, which can kill nearby roots. To minimize this stress, aerate the soil in and around the root zone before construction begins.
Once construction is complete, monitor the soil for root damage and regrade if necessary. The regrading will help relieve the compaction and reestablish a more natural grade that will be healthier for the root system.
During winter, it’s a good idea to wrap young or thin-barked trees like maple and elm, as well as evergreens such as arborvitae and junipers, to prevent sunscald. The wrap should be placed on the trunk in the fall before the onset of freezing temperatures and removed once the ground has thawed in the spring.
Removal
Trees play a vital role in our environment, contributing to better air quality, climate amelioration, and biodiversity. Despite these benefits, there are times when a tree’s removal may be necessary to enhance safety and property or address specific environmental concerns. When a tree’s condition warrants removal, it should only be done by a professional with the right equipment and knowledge to ensure safety and success.
Some reasons for removal include severe damage that poses a danger to people or property such as broken or leaning branches, structural defects, or visible roots. Pest or disease infestations also call for removal as they can spread to other trees and cause further problems.
The age of the tree is another factor determining whether removal is needed. A mature tree with deteriorating or dead limbs may be at risk of falling during storms, which can cause property damage or injury. In addition, older trees can become prone to branch failure or collapse, especially in areas prone to wildfires.
When a tree is removed, it is important to properly dispose of the debris. A professional can help make sure the site is free of tripping hazards and other debris so it can be used for future planting or reclaimed by the city.
It’s also important to plant new trees where they can grow and thrive. If a tree was planted in the wrong location, it may suffer from poor growth and be more likely to die. The soil may not be suited for the species or have other conditions that prevent its survival, including being too sandy or clay-like. Other causes of improper planting can include drought, too much shade, and invasive plants.