Maintaining Your Property’s Trees

How to Guarantee a Long and Healthy Life for Your Trees

A property surrounded by lush, healthy trees is a joy to behold. Look after your trees, and they’ll be with you through your whole life and last for generations to come.

We often think of trees as mighty behemoths, able to fend for themselves. But they do require a little bit of tender loving care from time to time. You can search for ‘arborist near me’ on search engines to find an expert to help you with ailing trees, and they’ll give you advice on how best to keep your trees healthy and strong for years to come.

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the essential things your trees need to flourish and how to care for them as a homeowner.

Location, location, location

Perhaps the most crucial element in a tree’s health is where it is planted. It needs enough space for its roots and full canopy and a spot that will get enough sun. Consider whether there are power or utility lines near the location before planting a new tree.

Speaking of new trees, one of the most common problems arborists see is trees that have been planted too deep in the ground. Be sure to space out the location of your property’s trees when they’re being planted and ensure the trees aren’t planted too deep.

Mulch

Mulch, made from materials that include bark, compost, and decaying leaves, is terrific for the health of trees. It insulates the tree roots and keeps them moist while protecting them from lawnmower cuts.

Organic mulches give the soil structure, improve drainage, and help maintain nutrients in the soil. They suppress weeds and keep the soil cool in the summer while preventing frost heaving in the winter.

Remove the grass around your trees and spread 2-4 inches of mulch, but be careful not to cover the tree’s base.

H20 to Go

Like all plants, trees need water to survive. Most mature trees need around an inch of water each week, so if your location is prone to dry spells, think about your trees from time to time.

New trees are even thirstier, requiring between 4-10 gallons of water per week for their first few seasons. If you want to start your new trees off on the right foot, always make sure they’re well-watered.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer can give the soil around your trees a boost in nutrients, something they often need when planted in a garden. Whereas the ground in a natural forest constantly gets new nutrients from grass and dead leaves, we tend to rake this away to keep our yards clean.

To right the ship, adding a slow-release fertilizer will release nutrients into the soil on an ongoing basis.

If your trees seem to be distressed, it’s a good idea to test the soil periodically to see which nutrients might be missing from the soil they’re sitting in. This way, you can combat the problem head-on.

Pruning Your Trees is More than Aesthetics

Pruning your trees isn’t just to make them look nice. It can help their structure and allow them to thrive. It’s best to perform major pruning when the tree has no leaves, if possible. In the summer, when the tree is in full flourish, you should only focus on the smaller twigs and damaged areas.

Identify the major branches of the tree that make up its skeleton. These branches should only ever be removed by a professional. Remove branches that are broken or show signs of disease. Thin-out areas especially thick with branches, as branches too close together can foster fungus and attract insects.

Pruning should be as minimal as possible for a tree’s health. If you are in any doubt, consult an arborist.

Expert Consultation

An arborist can help you discover diseases and pests early before they become a major issue that potentially kills your tree. Cankers, holes, and discolored leaves can point to problems that need to be solved quickly, and a certified arborist will be able to advise you.

In most cases, it’s best to get a professional to check your trees once a year. Usually, the arborist can also perform the required pruning you need, test the soil, and advise about how best to develop your garden landscape.

Let us Help You!

If you’re a tree lover, you know how important these gentle giants can be to your garden’s well-being, not to mention the tremendous positive effects they can have on your mental well-being. Treat your trees right, and they’ll give back to you in spades. Contact your local certified arborist and tree surgeon today.