A tree does not stand tall based on its own efforts. Usually, there are external factors like light, temperature, water, and nutrition that play a significant role in the growth of a tree. You can help build a healthy foundation for your tree by practicing basic tree care and maintenance methods to ensure your tree gets a good start for a healthy life.
In this guide, you can learn how to care for trees with routine tree care and maintenance practices.
Ways To Keep Your Trees Healthy: Essential Tree Care Tips
To help your trees stay evergreen, here are some basic tree care tips.
Apply Mulch
A little mulch can go a long way in protecting your trees. Mulch acts as a reservoir by retaining the moisture in the soil, helping your tree or plant extend its water supply. Besides conserving moisture, it also works as a barrier, preventing evaporation and roots from drying out.
Steps to add mulch around your tree:
Trim or remove any grass within a 3-foot area. (For a larger tree, remove up to 10 feet)
Pour the organic material, such as wood chips or bark pieces, 2 to 4 inches deep within the circle.
Avoid piling the mulch against the tree, as the roots are present below.
Remember To Water Your Trees
This may sound obvious, but watering your trees is essential. Some homeowners tend to overwater their trees, which can damage the root system and make them unable to absorb water. You must stick to a watering schedule, generally twice a month, and double the amount of the root ball.
The water intake for every tree varies by species and climate. Identify what tree you have or contact a certified arborist to learn how to properly water your tree. A local professional may offer essential insights on how to care for a tree as they are familiar with the climatic conditions in your area.
Pruning Can Help
Pruning is a key aspect of tree care. By removing diseased or dead leaves and branches, you can support your tree in producing new buds rather than reviving rotten branches. With a proper pruning technique, you can help your tree stand firm.
Pruning doesn’t require much expertise, so most homeowners take it up to themselves to learn how to care for a tree. It is generally recommended you contact a certified arborist for professional pruning services.
Fertilize Sparingly
You may be familiar with the saying, “Too much of anything is bad.” The same applies when you are spreading fertilizer around your tree. While your tree can benefit from fertilizer, consider the trees and soil condition before using fertilizer. Only resort to fertilizer if soil conditions aren’t optimal or if you are caring for a newly planted tree.
Guard Your Trees From Pests
The biggest threat to your trees is comparatively small in size. Pests can infiltrate the inner core of trees, harming the core structure and integrity of the tree. You can use repellant or traps to keep the pests away or plant flowers and herbs that repel certain insects.
While evergreen leaves may appeal to you, the same applies to these pesky insects. With some light pruning, you can easily resolve the problem of annoying pests attacking your tree. To avoid harming the visual appeal of your tree, the expertise of a professional may be of help to you. A trained arborist will strategically trim excess foliage without minimizing the appearance of your tee.
Look For Diseases
The culprit behind most tree deaths is infectious diseases that invade the tree, damage the root structure, and render the internal structure weak. Monitor your tree closely and try to look for early signs of disease to save your tree in time. If you fail to notice at the right time, any measures taken will go in vain, leading to tree removal.
Some common signs of tree disease:
- Bark abnormalities
- Dead branches
- Leaf discoloration
- Premature leaves dropping
- Root damage
- Holes in leaves
If you notice these signs, contact a professional arborist for immediate attention to save your tree.
Clear Away Weeds
Weeds and invasive plants around your tree compete for water, nutrients, and any resource you use to help your tree grow. If there are small plants within a radius of at least half a meter around the stem, there’s a likelihood they may be hoarding all the fertilizer.
You can manually pull out the weeds or use a herbicide to eliminate competitors; this way, your tree can easily reap the benefits of consistent tree care and maintenance. Carefully choose a herbicide, as some types can damage trees if used incorrectly. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to learn how to care for your tree properly.
Test The Soil
Despite your ongoing efforts, your trees fail to look the way you want them to. There’s a chance that something could be wrong with the soil. Your tree is primarily dependent on the soil and its minerals to reach its full potential. Your tree’s growing phase may be at a halt if the soil lacks optimum PH level or required nutrients essential for growth.
You can determine if your tree has the ideal growing grounds by purchasing a DIY soil testing kit. However, the results may vary, so it’s generally recommended to consult a professional arborist for accurate results.
Plant The Tree In The Right Place
You can pave the way for your tree by evaluating soil conditions and environmental factors before planting a new tree. The steps you take in the first few years will help your tree develop a steady root structure and a longer lifespan.
Taking a proactive approach to planting new trees is the best tree maintenance method. Partner with your local arborist to learn how to care for newly planted trees or design a layout if you’re thinking about caring for a tree in the future.
Book Routine Checkups
Routine tree maintenance appointments can make all the difference for your tree. A trained professional can look for early signs of decay and provide recommendations to care for your tree. To learn more about how to take care of a tree, contact your local arborist for tree care tips.
Learn How To Care For A Tree With Hubbard Tree Care
You can promise your tree a healthy life with a little bit of tree care and maintenance. At Hubbard Tree Care, we combine years of experience and the latest techniques to care for your trees to help them thrive. Contact our local arborists for expert tree maintenance tips.
