Care Tips For Lush, Healthy Trees
While it may seem like your trees grow and thrive on their own, they do need a little tender loving care from time to time to ensure that they remain assets, not liabilities. You may not be a seasoned tree expert, but you can perform small care actions that significantly impact the health and beauty of your trees. Follow these quick tips for lush, beautiful vegetation that adds value to your property year-round.
Check For Overall Health And Wellness
Walk your property and check trees for damage and disease that has occurred. Trees should sport signs of new growth regularly; if they are looking sparse, this is a sign that something may be wrong.
Yellowing leaves are a sure sign of water saturation caused by poor soil drainage. Cracks and wounds in bark indicate that your tree may be decaying from the inside out. Avoid misdiagnosing the problem; call a professional arborist to help accurately diagnose and treat issues related to tree health.
Be On The Lookout For Pests
Be on the lookout for pests that may compromise tree health. Be mindful of getting too close, as some of these species can also be hazardous to you. Many surface dwellers can be handled with a stiff blast from a garden hose, but they’ll be back before too long. Call a professional to assess and deal with your pest situation for long-lasting, effective treatment.
Clean Around The Base Of Your Trees
Regularly maintain and inspect the area around your trees. Weed surrounding soil and remove any debris that has accumulated such as fruit, fallen leaves, and small branches. Be aware of competing plants that may be creeping up on your tree turf; these plants could hide decay and collect excess moisture around the base of the tree, promoting destructive fungal growth.
Prune If You Dare
Trees undergo a constant process of death and renewal. To encourage new growth, you must prune and cut back dead branches. Pruning seems like an easy enough job, but you can actually do more damage than benefit to your trees if you don’t cut properly. If you decide to cut back, never prune more than 25 percent of your tree foliage at any given time, and use sharp, clean tools to make small changes.
Water Regularly
Trees need watering from time to time, despite what atmospheric gifts you may be given. Check the soil moisture around your trees regularly, diving down to a depth of 6 inches below the surface. Soil should be relatively moist, but not soaking wet.
Replenish Mulch If Needed
A good layer of mulch helps soil to retain moisture and resist the growth of weeds. Add a fresh layer of 3-5 inches of fresh mulch, leaving a space at least 3 inches around the base of the tree. This layer will retain moisture, protect tree roots, and discourage the growth of weeds that may compromise external structures.
Add Fertilizer
Adding a slow-release natural fertilizer as trees and shrubs approach peak growing season. Adding nutrients will protect trees from insects, disease, and environmental stress, boosting soil health and improving the health of your landscape.
Let Us Do The Heavy Lifting!
Sarasota Tree Service is a professional, ISA-certified company specializing in all aspects of tree care and removal. Our trained arborists can provide valuable advice, tips, and services related to tree care and landscape design. Allow us to do the heavy lifting for you; we’ll get those trees in tip-top shape to add value and beauty to your property. Contact us for an appointment today; visit www.sarasotatreeserv.com for more information.