Myths About Tree Care
Owning a home is an exciting experience, yet many new homeowners consider the many aspects of care and maintenance that must be addressed to keep your home in good condition. An aspect of homeownership that’s often even more neglected is taking care of a landscape. From shrubbery to trees, you are responsible for caring for and maintaining your property in such a way as not to damage your home or that of your neighbors.
Tree Maintenance 101
Trees need some TLC to ensure that they grow strong and healthy. While we may take a look at our trees every once in a while, many of us don’t know very much about maintenance and care. The following information is designed to help you---the homeowner--become more familiar with aspects of tree care that you can perform yourself. Of course, this is not meant to be advice that suggests a trained tree care professional is not needed from time to time. The more we know when assessing our trees, the more accurately we’ll be able to determine whether professional tree care and intervention are needed. How well do you know your tree trivia?
Trees: Myth vs. Fact
Whether you’re a new homeowner or a seasoned “professional,” you’re likely to have some questions about tree care and the best way to maintain your property. Soak up this myth vs. fact tidbits, and you’ll be better able to care for them.
Myth #1: All trees should be securely staked when first planted.
Fact: While it may be necessary to stake most types of trees, there are situations where it can do more harm than good. An un-staked tree tends to develop a more solid root system and better trunk taper. Some damage can occur if staking materials aren’t used properly; if you choose to fortify your trees in this manner, make sure you remove them when they are no longer needed.
Myth #2: Newly planted trees should be wrapped.
Fact: Studies involving the most common types of tree wraps show that their use does not prevent sunscald and damage due to temperature fluctuations. Some of these studies even indicated that wraps attract burrowing insects due to added extra layer of protection, giving them cover to potentially do more damage.
Myth #3: Young trees should be heavily pruned to stimulate correct growth
Fact: Tree establishment will happen most efficiently with pruned trees. It may be tempting to lighten the crown of your growing tree to reduce the curvature of the trunk and lower-lying branches; a tree needs a full crown to assimilate moisture and nutrients. Limit your pruning efforts to those branches that are damaged.
Myth #4: Pruning anything larger than 3 inches should be painted with a tree sealant.
Fact: Many common tree seals can interfere with the natural growth processes of a tree. Seals do not prevent infection or infestation, and they can clog up the vascular system of a tree that provides water and valuable nutrients through its structure. Pruning large branches should be left to a professional arborist to minimize tree damage.
Myth #5: The root system of a tree is a mirror image on top.
Fact: Taproots on large, mature trees are uncommon. As a root system grows down into the soil, it often encounters hard, compact subsoil, forcing it to grow horizontally to maintain its strength and structure. As a result, the root system of most trees lies just three feet below the surface.
Myth #6: Trees require deep root fertilization for the process to be effective.
Fact: With most U.S. soil, the majority of absorbent roots lie just eight inches below the surface layer of topsoil. As a result, deep root fertilization can be a costly process that is no more effective than topsoil fertilization. Check with your tree care professionals to determine the best methods for fertilizing your trees.
Myth #7: I can handle tree care myself. I don’t need professional services.
Fact: While it may be tempting to try and save money by caring for your trees on your own, there might just come a time when it becomes too dangerous and too costly to perform. In these cases, it will be more cost-effective to employ the services of a trained arborist who will accurately diagnose and treat your trees.
Sarasota Tree Service: A Trusted Choice For Tree Care
Take the guesswork of caring for your trees! Sarasota Tree Service is a group of caring and committed professionals who are experts in all aspects of tree care. Planting, pruning, landscape design, and removal--we have all of your tree care needs covered from start to finish. Contact us now to see how we can improve the health and beauty of your trees. Visit https://www.sarasotatreeserv.com/ for more information.