Are you the proud owner of a beautiful tree? If so, you’re undoubtedly conscious of its many perks: shade in summer, beauty to admire all year round, and great joy to insects buzzing around its branches.
Along with these advantages, however, comes the responsibility of ensuring your green friend continues to thrive — it depends on you, after all! As Brandon’s top-rated tree service, we have put together this guide on how to keep trees healthy and happy.
Prune Your Trees
Pruning, also known as trimming, is crucial to keep your trees healthy. It involves getting rid of dead or diseased branches and those growing in the wrong direction.
We generally recommend doing it during late winter or early spring before new growth starts. You should also use a sharp, sterilized pruning tool and only cut away a quarter of the tree’s crown at one time.
Water Properly
Saplings require regular watering, while established ones might need some supplementation during prolonged droughts. Let the water fully saturate their root zone (about two to three feet deep) near the drip line (the ground covered by the tree’s canopy).
Overwatering can also be a problem, so always check the soil for moisture before introducing more—you don’t want the tree roots to become waterlogged! We also highly discourage using sprinklers because they can rarely reach the appropriate depth.
Mulch the Surrounding Area
If you want an easy way to improve soil quality, control weed growth, and retain moisture, use organic mulch like compost or pine straw. For maximum effectiveness, apply two to three inches of mulch under the tree canopy and replenish it regularly.
Also, avoid letting the material touch the trunk, as it can cause rot. One good rule of thumb is to keep the mulch at least a foot away.
Fertilize Sparingly
When it comes to fertilizer, more does not always mean better! A young tree shrub may benefit from the occasional nutrient boost until mature, but older specimens rarely need feeding.
Only consider fertilizing when the leaves start fading in color or drop prematurely, which might sometimes be a sign of issues like leaf spot disease. For more specific concerns such as how to treat leaf spot disease, consulting a certified arborist can provide the best course of action.
Protect the Trunk
Always be careful when using your lawnmowers or weed eaters near a tree’s base to avoid injuring the bark and twigs. If, however, you accidentally damage the bark, it’s essential to know how to repair damaged bark on a tree. Also, consider using a guard right around the trunk area to prevent other possible damage. Even better, maintain a buffer zone of at least three feet in width between your grass and the tree line.
Partner with a Certified Arborist
Tree maintenance is a serious business, and it’s not something you should take lightly. It requires a careful balance of water and nutrients, as well as regular monitoring and pruning. You can take the hassle out of the equation by partnering with Barone’s Tree Pros.
Our experienced team knows how to keep trees healthy and happy, and we can help you with yours. Call 601-345-8090 for a free estimate! We also encourage you to read our blog to discover why is pruning important and other helpful information.