Tree Care Tips for Healthy Trees
Trees provide several benefits to the environment and wildlife, yet they are the least of our concerns regarding planting and caring for them.
There are plenty of ways you can go about it. These ways, as given by tree services, include:
Watering the trees
Water is essential for trees and other living things to survive, but too little or too much can harm tree roots.
Pests, transplant shock, and diseases will infect water-stressed trees. Furthermore, it has the potential to kill the tree, so when watering, follow the guidelines outlined below:
Water is necessary for the tree to survive regularly from the beginning to the end of its existence, and irrigation will supply the strength trees require for a healthy start.
You must water trees according to the weather. Avoid watering at noon on hot and humid days since the roots will burn out from the heat.
Water the trees once a week on cold days. Otherwise, they will take up too much water and become damaged from the inside.
The trees naturally receive water during the rainy season, so avoid watering them.
Morning is the best time to water trees.
Water requirements differ amongst tree species. Find out the precise requirements of the trees you are watering. Once established, native or drought-tolerant trees may require less water, whereas newly planted or younger trees may require more frequent watering.
When watering, water at the dripline of the tree. The drip line is the outside border of the canopy, where the majority of the active root system is located.
Watering near the dripline ensures that water reaches the roots of the tree, where it is most required. Watering straight at the trunk might cause decay and other problems.
Prune the trees
Pruning is one of the most important things you can do to keep your trees healthy. If you do not prune the tree’s specific limbs, the tree will begin to suffer damage.
Furthermore, branches will become afflicted by bugs and eventually die. By cutting the sick limb, you can save the entire tree, which could cause damage to your property if an infected branch falls on your house or car.
Furthermore, pruning trees helps keep them in a beautiful shape that looks crisp and clean.
Before you decide to prune the branches, you must determine which ones must be pruned.
As a rule of thumb, you should remove damaged or dead branches. To tell whether a branch is ripe for pruning, you need to inspect it visually, and if you have any doubts, scratch it with your finger. You should remove it if the inside is brown and the outside is green.
Dead branches open the door for pests and diseases to spread throughout the tree. You can tell whether the branch is dead by looking at it, but if you are in doubt, gently bend it to see if it is dead. If it bends, it is healthy; if it breaks, it is dead.
Timing is everything when doing the pruning. Pruning is most effective during the dormant season (late winter to early spring) before new growth begins.
Some trees, such as flowering ones, may require special timing to avoid removing buds or interfering with blooming. For the best trimming period, research the specific tree species and consult local resources.
You should always use the right pruning tools. Hand pruners for short branches, loppers for larger branches, and pruning saws for thicker limbs are some of the best tools. To make clean cuts and avoid tree damage, ensure your instruments are clean, sharp, and well-maintained.
You should be strategic in how you do the pruning. Begin with the removal of dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Then, cut branches crossing, rubbing against one another, or growing inward toward the tree’s heart.
Maintain a sturdy and balanced branch structure for adequate ventilation and light penetration.
To minimize breaking the bark and causing extra damage, utilize the three-cut approach on bigger branches.
To begin, create an undercut approximately 12-18 inches from the branch collar, followed by a top cut a few inches further out, forcing the branch to fall. Finally, without breaking the branch collar, make the final cut.
As much as you want a well-pruned tree, do not remove more than 25% of a tree’s leaf. This is because excessive trimming can cause stress to the tree, affecting its health and vigor. If extensive pruning is required, try spacing it out over several years to reduce the impact.
Remove the dead trees.
It may sound unpleasant, but trees must occasionally be removed from the backyard, garden, or other locations.
Some prime reasons to remove the trees are if they endanger the other trees or your property. If a tree becomes infected or diseased, you must remove it.
It is dangerous to remove a dead tree, especially if it is huge or near structures or electrical lines. To be safe, seek the advice of tree removal services Bethesda or an arborist with the knowledge, experience, and equipment to remove the tree properly.
Safety should always come first. Wear protective equipment such as gloves, eye protection, and a hard hat. Keep bystanders away from the work area and establish clear limits to avoid accidents.
Always use the right tools and equipment for the job. Chainsaws, ropes, pulleys, wedges, and a sturdy ladder are some of the best ones to go for. Ensure the equipment is in good working order and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use.
If the tree you want to remove is large, cutting it into smaller portions is generally more practical and safer.
Begin by eliminating the branches, working your way up from the bottom. You should cut the trunk into manageable sections for easy handling and disposal.
If the tree’s surroundings permit, consider using a controlled removal procedure. This entails systematically removing branches and portions of the tree, beginning from the top and working downward. It reduces the likelihood of the tree falling uncontrollably and inflicting damage.