5 Top Tree Care and Maintenance Tips
The importance of tree health on human health, the state of the earth’s health and even our home valuations cannot be overemphasised. The wellbeing of us humans and our cities are closely related to the proportion of healthy trees around us. As you might know, trees help in fighting pollution. Carbon dioxide, which we exhale, is also absorbed by trees through the process of photosynthesis. They play a huge part in reducing flooding and soil erosion and generously offer shelter and provide nutrition for other living organisms.
The Important Balance of Mature and New Trees
Planting new trees while caring for older ones is a way of preserving the future. You are playing it forward and leaving a legacy that future generations can enjoy. Just like how we are today able to realise the benefits of trees which had been planted and cared for over centuries. Mature trees have a way of connecting us with the past. You could be sitting on a swing. enjoying the shade under the same old oak tree that once provided similar shelter to your great great grandfather.
Trees As Part of The Local Ecosystem
Firstly, keep in mind that trees form an integral part of the local ecosystem. The degree to which your trees will thrive is highly dependent on where they are planted in your garden. Will their root system be supported by the soil type and quality? Do they have enough room to grow and are there any surrounding structures that might impede their growth? It is really a case of life-long attention to these factors and constant nurturing of your trees that ultimately reaps rewards.
Maintaining and Caring For Your Trees
In order to help trees thrive, they must be loved, cared for and given the right conditions to support their health and maturity. We will look at a few practical ways that trees can be cared for.
5 Easy Ways To Care For Your Garden Trees
In order to help trees thrive, they must be loved, cared for and given the right conditions to support their health and maturity. We will look at a few practical ways that trees can be cared for.
1. Water at the right times
As long as they have been planted in a location that fully supports them, mature trees are generally self-sufficient. Manual watering is only required when trees are of a young age and during rainfall shortages. During drought conditions and depending on the needs of your tree, it might require watering up to five times a week. Naturally, the soil type will determine water retention capacity but a tree’s root system can be quite deep sitting so such regular watering ensures the water reaches those entrenched roots.
2. Clear the weeds around young trees
The light that filters into your garden and the moisture and nutrients contained in the soil are sources of competition between grasses, weeds and plants nearby. It is essential to create at least 3-feet diameter round the tree trunk away from other plants. When new weed shoots come through in the Spring, pull them out so they don’t have a chance to vie for the resources your trees need. If manual weeding sounds too much like hard work, opt for non-chemical options. Landscape fabric is perfect for suppressing weeds whilst allowing water, air and nutrients to your tree roots.
3. Use mulch to retain moisture
Biodegradable mulch comprises of well-rotted manure, older wood chip or leaf mould. Apart from inhibiting the growth of weeds that take away soil moisture and nutrients from your trees, it is also helpful in retaining moisture in the soil so your trees need less watering. It is also useful in protecting your tree roots from extreme cold and hot temperatures.
In late spring and autumn, apply the mulch around your trees, caring to avoid the stems and ensuring a thick layer of at least 4 inches to stem weed growth. Finally, mulch can minimise time spent on weeding for instance as it creates a nice neat border around your trees.
4. Stimulate growth with professional trimming
Pruning is done on a tree to remove dead branches. This is for safety reasons so that dead branches can be removed before they fall off causing destruction to property or injury to persons. It also stimulates the growth and quality of the flowers and fruit that your trees produce. The overall health of the tree is also improved when you prune. Professional trimming can also help to moderate your tree size to match the size of your garden. The most common pruning methods tree surgeons use are:
Crown Reduction: This is when the spread and height of the top part of a tree is cut back. Trimming will minimise the stress of higher heavy tree limbs on the lower part of the tree. There will also be more sunlight penetration to the lower parts of the tree.
Crown Lifting or Raising: This is when the lower branches are trimmed so the lower part of the tree accesses more light and you can have better access to underneath the tree.
Crown Thinning: You can lessen the weight of a tree by thinning the smaller outer branches. This also permits sunlight penetration to the ground and allows for wind to easily pass through the branches preventing damage during a storm for instance.
If you need help, give our professional Bristol tree service a call.
5. Shield young trees
After planting your new tree, it is now time to protect it.
- Avoid using pesticides or herbicides that can kill growing plant tissue
- Erect physical barriers to prevent strong winds from destroying them
- Be careful when using lawn mowers that they do not nick your tree trunks. An injured trunk is less effective in absorbing water from the ground and also becomes more susceptible to diseases and pests.