Trees are important elements of any landscape. They provide shade, beauty, and habitats for wildlife. However, poorly cared-for trees can make even the most well-designed landscape look shabby and run-down. Here are some basic tree care tips.
Water Generously
Many trees grow very large very quickly and require a lot of water to do so. If you’re stingy with watering, young trees may experience stunted growth, poor foliage development, and greater susceptibility to pests and diseases. If your area does not get regular rainfall, give your trees several inches of water per week during their active growing season.
Pruning
Like most other plants, trees benefit from proper pruning. It keeps their foliage dense and bushy, stimulates new growth, and can actually improve their resistance to illness.
Remove suckers, drooping branches, and limbs that overhang buildings or obstruct walkways. Using clean, sharp pruners is a must. Dull blades cause extensive damage to healthy tissue, while tools that aren’t cleaned between uses can introduce harmful pathogens into a healthy tree.
Furthermore, one of the best tree care tips is to not over-prune. Topping and other methods that involve heavy removal of healthy growth are extremely damaging to trees and can be fatal to them.
Sealing Wounds
Whether caused by a violent storm or careful pruning, branch removal leaves a gaping wound behind. Much the same as in other organisms, this encourages infection by bacteria and viruses. In order to decrease the chances of your tree becoming diseased, seal up all large wounds. Many experts recommend the use of flat black spray paint. The paint creates a waterproof coating over the exposed area, while its fumes discourage pests from taking advantage of the weakness.
Fruit Trees
Fruit-bearing trees often require more care than ornamental varieties. When they’re young, it’s important to pick the immature fruit off the first two or three years. This allows the sapling to put more energy into growth, which means you’ll get better yields down the road.
Need Further Assistance?
Having great looking trees takes time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it. Basic tree care doesn’t always require a lot of special knowledge or equipment, but many jobs, especially on larger trees, are better performed by professionals. You can use TalkLocal to find an experienced tree care service in your area. We will connect you with up to three professionals within minutes.
