Tree Care: 7 Ways to Keep Your Trees Healthy
It is essential to keep up with routine tree care in order to keep your trees thriving. Here are 7 things you can do to keep your trees healthy.
Keyword(s): tree care
Are you tired of seeing your trees struggle to survive and don’t know what to do to bring them back to life?
It’s important for every homeowner to have healthy trees. By providing shade on hot days they cut down on energy costs. They also attract animals and insects to your yard and decrease soil erosion.
Despite their great value, many people struggle to care for them correctly. This is why so many trees become unhealthy. Fortunately, there are several tree care techniques that you can make use of in order to grow healthier trees.
If you want to find out how to care for your trees, then read on and we’ll tell you what you need to know.
1. Make Sure You’re Planting The Right Kinds Of Trees
If you want to grow a tree that will thrive and last a lifetime, this is one of the most important things that you can do. You should make sure to search for a species of tree that grows well in your climate.
You should also be aware of what soil conditions the tree you want to plant grows best in. If the tree you want to plant thrives in clay-like soils but the soil on your property is loamy, it’s probably not a good idea to plant it on your land.
You should also take note of how much light is available on your property. If you live in a forested area that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, it’s important that you choose to plant trees that grow well in these conditions.
If you are not sure what kind of tree will be best to plant, it can always be a good idea to plant a species that is native to your area. If you live in Texas, several native species that will probably grow well in your yard include live oak, cedar elms, black cherries, and Mexican white oaks.
2. Get Rid Of Stakes Early On
Did you know that trees that are allowed to sway in the wind while they’re still young will grow stronger trunks? This is why you should only use stakes to support your tree when it is very young.
Try using a two-stake system by placing on on either side of the root ball. After you’ve done this, tie a string between the two stakes which is also wrapped around the tree.
In the months after planting a new tree, you should also keep a close eye on it. As soon as it shows signs that it’s able to grow on its own without support, consider removing the stakes. Though there is no set amount of time how much time a tree will need to have stakes, it’s usually a good idea not to keep them attached to a tree for more than one year.
3. Properly Water Your Tree
If the trees you’re growing are still young, they’re going to need to be watered regularly. Even if you have mature trees, you’re going to need to water them in times of drought and in the middle of the summer heat.
When you water your trees you should give them lots of water. You want to make sure that the water reaches the entire root zone, which can be up to three feet deep for mature trees.
Don’t simply water at the base of the trees, and don’t count on your lawn’s sprinklers to do the job for you. It’s a better idea to use a hose in order to water the soil beneath the entire tree canopies. You can also set up a drip irrigation system if you like.
Before you water your trees again, give the soil a chance to partially dry. This will help the tree’s roots to expand and be healthy.
4. Fertilize Your Tree When You Need To
If you want to grow healthy trees it can be a good idea to fertilize them every once in a while. With this being said, it’s not a good idea to assume that you need to do it every year.
Young trees need an occasional fertilizer, but older trees only rarely will need it. You’ll know that you’ll need to apply fertilizer when your trees are not growing well or if their leaves are brown and yellow. Along with applying fertilizer, there are other important steps you should take in order to save your dying trees.
5. Tree Health Tip: Prune Your Trees Properly
When you prune trees, you enhance their strength and structure. The pruning process involves making thin cuts in order to remove limbs at their origin. Many people make the mistake of making heading cuts, which means they cut along the length of a branch. By pruning your trees correctly, you’ll help them to be more healthy and more beautiful.
6. Protect The Roots
Protecting the roots is one of the tree maintenance techniques that people often overlook. You should never drive cars or heavy equipment on top of your trees’ roots. You should also never remove or change the soil that’s under the tree canopy, as this can be harmful.
7. Add Mulch
You should occasionally add about two or three inches of mulch around the canopy of your trees. Try to use a mulch that is rich in organic compounds such as pine straw or compost.
Use These Tree Care Techniques To Grow Healthy Trees
If you’re trying to grow healthy trees, make sure that you’re using the best tree care techniques. Give them plenty of water, add mulch when needed, and fertilize them when they’re young. You should also know that it is extremely important to prune your trees with the correct techniques and at the correct times.
If you live in the Southlake or Frisco area and are looking for professional help to trim and care for your trees, we’re here to assist you. Please contact us to schedule a free estimate.
