Tree Care – How to Care For Your Trees and Shrubs

Tree care is an ongoing process that keeps your trees and shrubs healthy, thriving and looking their best. It begins with proper species selection for the location, and continues with proper planting, mulching, watering, fertilizing, pruning and inspection. Healthy plants are your first line of defense against pests, diseases and damage from extreme weather conditions.

A well-maintained tree can add value to your property, beautify the landscape and increase energy savings in summer by cooling the environment around it. But a poorly-cared for or damaged tree can cause significant damage to the structure of your home, power lines and sidewalks and driveways.

Newly planted trees and those that have been transplanted into new sites need special attention for the first few years of life. They may go into a period of shock, or transplant shock, after being moved from their nursery containers or from the ground to your yard. Newly planted or transplanted trees need regular, deep watering to help them overcome this shock and become established in their new homes.

In addition, young trees are particularly vulnerable to drought and heat. When the weather becomes extremely hot or cold, you should increase the amount of water you give them to ensure their health and longevity.

Mulching reduces soil moisture loss through evaporation and helps insulate roots from extreme summer and winter temperatures, keeping them cooler and healthier. It also provides a source of organic matter that aids in nutrient cycling, which is important for all growing plants, including trees.

Proper tree maintenance includes periodic pruning to remove dead or diseased branches and encourage growth in desirable directions. However, indiscriminate lopping of large branches, often referred to as “topping,” can stress the plant and create major problems in the future. Topping can leave the plant exposed to sun and wind damage, insect infestations and decay. Topping should be avoided unless you are trying to protect a property line, power lines or other infrastructure.

If your property is located near a highway, you will need to be especially cautious about how you care for your trees. The constant movement of cars, trucks and buses can cause soil compaction, which in turn damages root systems. In addition, road salt can harm or kill many of the trees in your area that are not tolerant to it.

The key to protecting your investment is regular inspections by a trained professional, like an arborist. These professionals can identify potential issues before they become damaging or fatal. They can also provide guidance in the use of a variety of planting techniques and practices, as well as additional soil management and nutritional treatments to promote good health.