Trees are an attractive part of a homeowner’s landscaping and are sometimes taken for granted. It might take a limb scraping the roof or a fallen branch in the driveway for you to start taking care of the trees on your property. However, routine tree maintenance is crucial for your trees to stay healthy and strong. Let’s look at a few things you can do to keep the trees on your property in good shape and looking great for years to come.
Keep Your Trees Healthy with These Maintenance Tips
Add Mulch Around the Tree’s Perimeter
Mulch helps the soil surrounding the tree retain moisture and provides additional protection for the roots. As the mulch decomposes over time, it adds organic matter that contributes to healthier soil.
Apply a layer of mulch about two to three inches thick and extend the mulch out to the drip line of the tree’s limbs. Keep the mulch at least 10″ from the tree trunk to prevent excessive moisture, leading to decay, diseases, and pest infestation.
Tree Maintenance: Water Regularly
Newly planted trees need to be watered once daily for several weeks. Mature trees require approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of the trunk’s diameter. However, in most areas, once a tree is established, you will only have to provide extra water in times of drought.
When watering trees, the goal is to make sure the soil is moist but not soggy. A drip irrigation system is a simple solution that slowly adds water that seeps into the ground and is absorbed by the trees’ roots.
Prune the Trees Properly
Proper tree trimming is an essential step in tree maintenance, as it removes dead or diseased branches and promotes the growth of a healthy tree. Only prune while the tree is dormant (with very little to no leaves), as this minimizes the risk of infection and reduces stress and potential damage to the tree.
Tree Maintenance: Apply Fertilizer in the Fall
Like the rest of your plants, young trees need fertilization in the fall before the winter season puts stress on the root systems. Generally, slow-release nitrogen fertilizer is best to provide proper nutrients. If possible, test your soil every few years to see if necessary elements are lacking.
Trees enhance the yard, adding beauty, interest, and shade, and boosting the property value. Enjoy the benefits of having healthy, strong trees in your landscape by performing regular tree maintenance or hiring an arborist for the job.
Prudent Home Inspections provides inspections for buyers and sellers in the Washington DC metro area. Contact us to request our services.