Tree Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Trees Healthy

Trees add beauty to the landscape and offer a host of benefits, including shade and energy savings. But it’s important to check up on them regularly, especially after storms, and make sure they’re healthy and not showing signs of disease or structural weakness. Proactively checking your trees can help you avoid costly—and potentially dangerous—problems down the road, such as a branch falling on your house or roots cracking concrete.

Taking care of your trees involves much more than watering and pruning. There are many things that can go wrong with your trees, from pests and diseases to root problems. Getting a regular check-up by a qualified professional, following the right Tree Maintenance tips and working with a knowledgeable local Arborist can keep your trees thriving.

Soil Management

The roots of a tree are as important to its health as the canopy above it. Keeping the soil properly conditioned with a balanced amount of water and oxygen is vital to creating strong and healthy roots. The proper amount of organic matter also contributes to a healthy root system. Adding mulch around the base of your trees and removing invasive grasses and weeds will help with soil condition.

Pruning

Tree pruning is an essential part of a healthy, vibrant landscape and is one of the most effective ways to maintain your yard and property. Removing dead or damaged branches promotes new growth and prevents the development of rot and insect infestation. Trees can also be pruned to shape them or to remove a portion of their canopy, but it is important not to do too much pruning or a tree may not recover.

It’s essential to know your species of tree and what its specific needs are. Calling a local arborist for advice is always a good idea as different species respond differently to the same pruning and maintenance practices.

Unnecessary Staking

It is common for young or wind-thrown trees to require staking, but this practice can damage the trunk and lead to weak roots. Staking should only be used in extreme situations and never on large canopy trees.

Branches Over Power Lines

Branches that hang over power lines pose a major safety hazard to anyone attempting to remove them and to passers-by. Contact your local utility company before doing any work on a tree near power lines. They will send someone out to inspect it for free and can give you more information about the best course of action.

Proper Cabling and Bracing

Severe structural defects, such as root rot, should be corrected by a trained professional. These repairs are typically done using cable and bracing techniques which can help save the tree, but it is important to note that these techniques should only be performed by a trained Arborist.

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