How to Properly Maintain Your Trees

Trees bring beauty and tranquility to your property, as well as shade and a host of health benefits. They also add value to your home, so it’s important to take care of them. Trees that are not well-cared for can suffer from a variety of environmental assaults, including damage to the roots, trunks or crowns, and disease and insect infestations.

In urban areas, trees are exposed to more stresses than in natural settings, such as the removal of limbs and soil compaction due to construction and lawn mowing. Taking care of the trees on your property is just as critical as maintaining the lawn and other landscaping. Evaluate and monitor them regularly to ensure they are healthy, and hire a qualified arborist to prune your trees for future health.

While it may seem obvious that a dead or damaged tree needs to be removed, the best approach is often to treat the problem in the form of a pruning or planting intervention. An expert will know how to trim a tree for aesthetics, structure and function. In addition, he or she can assist in the selection of appropriate species and planting locations, and will help you understand how to maintain your trees in the long-term.

Regular inspections of your trees by a certified arborist should be a part of every homeowner’s maintenance routine. These inspections should be done regularly (at least once a year) to avoid being surprised by a sudden decline in the health of your trees. An ISA Certified Arborist can look for red flags such as discolored leaves, cracks in the bark, and other structural changes that could indicate a problem is occurring.

Pests and diseases are the major enemies of a healthy tree, and they can wreak havoc in no time at all. Keeping up with a pruning schedule, soil amendments and avoiding cultural practices that can harm your trees will go a long way toward keeping them healthy and disease-free.

A good rule of thumb is to inspect your tree for signs of insect activity throughout the year, especially during transitional seasons. Identifying problems early is key, as these can quickly escalate into serious issues that may be beyond repair.

Protecting trees during construction is also a critical aspect of maintenance, as most damage to the root zones of trees is irreversible and can kill them. Homeowners may not think about this when building a deck or constructing an addition to their house, but it’s essential.

Invasive plants, like ivy and Japanese honeysuckle, can also damage your trees by restricting their ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. It’s important to monitor the growth of these plants and remove them as they grow, as they can also interfere with your hedges and shrubs. Our experts at TreeNewal can help you determine what invasive plants are affecting your trees’ health, and they can remove them safely and efficiently. They can also trim trees that are interfering with your hedges and shrubs, allowing them to grow properly.

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