Sure, trees are all around. They provide us with shade in the summer. The offer us fruit, flowers, and a convenient place to hang tire swings. But chances are you probably don’t put a whole lot of thought into how to properly care for your trees. Most of us don’t think about it at all—until a particularly strong storm blows one down, trellising, or falls on our cars or homes. Knowing how to care for our trees is very important, however, and can help us avoid all of these disasters. A tree, like any other living organism, has a set of needs to grow and maintain the balance of its own system. Things that we do to our trees could be potentially dangerous, and neglecting the needs of our trees can have dire consequences.

There are a few basic steps for tree care that we can follow to ensure that our trees stay in good health, and will aid in preventing disease from occurring. This starts with planting trees in the appropriate area. Every species of tree is different, and it’s essential that you know it’s spatial needs before planting. You’re going to need enough area to support the size of its root system, so know these things in advance and plan accordingly.

Putting mulch around your tree is a great way to keep your tree in great health. It not only prevents lawnmowers from getting too close (which could be harmful to the roots), but it stunts weed growth, and the soil around the tree from being too tramped down. Have your trees pruned regularly to ensure that fungus and disease do not develop. A tree servicing contractor will be able to help you determine the best schedule for this. Make sure that when you prune your trees, also, that you avoid cutting any main branches. Amateurs have a tendency of pruning trees incorrectly, and this could lead to problems later on down the road.

As mentioned previously, being conscious of your tree’s needs is probably the most important thing you can do for it. Care will differ across species, and this includes the best time for pruning. Make sure to educate yourself on what these needs are and carry them through on the proper schedule. One particular factor you should be aware of his how drought tolerant your trees are. It is very important to keep your trees at the proper hydration level. Planting drought tolerant trees in drought-prone areas is absolutely essential. If your trees are not drought-tolerant, and you are not getting enough rainfall, it’s vital that you set up a sprinkler system to accommodate your tree’s water needs. If a tree becomes dehydrated, its branches can dry out and crack, resulting in fallen branches that could potentially harm your family or possessions, or your tree needing costly removal.

Keeping your tree’s environment consistent—or at least consistent to your control—is also very important, as trees react to stress just like other living organisms do. You obviously cannot control the weather or the temperature, but at the very least keeping the soil condition of your tree consistent will do it wonders. Keep lawnmowers and weed-whackers away from the tree and the moisture and nutrient levels consistent, and your tree will be much healthier for it.

Emily

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