Trees are an essential part of our environment, providing us with shade, reducing energy costs, and reducing air pollution. But to ensure that they stay healthy and thrive, they need regular maintenance. Young trees need regular watering, especially during periods of drought. Water deeply to saturate the entire root zone (2-3 feet deep for mature trees) to just outside the drip line (an imaginary line from the outside of the tree canopy to ground level).
For more complex tree care needs, it's best to contact a professional Tree Service in Charleston for advice and assistance. Newly planted trees should receive about 20 gallons of water per week, especially in the hot, dry summer months. Tree holes should be kept free of garbage, road and sidewalk salt, and dog droppings, which can contaminate the soil. When planting a tree, it's important to consider what you want it to be used for. Do you want it to provide shade, a visual screen, act as a windbreak, provide food and habitat for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, improve aesthetics, or complement the existing landscape? Are you planting to reduce your cooling bills in summer? Or do you want trees to serve as stream buffers?Regardless of this debate, everyone agrees that fertilizers are beneficial after the first few growing seasons. Plan to fertilize your tree at the same time as you do your annual pruning.
It's also OK to fertilize later in the season, after the tree enters its dormant winter phase. Consistent tree pruning ensures that your trees look beautiful and healthy. It's imperative that you water your plants regularly, especially if they're new. Water helps carry important nutrients to all parts of the tree, and it also helps young trees to stay upright. As a general rule, aim to consume approximately 10 gallons of water for every inch of trunk diameter.
Older trees need less water because they have expansive root systems that can draw water from below the ground. The same cannot be said for young trees, and you need to water them regularly to help them take root, so they will need less water. Contrary to popular belief, mulch is not just a decorative element for the garden. Mulch also helps trees retain water, especially in dry regions. It also helps protect trees from drastic changes in temperature and is very beneficial for newly planted trees. If your trees aren't looking their best despite your best efforts, it could be something related to the land.
Maybe the soil lacks the optimal pH level and minerals for proper growth. Soil tests help determine the pH level and minerals in the soil so that you can take the necessary measures. You can buy a homemade soil test kit, but it may not give the most accurate results. Instead, consider hiring a professional to perform extensive soil testing. You'll have to pay a little more than a thousand dollars for a professional soil analysis. At Davey Tree, we pride ourselves on providing fast, professional and personalized service from certified arborists who live, work and participate in their community. Choosing the right tree for the right site and following the right planting and care guidelines will give your trees the healthy start they need to grow strong and live long.
Now that you know how to care for a tree with these tree maintenance tips, make sure you put them into practice. It's possible to plant trees closer than that, but using the mature extent of the tree to determine spacing should leave enough room for each tree to grow. Tree maintenance is as important as planting trees because it's the only way they can thrive and look their best. Trees are among the longest living organisms on Earth, but in urban and suburban areas the average lifespan of a tree is only a fraction of its natural potential. Davey provides comprehensive landscape, land management and tree care services at commercial properties across North America. If you think a tree needs maintenance pruning, you can wait for the normal cycle or you can call 311 to request an inspection by a forester who can assess the tree's pruning needs. The watering you did during the planting process helps the tree to overcome the impact but you must continue to water it regularly so that it fully recovers.
Small holes in a tree trunk may indicate that insects have already infested the tree and have affected its health. Ball and burlap trees (B&B) weigh much more than trees with bare roots and lose a substantial amount of roots when extracted in the nursery. Using tree stakes and wrappers adds more protection by keeping the tree in place and protecting its crown from the wind.