As a home or commercial property owner, caring for the trees on your landscape is a responsibility that falls to you. While this may sound like a simple task, since trees don’t require quite the same attention as other garden and landscape plants, there’s actually more to it than you might think.
Unfortunately, those who aren’t trained in proper tree care often make mistakes that put their trees at risk without even realizing it. If you want the trees on your property to grow healthy and stand tall for years to come, make sure you’re not making these common tree care mistakes!
Piling on the mulch.
Adding a layer of mulch around the base of a tree helps it to retain moisture and provides insulation to protect roots from extreme heat and cold. A lot of people make the mistake of assuming the thicker the layer, the more hydrated and better protected it will be. The truth is though, too much mulch can actually cause your trees to rot by trapping too much moisture and suffocating the roots.
Overusing your sprinklers.
On the topic of excess, another common faux pas DIY tree caretakers often commit is overwatering. While younger trees do need more water as they grow, a majority of older, already-established trees don’t need to be watered as frequently. Programming your sprinklers to soak your trees every afternoon or drenching them with the hose too often can have the same effect as too much mulch—suffocated roots and rot.
Not hitting the pruning sweet spot.
One of the first things you learn in tree care 101 is that pruning is crucial for a tree’s health and survival. The trouble is knowing exactly how much pruning is the right amount. If you prune too much, you’ll end up removing too many healthy branches, making your trees thin, weak, and more susceptible to damage. On the other hand, not pruning enough will make your trees unsafe with branches that could fall at any time or infect the rest of the tree with any disease they might have.
If you’re worried that you’re not providing your trees with the proper care they need to thrive, leave them in the hands of a professional instead.
At Forest Tree Service, our specialists are trained and experienced in routine tree maintenance and the best solutions to common tree problems. We’ll do whatever it takes to keep your trees safe and beautiful.
Contact us today to discuss your tree care needs!