Trees benefit your home in several ways. Trees provide shade during sunny weather, can be a place for your children to play, and also enhances the “curb appeal” of your home—raising the property value. However, having trees on your property also requires an investment of resources: time and money. Trees have to be maintained to keep looking their best.
Moreover, a tree that is damaged or diseased could lead to falling branches that can injure people or destroy property—or the entire tree could die or fall, causing catastrophic damage. Many homeowners prefer the DIY approach when maintaining their property, but if you have this attitude about your trees, it is important to separate fact from fiction. Your tree experts at Promier Tree are here to bust some common myths about tree care, as first compiled by the International Society of Arboriculture.
Myth 1: A newly planted tree does not need to be staked
Many people consider it common knowledge that a new tree should be staked so that it will remain upright and become well-established. In reality, an unstaked tree actually is more likely to develop a more extensive root system, as well as ideal trunk taper. Staking also may damage the trunk as it develops, due to contract with the stakes. If you do stake a tree, remove the stakes and anchoring materials one year after planting.
Myth 2: Tree wraps protect a new tree against insects, disease, and scalding from the sun
Research indicates that common tree wraps do little to prevent extreme variations in the tree’s temperature. Sometimes, the temperature changes have been found to do more damage to a tree that has been wrapped, as compared to unwrapped trees. These wraps also do not serve as an effective safeguard against infiltration from insects, which just burrow under the wrap instead.
Myth 3: Trees should be pruned significantly at the time of planting
Young trees will establish more fully if not pruned. Having a full crown allows your tree to produce higher quantities of the food and plant hormones that serve as fuel to grow the root system. As a result, the root system will be stronger and more extensive, encouraging the tree to be healthier, stronger, and more aesthetically pleasing. During the crucial stage of growth after tree planting, limit pruning to the removal of dead and damaged branches.
Myth 4: Make pruning cuts flush with the stem of a tree
When you prune a tree, it will heal on its own with time. Unlike humans, who regenerate tissue to repair minor wounds, a tree compartmentalizes a wound. By making pruning cuts flush with the stem, you actually create a larger wound and risk removing some of the healthy parent branch tissue. This also could cause a spread of decay through the greater area that potentially could infect the entire tree.
Myth 5: Early spring pruning that makes trees “bleed” causes undue stress and health issues
Certain species of tree such as maples and birches will “bleed,” or lose sap when they are cut in the early spring. This actually will not hurt the tree at all, and any lost sap will not affect the health of the tree. You can prune your trees at any time of year—although we recommend pruning when they are dormant, such as in the late winter, right before they begin to come out of dormancy for the spring.
Professional tree care in Kingsport
Why not remove the guesswork from your tree care and trust the job to the professionals at Promier Tree? Our staff includes arborists who have completed years of training to work with all different species of trees, in varying states of health. We also have access to professional-grade tools and equipment that are not available to consumers and can care for and prune your trees as safely and effectively as possible. To learn more about our program of tree care and maintenance, call (423) 765-2626 to schedule an on-site consultation with a Tri-Cities certified arborists.
Promier tree serves residential and commercial customers in the areas of Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee.