Ahhh, spring. When a man’s thoughts turn to … tree care? If you have not gotten started already, it is high time to get your trees ready for summer. Spring temperatures and the chance for severe weather that includes dangerous high winds can challenge the hardiness of any tree. Worry not, though. The team at Promier Tree has you covered with these six tree care tips.
Cleaning and inspection
This should be the first step in any regimen of tree spring care. Those blustery winter winds have scattered debris and trash; make sure none of it has congregated on, beneath or near your trees. This debris may seem harmless but it can provide shelter for insects and other pests, thus making it easier for them to infest your trees. This is also a good time to remove any weeds or competing plants that may siphon off nutrients from the tree. Now that the debris has been removed, your trees are ready for inspection. Even if you are a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, we recommend letting the professionals handle these inspections. A certified arborist has the knowledge about the trees, soil and climate to perform a thorough inspection of all the varieties of trees on your property. An arborist also can identify signs of damage or stress on a tree that may otherwise go unnoticed, as well as evidence of disease or a pest infestation. Moreover, even if the tree’s issues are obvious such as broken branches or trunk damage, an arborist can come up with a plan to address any problems.
Establish a water source
Young trees need more water than mature trees. This increased hydration encourages growth and fosters a stronger, more developed root system. This root system is crucial to the tree’s long-term health. Specifically, the width and depth of the roots should equal the growth and height of the tree. Generally speaking, though, trees do most of their growth during the spring season because of the increased rain. By contrast, summers can be hard on trees because of the hotter, drier conditions.
Add or replenish your mulch supply
A good layer of mulch around your trees serves several purposes:
- It helps retain moisture in the ground underneath a tree;
- It protects the roots from the summer heat and winter cold; and
- It prevents the growth of weeds and vines.
However, poor application of the mulch can do more harm than good. It can threaten the stability of the tree or even jeopardize it. Also, when it comes to mulch, you get what you pay for. Certain tree companies offer “free” mulch, but this usually contains pieces that are too large and may not have been sifted to remove potential trash and debris. Instead, trust your mulch needs to a professional tree company like Promier Tree.
Don’t forget to fertilize
There is some debate about what is the best time of year to fertilize trees, but there’s no harm in adding some fresh fertilizer as part of your spring tree care regimen. Most trees do not naturally possess the correct combination of minerals to encourage sustained proper growth – this only occurs in nature from the breakdown of the materials that comprise a forest floor, which is quite different from your regularly mowed yard. You may require a soil analysis to determine what type of fertilizer is best for your trees – yet another service that can be provided by your friendly Kingsport arborist at Promier Tree.
Full-service tree care in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Make sure your trees are prepared for the stresses of summer. Trust your tree care needs to the experts at Promier Tree. To schedule a consultation with one of our arborists, call (423) 765-2626 today.