Now that the weather is getting warmer, trees are waking up from their dormancy, and they are ready to bloom and grow. To ensure that your trees thrive this spring and beyond, you will want to implement the following spring tree care tips.
1. Carefully Check Your Trees for Damage or Disease
During the winter, trees can be impacted by harsh weather conditions such as high winds and winter storms. Insects and small animals can also seek warmth and shelter and burrow into your trees, causing further damage. Check your trees for damage to their bark as well as their branches. Additionally, make sure trees are not leaning, as this can pose a serious hazard to people, pets, and property if they fall. If you notice any signs of damage or see that a tree is leaning, contact a professional tree care specialist for help. A tree care expert will come out to your property and assess the seriousness of your situation. Once the specialist makes the assessment, you will receive recommendations for getting your trees in order. Recommendations can include removing damaged or diseased portions of the trees and removing problem branches. Trees that are leaning can sometimes be saved, but only a professional can make that determination.
2. Use Fertilizer
Just as we enhance our diets with vitamins, trees can be provided with enhancements to ensure they receive adequate nutrients. Using high-quality fertilizer will supplement nutrients to give your trees everything they need to thrive. Before you use fertilizer, consult with an arborist. Not just any fertilizer from a store will do, as some fertilizers are of inferior quality.
3. Deeply Water Trees
While grass and garden plants may benefit from shallow watering every day, the same is not the case for trees. Tree roots can go as far as 24 inches below ground, so deep watering is the best way to ensure the roots can get the necessary amount of water for adequate hydration. Most trees can benefit from deep watering once a week; however, it is advised that you consult with an arborist concerning your trees before engaging in any watering regimen because some tree species have different watering requirements.
4. Trim and Prune Trees
Just as humans benefit from hair trimming to ensure that hair grows optimally, the same is true for trees. Trimming and pruning allows for diseased or dead portions of trees to be removed to make room for more growth. Do not attempt to trim or prune trees yourself because if it is done incorrectly, you can damage or even kill your trees. Always have an arborist perform this job.
5. Place a Layer of Mulch Around Your Trees
To ensure that trees do not lose water when temperatures increase, lay down between two to four inches of mulch depending on the type of mulch you are using. If your mulch is double shredded or has a fine texture, do not use more than two inches because these types of mulch do not allow as much oxygen to reach root systems. Only use organic mulch, as mulch that is comprised of organic matter will decompose and improve soil quality.
Do not wait until the weather gets too hot to start tree care. Call Midtown Tree Service in Tulsa for tree inspections, trimming and pruning, and follow-up tree care.
