Tree Care Tips and Tricks

While it may seem like the trees in your garden look after themselves, there is still plenty that you can go to keep them at their healthiest and most beautiful. Of course, you always have the option of calling in a professional tree service, but if you are looking for one or two things which you can do yourself, you have come to the right place. Since we are well into spring now, we are also going to tailor our advice to make it seasonally appropriate as well.

Clean Up

The first step is to clean up the area surrounding your trees. If there are any dead branches, leaves, acorns or pieces of fruit left over from winter months, now is the time to dispose of them or else throw them on the compost heap. And if you have been more than a little slow to take down your festive lights, now is the time to do so!

Put Down a Layer of Mulch

Not only does laying down some mulch help to suppress weeds, it also plays a big role in helping the soil to retain its moisture. Though this is most beneficial for young trees which are under 10 years old, it is also perfectly fine to mulch older trees as well. Essentially, you should be looking to put down a layer of around 3-inches, while also avoiding the area directly next to the trunk as this can encourage diseases to spread into your trees.

Water Your Trees

Even though the weather remains cool at this time of year, you don’t want to risk your trees drying out. So, make sure that you give them a healthy amount of water to quench their thirst. And if it seems like the weather is getting unseasonably warm or the soil is drying out, you need to adjust your watering habits accordingly. If you use a sprinkler system, now is the time to check it for any leaks or clogs. 

Inspect Your Trees

You need to take the time to inspect your trees on a regular basis to check out whether or not there are any early signs of disease or damage. It is worth reading a couple of articles and looking at some pictures before doing this so that you know exactly what you are looking out for. Look out for any signs of creatures which may damage your trees. It is worth calling in the experts if you spot any specific signs of danger.

Pests and Diseases

The threat of pests and diseases to your trees is something which adapts and develops over time, so you need to know exactly what you are looking out for. Speak to an arborist for up to date information about the threats which your trees are facing.

Good Pruning Habits

When you are pruning your trees, you should make sure that you are using tools which are both clean and sharp. If you have several different trees that you need to care for, you should make sure to sanitise your tools between uses. Don’t wait to remove any wood which has become broken, diseased or damaged. But when you are doing any structural pruning, the best time to do this is in the dormant season when you are better placed to see and evaluate the structure of the tree.

Proper tree care may not seem all that complicated, but it is worth following these steps to make sure that your tall and leafy garden friends remain at their strongest for the longest time possible. If you are ever unsure of what you are doing, there are plenty of instructional videos out there which can provide you with a major helping hand. And if you are concerned that you are doing the wrong thing, it is worth consulting with a specialist. You may even need to hire people if the job seems especially complicated such as Knothead tree removal. 

Always take a special effort to protect your safety in the first instance. You shouldn’t get up on ladders which aren’t being held or operate machinery and equipment that you are unfamiliar with at any time. If you are comfortable with chainsaws etc, check out the range on YardCareGurus. Nothing is more important than keeping yourself safe.