Having healthy trees is important in order for them to be strong and thrive, even through the toughest of storms. There are times when trees have a more personal meaning and people get attached emotionally to them. Which can make it heartbreaking to watch them have an untimely demise. Luckily, there are things you can do to help your tree live a long and healthy life. This involves proper care and maintenance. Our team at Five Star Tree Services want to go over a few ways you can help keep your tree healthy and happy.
Healthy Tree Maintenance Requirements
Planting Location
The very first thing you can do to set your tree up for success is to plant it in the proper location. Certain trees can require more or less sunlight, making it very important to plant it where it can get the right amount. Take a look around your yard and locate the perfect spot where it will not only have enough sun, but enough room to grow. Avoid planting your tree close to powerlines and utility lines. This will help you to avoid future problems when it grows.
Proper Watering
Next, you need to make sure you water your tree with just enough water. You don’t want to have too much or too little, as both can lead to the death of your tree. Mother nature can help you along when it rains, but you need to make sure to water your tree when it doesn’t rain enough. If you have young trees, they typically need to be watered quite frequently, as their root system is still developing. They will need about 38-151 liters of water every week for the first few years of them being planted. Mature trees can go with about an inch of water every week, as they do have an established root system.
Use Mulch
You will need mulch to help with moisture retention. If there are dry spells, this will help to keep the soil damp. It also helps to protect the roots from damage. You should only lay down 2-4 inches of mulch around the base of the tree. Make sure to keep it away from direct contact with the trunk of the tree.
Add Fertilizer
Just like how you might take a multivitamin, fertilizing your tree helps give them a boost on nutrients that will help them grow and be strong. Find a slow-releasing fertilizer that will nourish the soil around your tree. Regular soil testing is also important. This is going to help make sure nothing is out of balance.
Proper Pruning
Next is proper pruning. This is a great and effective way to improve the overall health of your tree, along with its structure. Removing dead limbs helps your tree to thrive. The best time to prune your tree is during the winter, when it is dormant. This puts less stress on the tree and promotes more growth in the spring. Also, without all the foliage, you can see the limbs better. But make sure to not over prune as this can harm the tree. Proper pruning is essential and should be done by a professional.
Regular Maintenance
Having maintenance done on your tree regularly is essential. When you get a professional arborist to come and check your tree, they can spot problems and deal with them before anything bad happens. Kind of like regular doctors’ visits for people.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
If you are ever unsure how you can be helping your trees, our professionals at Five Star Tree Services would be glad to help! Give us a call at (416) 990-3355 if you want to utilize our tree care services in Toronto!
Call Us Now!