Many people don't think about their landscaping until spring, but experts know that getting started in the fall can make spring care easier and more rewarding. When getting your trees ready for winter, there are a few important steps to take. Use the PINE method to stop problems before they start: prune, inspect, feed, and extend.
- Prune unruly branches
- Check the trees for dead branches, damage from insects, or signs of disease.
- Give trees water and organic mulch to keep them healthy.
- Plant new trees in the fall to make next year's growing season last longer.
Remember that healthy trees that have been taken care of usually don't die, break, lose limbs, or house termites. Keeping your trees healthy can help keep your home and property from getting hurt.
Trees can grow without people. Most trees grow well where they are planted, but sometimes people hurt the trees they want to show off by accident. When you park your car under a tree often, it can hurt the tree because it presses the ground down too hard, making it hard for the roots to grow and move in the soil.
Homeowners often want to build a building near or around a beautiful tree because they think the tree will make the building look better. Don't do it! When building is too close to trees, it can hurt their roots and the space they need to grow. Roots need to grow to be twice or three times as long as branches before they can support a tree. Talk to a contractor about what your trees need, and put up signs where construction vehicles shouldn't drive or park.
Ten Ways To Keep Trees Healthy
The most valuable and hardworking parts of our landscape are the trees. They provide shade for our homes and neighbourhoods, which lowers our energy bills. They raise the value of the property, cut down on air pollution and soil erosion, and give wildlife a place to live. Not to mention that they make our lives more beautiful and peaceful. It's easy to forget that trees need our care because they look so calm and peaceful in the background. For trees to continue to grow and stay healthy, they need to be cared for properly. So, here are ten things you can do to keep your trees healthy:
1. Pick the right tree to plant. This is the first and one of the most important things you need to do to make sure you can enjoy a tree for many years. Choose a species that does well in our North Carolina climate and in the soil, light, and space at the site where it will be planted. Visit the North Carolina State Cooperative Extension tree page to learn more about the best trees for this area.
2. Take out the stakes quickly. When a tree is left to sway in the wind, its trunk gets stronger. If a new tree can't stand on its own, you can support the trunk with two stakes, one on each side of the root ball, and a loose, flexible tie in the middle. Take out the stakes when the tree can stand on its own, which should be after a year.
3. Stay away from the grass. Grass that grows up against the tree trunk competes with the tree for air, water, and nutrients (and usually wins the competition). Grass that grows right up against the trunks of trees, especially young ones, can slow their growth. For the best results, keep a mulched area around the trunk without grass.
4. Take care of water. Young trees need to be watered often, but even older trees need to be watered when there is a drought. Deeply water to soak the roots (2–3 feet deep for mature trees) all the way to the edge of the drip line (an imaginary line from the outside of the tree canopy down to soil level). Let the soil dry out a little bit before you water it again. Don't expect sprinklers to do the work for you. They rarely get wet enough, which can cause trees to have shallow roots. Instead, you should use soil basins or drip irrigation.
5. Apply fertiliser as needed. Don't think that trees need to be fed every year. Young trees might need some fertiliser once in a while until they get established, but most mature trees don't need any food at all. Don't feed trees unless they aren't growing well or their leaves are turning yellow. A soil test will show what nutrients are needed.
6. Mulch. Put 2-3 inches of organic mulch under the tree's canopy. This could be pine straw or compost. Mulch keeps the soil cool, keeps water in, improves the soil's texture, and cuts down on weeds. Fill up often.
7. Know how to prune. By making thinning cuts (removing whole limbs at their base) instead of heading cuts, you can improve the structure and strength of your trees (cutting along the length of a branch or hat-racking). Talk to a certified arborist about large trees.
8. Take care of the roots. The roots of trees should never be driven over by cars or heavy machinery. Roots can die when the oxygen in the soil is cut down by compacting the soil. You also shouldn't move or add soil under the canopy of a tree without first talking to a certified arborist. Changing grades can also hurt tree roots and make trees weaker, which can kill them or make them more likely to be damaged by storms.
9. Take care of the trunk. They were running into trees with lawnmowers or whipping the trunks with weed-eaters, which hurts the bark and trunk and opens the tree up to bugs and diseases. Young trees are especially vulnerable, but you can protect them with plastic wraps that you can buy at nurseries and garden centres. Even better, keep a 2- to 3-foot-wide ring of mulch and no grass around the tree.
10. Control pests. Insects like Japanese beetles, adelgids, and caterpillars can do a lot of damage to trees or make them weak. To learn more about tree pests and how to get rid of them, visit
Tips To Protect Your Trees This Summer
Trees are a terrific addition to any garden. They give new components to draw the eye, a source of shade, and a simple barrier to block out some noise. However, it’s vital you care for your trees appropriately. Fruit tree care in summer is particularly vital if you want to enjoy their yield. Hot, dry summers can have an impact on your trees, especially when they’re young and growing.
At times like this, human assistance is important to helping your trees grow up healthy. Here’s a list of care methods you can use to preserve your trees and keep them out of harm’s way this summer:
Apply A Fresh Layer Of Mulch
The use of mulch offers trees some much-needed assistance, particularly in the region around the root zone. It is an excellent method for preventing the roots from becoming dry and protecting them from the heat. Young trees can benefit from having mulch applied in the correct manner in order to increase the amount of water they absorb and to establish robust root systems.
When it comes to the application of mulch, less is more. Put down exactly the right amount of mulch so that you won't be encouraging the growth of unwanted organisms like insects and bacteria. It should be sufficient to apply a single layer that is between 5 and 10 centimetres thick. It is important to keep in mind that there should be enough room between the mulch and the trunk of the tree. To prevent diseases and pests from attacking the tree, arrange the mulch in the shape of a doughnut and place it around its base.
Watch Out For Signs Of Heat Stress.
The maintenance of a healthy tree throughout the summer should include providing adequate cooling and shading. If you want to keep your young trees from becoming stressed from the heat, make sure to provide them with lots of shade. On days that are exceptionally hot, keep a close watch out for signs of heat stress.
Typical symptoms include drooping leaves, withering leaves, and a yellowing of the leaf surface. In the event that your tree experiences heat stress, make sure to provide it with a enough amount of water so that it can recuperate. Recalling these symptoms on days when the temperature is high will make it simpler to identify heat exhaustion in the years to come. Keeping in mind the telltale signs enables you to take preventative measures when caring for trees.
Make Sure The Roots And Trunk Are Safe.
The roots of a tree are one of the most important elements of the tree, and taking care of them is essential to maintaining the tree's overall health. Your trees might be subjected to more foot traffic now that you have more time on your hands since you leave the house more frequently to catch some fresh air. Putting down some mulch around a tree can act as a makeshift barrier preventing people getting too close to it.
If the tree is located close to a path that sees a lot of foot traffic, you should spend your money on a more robust barrier. It is even more crucial to have a barrier if the tree is still young since it will protect it from being damaged by animals as it matures. You can also plant some surrounding shrubs to ensure that people stay a safe distance away from the tree. This can be done by planting some shrubs nearby. You may also employ those plants to assist keep your home secure and discourage any potential intruders who might try to enter it.
Water The Tree Consistently.
During the warm summer months, learning the appropriate way to water your trees need to be your top focus. When you water your trees, direct your attention on the root zone to ensure that they receive the greatest possible amount of water at each session.
Instead of watering the trees on a more consistent basis, it is best to water the trees more deeply and less frequently. Concentrate on providing deep irrigation by watering each time in a more thorough manner. This enables water to penetrate further into the earth, which supports deeper root growth in plants. If you want even greater results, you can think about watering your plants first thing in the morning. Getting an early start reduces the amount of water that is lost to evaporation and provides the tree with additional support when the temperature rises during the day.
Fertilise Properly
The application of fertiliser is essential if you want your tree to continue to be robust and healthy. The soil receives additional nutrients through the application of fertiliser; hence, the tree's overall health improves along with the soil's. Adding more nutrients to the soil is essential for a tree's development of leaf and shoot systems that are healthy. Providing the tree with additional nutrients is also essential if you want to enhance its defences against infection and pests.
When deciding on the best kind of fertiliser to use, there are many different aspects to take into account, in especially for trees that were grown for their usefulness (like fruit trees). Consider the quality of your produce to ensure that it is both nutritious and appetising in the end product. The requirements for fertilisation are typically higher for trees that are grown in high-stress conditions such as urban settings. If you want to locate fertilising procedures that are effective for your summer fruit tree care routine, you should seek the advice of a qualified arborist.
Take Good Care Of The Soil
Examining the soil that your tree is rooted in is the last step in taking care of it and should be done regularly. When the soil is in an excessively compact state, it becomes impossible for the tree to obtain the necessary amounts of water and nutrients.
Aerating the soil will fix the issue by increasing the amount of air and water that can reach the plant's roots. To begin, wet the soil in the surrounding area so that it may be worked more easily. The following step is to make a series of holes in the ground approximately 5 centimetres apart using a soil auger or a drill. You should begin approximately one metre away and go back approximately every half metre until you reach the canopy. Each hole should have a diameter of approximately 5 centimetres and a depth of between 25 and 50 centimetres. First, gently fill each hole with topsoil, and then finish by covering the soil with mulch.
Inspect For Pests Regularly.
Before taking a closer look, it's impossible to know whether or not a tree is actually healthy and robust, despite appearances to the contrary. Because the warm weather of summer provides ideal conditions for the growth of pests, it is essential to maintain a state of constant alertness in order to keep one step ahead of any infestation. Perform checks on the tree at regular intervals, roughly once per week, in order to get a sense of the issues it is experiencing.
Be on the lookout for branches that have died, holes that have been bored cleanly through them, and any sap that may be trickling. These characteristics are frequently indications of larval infestations, which can interfere with the tree's ability to take in water. In order to give yourself some early warning of an infestation, being proactive is a fantastic way to offer yourself some early warning, so make inspections part of your normal tree care routine. While you're at it, it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye out for any other trees you might find in the neighbourhood. The timely identification of local pests is essential to the prevention of localised infestations. Maintain vigilance to safeguard the trees in your community and stop the spread of any invasive pests.
Refrain From Pruning
It is often important to prune the tree in order to keep its health and look in good standing. Nevertheless, unless you are removing branches that are sick or damaged, it is best to refrain from pruning during the summer months. In situations like these, prompt removal helps limit any harm that may have occurred and prevents the disease from spreading to other areas of the tree.
The health of a tree can be improved through proper trimming by increasing the amount of air circulation and decreasing the amount of water that the tree takes in. On the other hand, in order to prevent placing an excessive amount of strain on the tree and jeopardising its stability, pruning is often an operation that is best left to the professionals. Consult an arborist if you want to ensure that the pruning you conduct is effective, carried out at the appropriate times, and done so for the appropriate reasons.
Consider Cabling For Safety
Storms throughout the summer might create an unexpected challenge for your trees, despite the fact that July is typically recognised for its high temperatures. Severe storms have the potential to rip loose or dead branches free of their attachments, making them a danger to the area around a tree. Consult with an arborist to get an idea of the appropriate course of action to take in order to provide additional protection for your yard.
It's possible that a qualified arborist will advise taking the dead branches off the tree or putting cables in places that are vulnerable to potential damage on the tree. Tree cabling not only makes the yard a little safer, but it may also assist cut down on the amount of twigs and leaves that fall off of the trees during the summer.
The leaves of some trees, such as maples, willows, birches, and cedars, fall off more frequently than others. The use of cabling is an efficient way to reduce the amount of mess that occurs in the yard. Cabling your Christmas tree in the summer is an efficient technique of Christmas tree care that will keep your tree secure until the holiday season, which is important to bear in mind if your family wants to use all-natural Christmas trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many common tree diseases can be prevented using proper planting and cultural care techniques. For example, when planting a new tree, choose a species that is well-suited to your climate and soil type. In addition, avoid damaging the roots when digging the hole, and water the tree regularly during its first growing season.
Once the tree is established, please continue to monitor it for signs of disease. Finally, contact a certified arborist or tree care professional for assistance if you notice any concerning symptoms, such as unusual leaf discolouration or dieback. Taking these preventative measures can help ensure that your trees stay healthy and disease-free for years to come.
Trees are some of the hardiest plants in the world, able to survive for centuries with very little care. Many trees benefit from a hands-off approach, as human activities often do more harm than good.
For example, over-watering and over-fertilizing can damage tree roots, while pruning can stimulate new growth vulnerable to pests and disease. Instead of trying to control nature, it is often better to let trees do their thing.
This means allowing them space to grow without interference and going through their natural cycles of dormancy and growth. By understanding how trees naturally function, we can help them thrive without needing constant care.
Around trees, the soil is often the most overlooked but important component in the landscape. It provides essential support for tree roots and helps regulate moisture levels and drainage. Soil also helps to protect tree roots from temperature extremes and provides nutrients for healthy growth.
In addition, a layer of mulch can help to protect tree roots from damage by lawn mowers and other garden equipment. By taking care of the soil around your trees, you can help them to stay healthy and be best able to withstand environmental stressors.
There are a number of ways to treat tree diseases, depending on the type of disease and the severity of the infection. One common fungal disease treatment is applying a fungicide to the affected area. This can help to kill the fungus and prevent it from spreading.
Bacterial diseases are often treated with antibiotics, which can help to kill the bacteria and stop the infection from spreading. In some cases, physical removal of the affected tissue may be necessary. This is typically done for viral infections, as viruses are not cured. Once the infected tissue has been removed, the tree can be treated with an antiviral agent to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Soil is necessary for plant growth as it provides support, regulates moisture, and contains nutrients. The organic matter in soil stores nutrients and helps regulate moisture levels by absorbing water and releasing it slowly. This is essential for plant growth as too much or too little water can damage plants.
Soil also supports plant roots and helps anchor them in place. This is important because roots need to be able to penetrate the soil to access water and nutrients. Additionally, soil helps to moderate temperature changes, insulating roots from extreme heat or cold. Without healthy soil, plants would not be able to grow and thrive.