For most people, summer is the perfect season to get away, get outside and have some fun. But have you thought about your trees? Making sure your trees are well cared for throughout the hot summer months will result in a happy, healthy landscape. Whether it’s pruning, pest inspection, watering or preventative storm damage, summer is the perfect time to follow these preventative tree care tips:
Mulching
If you didn’t get around to mulching your trees this spring, it’s not too late. Adding mulch as a preventative measure will help cut down on weeds while stabilizing soil temperatures and conserving moisture. When adding mulch it’s important to add 3 – 4 inches around the base of a tree. However, it’s important not to heap to mulch around the trunk as this can promote disease and insect issues.
Watering
It’s important to make sure your trees get plenty of water throughout the hot summer months. For younger trees, our certified arborist recommends a deep-watering by running a garden hose over the root zone for approximately 30 seconds. Older, more mature trees, on the other hand, should be watered at least once a week or every other week. A good rule of thumb is to provide an older tree with around 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter.
Fertilizing
Another preventative tree care step for summer is to make sure your trees have ample nutrition to support leaf and shoot growth while fending off pests and diseases. Keep in mind that trees growing in urban or suburban environments often have greater fertilization needs than trees growing in natural environments. Make sure to consult with a certified arborist or local nursery for important fertilizing guidelines that take into consideration your specific region, and tree species.
Pruning
Pruning is an important preventative tree care measure that will ensure the health of your trees. However, it should never be handled as a DIY job. Improper pruning is a common mistake that often leaves trees permanently damaged, susceptible to disease, storm damage or even death. That’s why it’s important to hire a certified arborist who is trained in all aspects of arboriculture and preventative tree care techniques. They will take the time to assess the health and stability of a tree based on its type, size, location and overall appearance.
Pest Inspections
Preventative tree care includes inspecting your trees for pest infestations throughout the summer months. While most bugs are not harmful to trees, it’s important to control any potential pest problems. Harmful pests include: magnolia scale, bagworms, Japanese beetles, aphids, spider mites and the emerald ash borer. These pests and more can be easily identified with the help of certified arborist.
Storm Damage Prevention
Summer can bring with it heavy winds and unpredictable thunderstorms. To protect your home and property from falling tree limbs it’s important to consult with a certified arborist to assess the safety of your trees. Removing weak limbs along with cabling or bracing can help prevent against potential storm damage while keeping you and your property safe from summer storms.
Preventative Tree Care
It’s important to remember that the cost of preventative tree care will greatly outweigh the cost of property damage or removing a dead tree. That’s why it’s important to follow the above guidelines when it comes to caring for your trees during the hot summer months ahead. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a preventative tree care assessment, contact our certified arborist today at 1.800.767.8733. We will make sure to walk your property while listening to your concerns and suggestions before offering our recommendations.
