Professionals who specialize in tree care are qualified to provide a variety of services. They use safe equipment and observe pruning standards. Contact Hummingbird Tree Care LLC for professional help.
Correct pruning boosts flower production and optimizes fruit yields. It also helps prevent disease, pest infestation and falling hazards.
Invasive plants, like English ivy, need to be removed to protect trees. Mulching provides nutrients and promotes soil health.
Whether your trees are part of the natural landscape of your home or a focal point in your garden, pruning is an essential aspect of tree care. Proper pruning can promote health, beauty, and safety. However, it is a delicate process that requires knowledge, experience, and skill. It is important to seek the help of a professional to prune your trees and shrubs correctly.
Pruning involves the selective removal of plant parts, including branches, buds, stems, leaves, roots, flowers, and fruit. This is done for a variety of reasons, such as deadwood removal, improving or sustaining the appearance, managing growth, increasing flower and fruit production, removing diseased or insect-infested wood, reducing the risk from falling limbs, preparing nursery specimens for transplanting, and shaping plants into ornamental forms (such as hedges, espaliers, topiaries).
Proper pruning helps maintain the safety of nearby people and structures. It reduces the risk of weakened limbs and branches falling, which can be a major hazard to pedestrians and vehicles. It also reduces the occurrence of leaf disease by promoting airflow through the canopy and removing excess moisture. It can even improve the visibility of street signs by eliminating obstructed views caused by overgrowth.
Improper pruning can have serious consequences for the vigor and health of your trees. The stresses induced by improper pruning can leave your plants more vulnerable to environmental stressors and pests, as well as make them more susceptible to disease and fungus. Some of the most common problems resulting from improper pruning include stunted growth, reduced foliage, and nutrient deficiencies.
It is recommended that you have your trees and shrubs pruned at the beginning of the growing season to promote healthy growth. This allows the wounds to heal during the dormant period, reducing the chances of infection and limiting the amount of sap flow from the pruned limbs. Some conifers can be trimmed at other times of the year, but it is best to avoid pruning them in the summer, as this may lead to slowed or delayed growth and may expose the plant to sunburn and insect damage.
Watering
Water is the most essential element of tree growth and health. It is used by trees, along with sunlight and carbon dioxide, to turn simple carbohydrates into complex sugars that are the building blocks of plant tissue and cells. The amount of water a tree absorbs depends on many factors, including the weather and the type of soil the roots are growing in.
Trees often go long periods of time without sufficient water which can stunt their growth or even kill them. In addition, watering can be done incorrectly which can also cause harm to a newly planted or established tree.
The right way to water a tree is to thoroughly soak the soil, ideally to a depth of 12 inches or more. This is called deep root watering. In general, new plants or those in hard to water soil should be watered this way several times per week during the growing season. Older plants may require less frequent watering.
It is important to water in the correct location as well. Watering just the surface of the ground is ineffective and can actually harm the tree by promoting rot. When watering a tree, it is best to apply it around the entire root zone which extends outward at least equal to the height of the trunk. This can be done by running a hose at a slow trickle around the base of the tree, using a drip irrigation system or by placing a soaker hose in the soil.
There are a few common signs that trees will display when they need additional water. These include leaves and needles that wilt, droop, or turn yellow or brown. If a tree is showing these symptoms, it should be watered as soon as possible to avoid stress and damage.
Invasive plants can be another reason a tree needs additional water. Besides having an adverse effect on the overall health of a tree, these species can also interfere with its ability to absorb nutrients from the soil by limiting the amount of water it is able to take up through its roots.
Mulching
Mulching is a vital aspect of tree care that nurtures their well-being and longevity. It helps to control weeds, promote soil health and moisture retention, regulate soil temperature, enrich the soil and prevent washouts. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand the importance of mulching or how to do it properly. The wrong kind of mulch can harm the roots and even kill the tree.
When you walk through a forest, the ground is covered with a layer of organic material—twigs, leaves, rotten wood, compost and more—that shade the soil and add nutrients as it decomposes. The same is true for a good mulch bed around newly planted trees. A good layer of organic mulch not only looks good, but it also protects the young roots from the heat of the sun and cold wind, keeps weeds out, adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, reduces soil compaction, and provides a barrier between the tree trunk and lawn equipment such as mowers and weed whackers that can damage or tear the bark.
A layer of organic material should extend out three feet in all directions from a tree’s trunk base, and be no deeper than 4 to 6 inches. It can be any organic material, such as shredded wood chips or branches, pine needles, compost, grass clippings, straw, or even fallen leaves. Avoid using hardwoods such as ash, maple or oak, which can contain high levels of tannic acid and may contaminate the soil.
Plastic sheet “mulches” should never be used; though they keep weeds out for a while, they ultimately kill the roots by keeping oxygen and water from getting into the soil. Lava rock, marble chips, gravel and other hard, non-organic materials should also be avoided.
Dyed mulches are an option, but only if the dye is derived from a natural source like plant material or animal manure. Chemical-based dyes leach into the groundwater and can be toxic to plants. A mulch should never be piled up against the trunk of a young tree, however, as this can cause root rot and provide an environment for disease and insects that can damage the bark.
Inspecting
Trees are a valuable asset to any property, providing beauty and environmental benefits. But they can quickly shift from an asset to a liability when the branches, trunks and roots become damaged and pose a threat to people or structures. This is why regular inspections are so important for ensuring the safety and health of your trees.
During an on-site inspection, an arborist will closely examine the condition of the bark, trunk, branches, leaves and root system to assess whether it is thriving or in need of additional care. They’ll also look for signs of diseases, pest infestations and other environmental stressors that could be affecting the overall landscape health.
Examine the Branching Structure: The arborist will examine the balance and spacing of limbs, looking for dead or dying branches that can pose safety risks. They’ll also take note of any limbs that rub against or cross over each other, which can cause damage and create entry points for disease.
Inspect the Trunk: The arborist will carefully look for cracks and fungus growth on the trunk that may indicate structural issues. They’ll also look for the root flare, a visible area where the trunk transitions into the roots, and check for roots that have girdled the base of the trunk (a sign of poor soil health).
Examine Leaves and Foliage: The arborist will check the color, size and density of the foliage to ensure they are healthy. Any unusual discoloration or signs of wilting or leaf drop can indicate an issue. They’ll also look for any signs of pest infestations, such as chewed leaves and webbing.
Each property has its own unique conditions and requirements, which is why regular tree inspections are so essential. By identifying and addressing health issues early on, property owners can preserve the longevity of their valuable assets, protect their investments, and keep their landscapes safe for years to come. To schedule your next tree inspection, contact the professional team at Tree Solutions of Texas today! Our experienced arborists are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.