The Importance of Tree Maintenance

Trees enhance the beauty of your property and add value to your home. Properly inspected, maintained and pruned trees reduce the risk of damage or fall hazards during weather events and help your trees live longer, healthier lives. But it’s not always easy to know when a tree needs attention. That’s why it is important to have your trees inspected and monitored by a qualified professional on a regular basis. Identifying problems early can prevent costly and dangerous issues in the future.

In general, most tree maintenance is focused on pruning and soil treatment to ensure optimal health of a tree. Pruning includes both dead pruning and crown thinning which can improve the overall health of a tree by reducing limbs that are dying or in need of removal, as well as opening up airflow throughout a canopy and maintaining proper balance to a tree’s natural shape. Having these procedures performed properly requires extensive training and knowledge of horticulture.

Other forms of tree maintenance include nutrient management, irrigation, root and soil treatments, and more. Tree nutrient management involves monitoring a soil sample to ensure the correct balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (the three major plant nutrients in fertilizers) in the soil around a given tree. Using too much or too little of these nutrients can be harmful and a nutrient imbalance may result in a decline of a tree’s health, vigor and vitality.

Irrigation is important for all landscaping, especially with young plantings. A professional will recommend an appropriate watering schedule for your trees to avoid overwatering or underwatering, which can cause problems like root rot and drought stress. It is also a good idea to give your plants and trees a deep watering before winter begins, as this will insulate the roots for the colder temperatures and reduce the chances of frost damage.

Tree root systems can be easily impacted by construction activities in the surrounding area. Heavy equipment and work activity in or near a tree’s critical root zone can lead to soil compaction, restricting the availability of oxygen, water and nutrients for the roots.

When it comes to invasive species, regularly inspecting your trees for signs of new growth from unwelcome guests can help keep pests at bay and prevent them from entering the home or yard. Also, removing invasive species on a regular basis helps to keep them from spreading and becoming problematic elsewhere. Additionally, giving your trees a fresh layer of mulch in the fall and avoiding de-icing products that contain rock salt can also reduce the likelihood of tree girdling injury.

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