What Is Tree Care and Why Is It Necessary?
Tree Care includes all services that help keep trees healthy. This includes fertilization, trimming, and pest control. Specialized services such as lightning protection and emergency removal may also be necessary.
Trimming and pruning are essential to a tree’s health and appearance. Trimming occurs during the growing season and promotes growth, while pruning improves structure and safety. Contact Higuera Tree Care now!
In order for your trees to grow well they need healthy soil. Soil management is the process of providing your plants with essential soil nutrients that they can’t get from their roots. These nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
The ideal soil for trees is a balanced mixture of sand, silt, clay and organic material. Unfortunately, most urban and suburban landscapes have degraded soils that are compacted, lack the right amount of moisture and don’t supply adequate nutrients. Trees planted in these conditions suffer from root rot, disease, insect infestations and other problems.
Soil health depends on the microorganisms that live in it. These organisms break down organic material in the soil, releasing nutrients. In addition, they provide a natural source of water and oxygen to the roots of the plant. Keeping these organisms in the soil is vital to preserving the quality of your soil.
The best way to keep your soil healthy is through regular additions of organic matter. Adding compost, mulch and other organic matter helps improve soil structure, allowing for better water penetration. This also promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms and allows your trees to absorb the nutrients they need.
Managing your soil through different seasons is important to your tree’s health. In the spring, aerating the soil will loosen up the hard compacted areas and allow the roots to grow. During the summer, regular watering and the use of mulch will help to retain the moisture in the soil and prevent excessive heat. In the fall, slow-release fertilizer and a layer of mulch will continue to help the soil hold onto its nutrients and moisture.
For more complex issues like nutrient deficiencies, soil compaction or pH balance, RTEC Treecare offers a variety of specialized soil services to address these concerns. These may include root and soil treatments, trenching and non-damaging procedures to install irrigation or diagnose root system problems. We also offer soil aeration, vertical mulching and air spade treatments to improve compacted soil and enhance the root zone. These methods will help your trees grow taller and healthier.
Pruning
Pruning is a vital preventative tree care technique that helps maintain tree health and beauty. Pruning can be used to remove dead or damaged branches, control growth and manage aesthetics in residential, commercial and public landscapes. Unlike trimming, pruning involves selective removal of specific branches to improve a tree’s overall form and structure.
The amount and type of pruning needed depends on why it is being done, the type of tree or shrub, its age and location. Proper pruning reduces the risk of damage to property and people, increases air circulation, enhances light penetration, improves fruit quality and promotes plant health.
Pruned plants heal more quickly than unpruned plants. This is because the wounds from pruning are smaller and the cambium layer is less exposed. The smaller the wound, the quicker the tree can close and seal it.
For many ornamental shade and fruit trees, pruning is recommended every two or three years. Evergreens may require pruning more frequently depending on the species and site conditions.
The frequency of pruning depends on the desired outcome, whether it is to manage growth or increase blooming. Spring flowering shrubs such as azalea, lilac, rhododendron and mountain laurel should be pruned after they finish blooming to encourage new growth for the next season. These plants bloom on the wood produced during the previous growing season and can be harmed by pruning too early.
If a tree or shrub is near power lines, it is often necessary to prune it yearly to keep the branches from contacting them. Branches that are touching or hanging over power lines can be a safety hazard for both the person doing the pruning and passers-by. Having the proper training and knowledge is crucial for safely pruning these types of trees.
Some examples of pruning are crown lifting (to a specified height) and thinning out. Crown thinning is a process of removing some of the lower branches of a tree to open up the canopy and allow sunlight to reach the ground. This is done for privacy, improving view quality and to make the plant more functional. When thinning a tree, the cuts should be made just beyond the branch collar and the branch bark ridge. This protects the wound from disease and insect entry.
Irrigation
Irrigation is crucial for establishing and maintaining healthy trees. Proper watering practices and recognizing early signs of water stress can prevent severe damage, or even tree loss.
Research clearly shows that newly planted trees establish more quickly with frequent irrigation. However, excessive watering can suffocate roots and encourage root rot pathogens.
When watering, apply a slow dribble to the soil within the root zone and extend to the dripline (the area under the edge of the canopy). Avoid splashing or ponding water, which can cause runoff, reduce available oxygen in the soil, and promote fungus growth.
For new plantings, irrigate one to three times per week during the first summer after transplanting in warm climates and every other day in cool climates. For established trees, set a timer or landscape irrigation controller to provide the tree with a separate watering cycle that is different from the lawn schedule. This will ensure that the specific needs of the tree are met and discourage water-wasting habits among the rest of the landscape plants.
Consider collecting rainwater for supplemental irrigation during dry periods. Also, look for opportunities to utilize graywater from your household sources (such as dishwashing or laundry) for irrigation purposes, if allowed by local regulations and guidelines. Grouping trees with similar water requirements together can help to streamline your watering efforts.
Consult with a Certified Arborist for location-specific tips on optimum watering techniques and an irrigation system that meets the specific needs of your landscape and specific species. These professionals can also offer disease, pest management, and pruning advice that will support the long-term health of your landscape.
Larger trees should be irrigated using micro-sprinklers or bubblers, which distribute larger volumes of water to more of the root zone. A good way to test the soil moisture is to squeeze a handful of soil. If the soil feels dry to the touch, it is time to irrigate. If the soil feels soaked, it is ok to skip a watering.
Disease and Pest Control
Keeping your trees healthy and pest-free is an important part of tree care. Well-maintained trees can enhance property values, improve air quality and provide beauty to your landscape. They can also reduce the risk of accidents, such as branches falling on homes or cars. Comprehensive tree maintenance includes routine trimming, fertilization and disease management.
Trees are prone to many diseases caused by living organisms, like fungi, bacteria and viruses. These biotic diseases can be recognized by wilted or discolored leaves and other symptoms. Other types of damage are caused by non-living organisms, such as herbicides, pollution, road salt and nutrient imbalance.
Some disease problems are more serious than others, and may require specialized treatments or pruning. A regular inspection by an arborist can identify potential issues and help you decide if treatment is needed.
Regular fertilization of your trees can promote healthy growth and increase disease resistance. It also helps to maintain soil moisture levels, which is especially important in urban settings where there are often less-than-ideal conditions for tree health.
Fertilization can also help to reduce the likelihood of insect infestations. The best way to control insects, however, is through prevention. Regular monitoring of your trees will allow for early detection of pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
Invasive species can interfere with a tree’s ability to grow and thrive, so their removal is an important part of maintaining the health of your trees. This can include weeds, grasses and other plants that aren’t native to the area.
A girdling root occurs when the roots of a tree begin to wrap around the base and trunk of the tree, compressing it and causing structural problems. Girdling root issues can lead to leaning or even failure of a tree, so it is important to inspect and monitor your trees regularly for signs of this issue. If caught early, girdling root issues can be corrected by cutting the offending roots.