Trees are relatively low maintenance. Once they mature, they don’t need as much attention from you. Keeping them healthy involves knowing what to do and what not to do for them.
1. Prune Only as Needed
Mature trees need to be pruned from time to time to remove dead branches or any that rub up against one another or otherwise cause problems. However, pruning too often or taking too much off at a time can permanently damage trees. An arborist Cincinnati can determine whether your tree needs pruning and how much to remove.
2. Avoid Overwatering
When you first plant a tree, it requires frequent watering and fertilizing. However, once the tree is well-established, it is pretty efficient at taking care of those needs itself. Too much water can promote fungal growth and prevent tree roots from getting enough oxygen. That’s not to say that you should never water a mature tree but that you should do so judiciously.
3. Protect the Bark
If the bark of the tree is damaged, it can expose the vulnerable tissues underneath. Removing a ring of bark all around the tree will eventually kill it. Don’t tie anything, such as a dog chain or a bike lock, around the trunk of a tree. Be careful using power string trimmers and lawnmowers around the base of the trunk.
4. Apply Mulch
Mulch helps your tree to retain moisture without drowning it. It suppresses weed growth and forms a protective barrier between the trunk and the blades of lawn care equipment. When it decomposes, it adds nutrients to the soil. If your tree is in a woodland setting, you can skip this step as it is unnecessary, but otherwise, you should mulch the tree on an annual basis.
While established trees require some annual or seasonal maintenance, they do not need much in the way of day-to-day care. However, young trees need more attention.
