Trees are a remarkable aspect of nature that can add shade, beauty, serenity, and curb appeal to a residential or commercial property. Therefore, it’s essential to learn as much as possible about tree maintenance to ensure that they are healthy and thriving throughout all of the seasons. In the first few years of a tree’s life, the steps you take will contribute to its lifespan, shape, and strength. Following some helpful tips can help you promote tree health and growth. Here we explore some signs that indicate your tree is healthy and tips on how you can maintain their health, so your trees flourish.
Signs of a Healthy Tree
The Tree has One Leader
A tree having one leader is one of the top indicators that it is very healthy. A leader is a vertical branch coming off of the trunk, and in most instances, a healthy tree has only one of these. If a tree has more than one leader, the tree can potentially split open, which can result in diseases and other factors that can plummet its health.
Many Leaves
Another positive sign of good tree health includes an abundance of leaves. If you see thick leaves throughout the canopy, without patches missing, the tree is likely in good shape and thriving. Trees without many leaves may have a pest infestation, disease, or a lack of nutrients.
Strong Bark
The bark of a tree can detail its health. Healthy trees have thick bark throughout without any fungi, dead branches, or cracks.
Full Branches
Nature is resilient. However, branches that bend or snap easily can mean that the tree is not healthy or need pruning. A healthy tree has strong, robust branches. In some cases, healthy trees can have a few broken limbs, but if you see several of them, that is a sign of an issue. Without pruning, your tree can become infested with insects and diseases.
Healthy Leaves
One of the easiest ways to determine if your tree is healthy is by assessing the leaves. You can look at the color of the leaves and see if they correlate with the color they should be for that season.
Tree Care Tips
Plant the right tree in the right place
One of the first steps you can take to ensure that your trees are healthy is selecting a place where their species will thrive. A tree needs to have enough sunlight and abundant space for growth while avoiding power lines and underground utilities. To find the ideal place for your trees, you can consider the following:
- The purpose for planting the tree: Some people plant trees to increase privacy, improve aesthetics, energy reduction, and more.Determine what is most important to you, and that can help you decide where to place the trees.
- Planting site limitations: You need to understand the logistics of planting a tree on your property. Determine theamount of space you have and the height of the potential tree to ensure that it’s compatible with your property.
Properly water
An integral component of tree health is ensuring that your tree or trees get the proper amount of water they need to thrive. If it hasn’t rained for several weeks, that may be a sign to water your tree. Generally, mature trees need one inch of water a week, while newer trees require approximately 4 to 10 gallons each week over the first couple of months. When watering your trees, it’s essential to remember that you need to have the correct amount of water. If you don’t have enough water for the tree, that can lead to a lack of nutrients. However, overwatering is terrible as well. Below are a few guidelines that will help you to water your trees properly:
- When you plant a new tree, water it immediately after with a garden hose for about 30 seconds.
- During the first two years, a tree will have a challenging time in the case of heat and drought, so it’s essential to pay special attention during this time. It’s beneficial to provide consistent water and cover the soil with wood-chip mulch.
Mulch
Mulching is a large part of landscaping and earth health, as it helps prevent dry soil while protecting tree roots from any damage, including lawn mower cuts. Adding about 2-4 inches of mulch is recommended to offer the highest level of protection.
Fertilize
Fertilizer provides your trees with the essential nutrients to thrive and maintain health throughout the seasons. It’s helpful to utilize a slow-releasing fertilizer to consistently offer the soil healthy nutrients to promote the tree’s wellbeing.
Prune
Pruning involves removing any dead wood from a tree to enhance its structure and foundation. The best time to prune is when the tree is dormant and doesn’t have any leaves. Pruning allows the tree to have optimal health and improve its appearance.
Schedule regular assessments
One of the best steps to ensure your tree’s health is to schedule annual checkups. Doing this lets, you have the peace of mind from an experienced professional and catch any unhealthy signs early to plan a course of action.
Contact Homer Tree Service
Your trees’ health is essential, and when you need the assistance of a professional arborist, look to the team at Homer Tree Service. Homer Tree Care consists of a fully certified and highly experienced plant health care staff. Our courteous, experienced staff is dedicated to helping residential, municipal, and commercial clients identify, diagnose and treat tree diseases and pest infestation through state-of-the-art techniques. Our team offers a full range of tree and plant care services:
- Tree disease diagnosis and treatment
- Tree insect and pest infestation identification and treatment
- Proper nutrient feedings and protective spraying
- Complete consultations outlining every step of the process
With over 200 expert employees, three operating divisions, state-of-the-art equipment, and a longstanding reputation for getting the job done safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively, you can rely on Homer Tree staff for all of your tree care needs. Contact us today to learn more about our tree care services!