The trees in your yard need proper care to thrive and look their best. Trees can be beneficial to any yard. Not only do they help the environment, they also improve the value of your home and cut utility costs. With a healthy tree you can have endless benefits, but an unhealthy tree can cost you money and a curb appeal. See these seven tree maintenance tips to help keep a beautiful tree.
1. Regular Tree Maintenance
Regular tree maintenance can mean several things. From tree trimming to regular watering, entrusting your trees with a pro can ensure a long healthier life for them. It also has the benefit of taking the landscaping project off of your plate. The average cost of tree maintenance is $425, with most homeowners spending between $240-$470.
2. Tree Trimming
Much like we all need a haircut every few weeks, trees need to be trimmed to maintain their beautiful appearance. Tree trimming is a task you can do yourself, or with the assistance of a pro. It is important to tree trim because you need to remove the dead leaves and branches so that new ones can grow. You may also want to trim your tree when you notice it getting to close to the house. High winds, storms, and loose branches can cause serious damage to your house, if not properly taken care of.
3. Soil Testing
If you see your trees getting a little dry or brittle, soil may be culprit. This is important especially if you just planted the tree or if the tree is seeding. Soil testing can help you determine your pH level and the amount of minerals in your soil, and how you can improve them to see your trees truly thrive. The average amount of soil test is $1,142, with homeowners spending about $947- $1,515.
4. Watering
For new trees, watering is very important. The golden rule is 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk's diameter. This will help it grow and not dry out. As the roots get deeper and the tree gets larger, the tree is able to consume more water. A large tree can consume up to 100 gallons of water through its deeps roots in a day. While older and larger trees need less maintenance, the newer or replanted trees need more water to stay healthy.
5. Mulch
More than just decoration to your yard, mulch provides many benefits to your trees. According to The National Arbor Day Foundation, it helps insulate the ground around the trees from the drastic temperature change and retains water. This can be specifically helpful for the replanted trees. The amount of mulch you will need depends on the size of the plant. Most tree bases need between 3' to 10' of mulch around the tree. The average amount of mulch ranges from $200-$2,000. This depends on the area and how many trees you plan on mulching.
6. Watch For Diseases & Pests
Even with plenty of care, there are two enemies of a healthy tree. Pests and diseases could ruin many efforts. To prevent this, carefully watch your tree for signs of abnormal changes such as spots on leaves, fungi, or changes in plant structure. Any of these could mean that your tree is being impacted by pests and/or diseases.
Tree Pest Removal
When it comes to pest control for your tree, there can be many critters that can infest your tree, causing damage to it and to trees around it. There are many insect control formulas available if you find an infestation. However, if you feel like you need a stronger solution, contact a landscaping pro to better assist you and treat it properly.
Tree Disease Treatment
Rot and Fungi are the most common diseases in trees. Fungi is most commonly the first sign of tree decay and rot and should be treated immediately. Similar to pests, there are many fungicides at your local home and garden store that can eliminate the fungus and stop the growth.
If the tree disease becomes more of a problem, the best thing to do is remove the tree. A tree that has rot can become a safety hazard at your home. The average cost to remove a tree is $630 with a homeowner spending about $419-$697.
7. Prepare your tree for winter
At the end of the season, before the first frost, you'll want to prepare your tree for winter. For smaller trees, transplants and fruit trees, you'll want to protect them from harsh cold. The best way to protect your tree is by covering it with a sheet or tarp to protect it from the frost. You will also need to fertilize around the tree so that it does not lose the nutrients it needs.
For any tree, be sure to prune the branches one last time so they are able to grow even more in the spring when the weather returns.
Conclusion
Trees are beautiful to any yard. When taken care of properly, your tree can have along lifespan that many others can enjoy for years to come. Tree maintenance is just one factor to keeping a great looking yard.