Did you know that trees, hedges, flower beds, and ornamentals make up 18 percent of a typical lawn in the U.S.? While it may not seem like much, even a few large trees or hedges can have a large visual impact on a lawn.
That’s why it’s so important to learn about tree and yard care. After all, trees are often the first thing our eyes look at in a landscape.
But without a horticulture background, can you really manage lawn maintenance and tree care on your own?
We’re here to fill you in. Keep reading below to learn five important tree care tips that every homeowner should know.
1. Test Your Soil
If your trees aren’t flourishing, don’t waste time trying to guess what the problem is. Instead, test your soil to learn more about the environment your trees are living in.
The pH levels and minerals available can have a large effect on the growth of your trees. You can actually test your soil with a DIY kit from a gardening or home improvement store. However, professional soil testing will likely give you a more accurate reading.
2. Maintain a Consistent Pruning Schedule
Pruning is an essential part of tree care. Much like a haircut, pruning and trimming shed your tree of dead branches and stimulates growth.
Be mindful of how often you prune though—your trees need time to recover after pruning, so over-pruning can take a toll on them. A professional team can help you build a pruning services schedule.
3. Understand What Your Tree Needs
Every tree requires different levels of sun, watering, feeding, etc. For example, young trees benefit much more from fertilizer than older trees.
The more you know about the species of your trees, the better equipped you’ll be to care for them. It’s also useful in helping you landscape, as you’ll be more aware of where your trees will get adequate sun and where they might struggle.
4. Be Mindful of Pests and Diseases
Unlike people, trees can’t tell us when they’re feeling unwell. It’s up to you to keep an eye on your tree and keep track of any unusual activity.
It’s a good idea to get familiar with the pests that populate your area. Pests can affect both your trees and other plant life, so you’ll want to prevent infestations if possible. Keep in mind that pest-control chemicals can often harm good wildlife, so consider using a natural pest repellent instead.
Brush up on diseases that can affect your trees as well. If you’re struggling to identify what’s wrong with your tree, a professional arborist can likely assess the situation and provide a treatment plan.
5. Remove Dead Trees and Stumps
Not all trees can bounce back from a disease or pest invasion. In this case, it’s best to remove it from your property and make room for new plants.
Many people enjoy the aesthetic of tree stumps, but it’s best to remove them as well. They often attract insects and pests, and they also get in the way of lawn maintenance.
Understand the Importance of Tree Care
No matter how resilient a tree may seem, it needs just as much care as your most delicate plants. With the tree care tips above, you can keep your trees healthy and maintain the quality of your home’s landscape for years to come!
Need some extra help with tree or lawn maintenance? Here at Maldonado Brothers, we’re committed to helping you by offerings tree removal services, general tree maintenance, arborist consultations, and more. Contact us to get started today!
