SAve, BEautify and Love Your Trees: Tree CAre Tips

Many individual tree owners are usually eager to transplant young trees from the nursery into their yard but know little as regards proper tree care. Sufficient knowledge of tree care helps tree owners become familiar with what needs to be done to keep their trees healthy. 

If you are planning to move young trees to your newly-acquired residential property, here are a few useful tips on how to take proper care of your trees.

Weed and mulch

Nothing should be allowed to grow very close to the ground on which young trees are. Pluck out weeds and grass growing near your young trees, as they will compete with the trees for soil nutrients, water, and supplemental fertilisers. Instead, use mulch (sawdust, wood chips, leaf mould, etc.) to help the bare soil retain water for longer.

There is not a single mulch material that is perfect for your trees, but having knowledge of the characteristics of various materials available can help you decide on the best mulch for your project location.

Pruning

Prune your young trees to change their structure and shape so that they can develop desirably. Trees that are correctly pruned while still young will need less drastic pruning as the years pass by.

To perform the job correctly, make sure you have the right tools, which may include hand pruners, pruning saws, and lopping shears. It is also vital that you know how to make the right cut, because improper cuts like those made between branches may lead to misdirected growth or irreversible internal rot of the stem.

To avoid compromising wound dressing and causing damage to the trunk, do not make pruning cuts that remove the branch collar. Instead, locate the cuts just outside the collar.

Staking

Staking is normally done to support a young tree until its anchor roots and trunk grow. If a stake is not properly secured and becomes loose, the tree may be broken or blown down by strong wind. This will stop the roots and trunk from developing and in turn kill the tree.

Tree ties can be used to secure your trees to stakes. The stakes should only be removed when the trunk and roots of your trees have developed well enough to withstand windstorms.

You do not have to take care of your young trees by yourself. You just need to be aware when something needs to be done and ask a tree care expert, such as those at Tree Consultants, to do it for you.