When homeowners take care of their landscaping, they often focus on the lawn and the garden beds. It's common for them to more-or-less ignore the trees, treating them like stationary objects that just happen to be there. But trees are alive, too. They're a living, breathing part of your landscape, and just like the lawn and flowers, they can benefit from some attention. That attention just needs to come in a different form, which is explained below.
Trimming
You may have heard that trees only need trimming when they are young. This is a big of an exaggeration. Yes, young trees need to be trimmed far more often, but mature trees need an occasional trim to stay healthy, too. Any dead or dying branches need to be removed so the tree does not waste resources on them. Branches that are showing any signs of insect infestation or fungal growth should also be removed before these conditions have a chance to spread. Since reaching the tall branches on a mature tree is quite a feat, this is best left to the professionals.
Fertilizing
Trees have roots that reach deep down in the soil, so they are able to reach nutrients that the more superficial plants can't reach. This means they can thrive for a long time without requiring fertilization. But eventually, the soil around a tree will become depleted of nutrients, so fertilizing the tree, even if just once a year, can help it thrive. Landscaping companies can use a special tool to inject the fertilizer deeper down beneath the surface of the soil so it does not all get used by your grass and flowers. The best time to fertilize trees is in the spring.
Mulch
You probably have mulch in your garden beds because it helps seal in moisture and imparts nutrients into the soil as it breaks down. But did you know it can do the same thing for trees? You may not want to mulch around every tree in your yard, but it's a great option for ornamental and statement trees. Make the mulch pile about six to ten feet wide, and don't push the mulch directly against the trunk, as this will promote rot. Three inches of mulch is sufficient.
Trees are fairly independent, low-maintenance plants, but they can benefit from some landscaping attention. Talk to a tree maintenance service, like Lopez Tree Service, to learn more about trimming, fertilization, and mulch.
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