Trees are sturdy, but they often require special protection from different kinds of natural problems, especially if they are young. Keeping your trees safe from extreme weather and harmful pests, as well as ensuring they have nutritious soil in which to grow, will keep them safe and healthy.
Extreme Temperatures
Even if the trees on your property are native to your area or grow well in your climate zone, they may still struggle during periods of high heat or cold. This is especially the case if you are going through periods of unusual drought or frost. One problem trees can face during these conditions is sun scalding, where winter sunlight awakens trees from dormancy and the cold subsequently permanently damages their bark.
The best way to protect your trees from these issues depends on factors like the climate in your area, the time of year, and the age of your trees. For example, trees can often be protected from frost and sun scalding by having them wrapped. If you're concerned that the weather in your area may be too difficult for your trees to deal with without treatment, or if you see any signs of weakness, call a tree care specialist for help.
Pests
Pest infestations can be lethal, and it's important to both notice signs of trouble before they get too far and to take adequate preventative measures. Signs of pest infestation are often subtle but become easier to spot if you know what you're looking for. Pests are especially dangerous for trees that are weak or young or those that have been recently trimmed.
Tree-care specialists can provide valuable help if you suspect your trees might be infested, but they can also offer preventative treatments as well. Specialists are usually aware of pests that are going around in your area and use a variety of treatments that are safe for your trees and pets to keep pests away. For this reason, even if your trees aren't infested at the moment, it's worth calling a specialist to ask if treatments might be necessary, especially if you have trees that might be particularly susceptible to pest damage.
Soil Issues
One of the issues that can cause the most long-term problems for your trees is soil trouble. This can include soil that doesn't have adequate nutrients for your trees, but also soil that has been compacted.
Different problems with soil can be fixed in different ways. Compacted soil that impedes root growth can be slowly aided with mulch and wood chips and even radial trenching. These methods add nutrients to the soil over time and are preferable to methods like soil drenching, which can promote root rot. Your specialist may also recommend letting fallen leaves remain on the ground rather than being raked away, as these are good sources of nutrients as well. These methods are very effective but tend to work slowly, so it's best to get started as soon as you think there might be an issue with your soil.
To be proactive, you can help prevent issues like soil compaction by gating off root zones to prevent too much foot or vehicle traffic that, over time, can constantly push the soil down.
For more information, contact a tree care service near you.
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