In this article, I’ll be giving you tips on how to maintain your tree.
Having a tree at home is something I believe everyone would enjoy, especially if it’s properly maintained. If you’re not getting the best looks out of your tree then keep reading.
Tree Maintenance: What You Should Know
The first thing you need to realize is that trees aren’t just decorations, they are living things. Similar to all other living organisms, they have certain needs, necessary for their health and good looks.
READ: Tree Protection Guide
Secondly, there is a responsibility that comes with owning trees. If you neglect these responsibilities, then your trees will be in very bad shape. They could even die.
Carefully follow the tips I’ll be giving you, and you’ll get the best out of your trees.
They will look good, provide great shades, and you and your family can enjoy all the advantages that come with having a healthy tree.
Here’s what you need to do –
-
Know Their Needs
If you don’t understand your tree’s needs, then how can you properly take care of them?
For you to understand their needs, you must know the type of trees in your yard.
With that said, you should know the following –
- How much water your tree needs
- The type of soil it needs to grow
- Whether it is susceptible to drought
- Is it sensitive to certain types of conditions?
-
Give Them The Pruning They Require
Pruning your trees the right way and at the right time is vital to their health and overall well being.
If they are pruned wrongly, you could injure them and leave them vulnerable to pests and infections.
Make sure you use the right cutting tools for your tree. A well-sharpened blade will give your trees a smooth, clean cut. On the other hand, blunt blades will have the cut edges looking like they were broken, rather than cut.
Also, keep in mind that the best time to prune a tree is during its dormant season. This is during late winter or early spring.
During these periods, the tree loses its leaves, so you have room and visibility to maneuver around the branches and other limbs.
Below are signs of a poorly pruned tree.
- When it has jagged cuts
- When it leans too much to one side
- When it’s being blocked from sunlight by another tree
-
Protect Its Roots
A tree can’t be healthy if its roots are not well taken care of. For you to ensure that your roots are well taken care of, you need to give them the type of soil they require.
Make sure the soil is not compacted, if it is, then the much-needed water and oxygen will be cut off from the roots.
The soil around the critical root zone of your tree must not be compacted. If it is, then the tree’s roots will be damaged.
-
Water Your Trees Regularly
As a bowl of soup is food to humans, so is water to a tree. Be sure to water them regularly, especially during the hot summer periods.
During the winter, you may not need to water them that much, since the ground will be very moist. An exception to this is newly planted trees.
-
Use Organic Mulch
Organic mulch is an excellent means of adding extra nutrients to the soil around the roots. It can also help prevent the occurrence of unwanted weeds.
You can start mulching 6 feet away from the base of your tree, then stretch to the end of your tree’s drip line, and stop just under the end of the tree’s canopy.
I recommend 1 inch of mulch near the base of the tree, then build up to a limit of 4 inches near the end of the circle.
When you care for your trees the right way, by identifying their needs, watering them regularly, protecting their roots, and mulching them correctly, you can be sure of having strong, healthy trees!
Best Fertilizers For Trees
A good looking garden will always be admired by many, but it takes a lot of work to achieve the desired health and beauty you want for your trees.
While most trees will do well on their own, some require a little spike, and what better way to improve your tree’s well being than with the use of high-quality fertilizers.
If you’re keen on knowing the best fertilizers for your trees, then keep reading. I’ll be recommending some great, effective products!
Oh, before I get into it, be sure of the exact results you are looking for from the fertilizer you buy. That will help you make your choice.
-
Jobe’s 01310 1310 Fertilizer
The shape of this product makes it very easy to apply to the soil. What you need to do is make a small hole around the area you want to apply, insert the fertilizer stick, and cover-up.
One great feature of this fertilizer is that its sticks come in different sizes, it all depends on the type of tree you want to use it for.
This fertilizer gives you a wide range of spike options, ranging from 5 to 160 spikes.
The spikes are designed to work in a “slow-release” format, so you can be sure you won’t be wasting any fertilizer as you apply.
-
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
Here’s another great fertilizer for your trees. It’s easy to apply and it gives great results!
This fertilizer is water-soluble, so all you have to do is sprinkle the desired amount around the base of your tree, and sprinkle some water on it so it can sit into the soil.
Alternatively, you could add the fertilizer to a watering can to form a solution. Then water your plants as you normally would. Doing it this way will save you time and energy.
You can apply this fertilizer once a week, maybe twice, but it all depends on the results you are trying to achieve.
The biggest advantage of using this brand of fertilizer is that it is safe for every tree or plant. Your tree will be fine as long as you apply the right amount. See instructions to understand its application.
-
Ross 14636 Root Feeder Refill
This is my third recommendation. The package comes not only with the fertilizer, but the fertilizer applicator as well.
The feeder refills are easy to install, and they have a sturdy build that guarantees they will last long. The feeder head is made of rugged plastic materials that can withstand the rigors of gardening.
The feeder head functions pretty much the same as other fertilizer sticks, the key difference being that you have to add the fertilizer to the head before you pierce it into the ground.
For effective use, read the instructions on the back of the package and be guided accordingly.
-
Osmocote 274850 Plus Outdoor And Indoor Smart-Release Plant Fertilizer
This fertilizer is great for both small indoor plants and larger outdoor trees. If you’re looking for a fertilizer that offers you long release periods, then this is the one you should go for.
This fertilizer can feed your plants for as long as 6 months, so it’s an ideal choice for those looking for a fertilizer that can last.
It contains as many as 11 much-needed nutrients and it can cater to the needs of a wide variety of plant species.
-
Scotts Continuous Release Evergreen Flowering Tree And Shrub Fertilizer
This fertilizer is packed with a wide variety of nutrients your tree needs to grow strong and healthy. The only downside for me is that it lacks a very key component, which is iron.
Iron helps the leaves on trees maintain its greenish color, without it, the leaves may start to become yellowish.
Regardless, it has many upsides. One of which is its ability to release throughout the soil for many months.
What this means is that you can apply it at the start of the growing season, and achieve the desired results up until the end of the season.
I guess that makes up for the exemption of iron in its ingredients!
This fertilizer is also great for a wide variety of plants, this is because it encourages growths from the very roots.
It is suitable for dogwoods, magnolias, evergreens, and hydrangeas. You can also apply it to camellias and azaleas.
This fertilizer comes in two sizes, the 2-pack size, and the 3-pack size.
Benefits Of Fertilizing Your Trees
Using fertilizers on your trees come with a good number of advantages.
Some of them include –
- Helping trees recover faster from the injuries caused by pruning
- It helps young trees grow faster
- It helps in strengthening the roots of trees, and the tree as a whole
Conclusion
Trust me, there is nothing that looks more appealing than well-maintained trees. They beautify your surroundings and help provide clean fresh oxygen.
Proper pruning and proper fertilization are key to achieving this.
I am pleased to give you these tips on how to maintain your trees.
Happy gardening!
