Selecting the correct tree is the point at which proper tree care begins, though, for many of us, we find trees on our land that we did not plant and do not understand. Maintaining a tree is an easy process, and luckily, requires the same methods and techniques for most species.
If you have trees that need help, then just a few hours a season can have them bright and blooming. Below, we give our short guide to tree care and maintenance and also see here Longwood arborists for expert tree care.
Tree Care and Maintenance
The maintenance and upkeep of a tree are known as pruning. It is done to encourage health, growth, or encourage flower and fruit production.
Firstly, remove any branches that are dead, crossing, or rubbing together. This should be done with proper pruning tools that you can get from any garden center. If taking off larger branches, you may need a saw.
One advanced tree care tip is to keep any collars from branches. This is the swollen area at the bottom of the branch, where it joins the larger branch or body of the tree. You should always cut across this cleanly and not rip it off.
You can direct the growth of the tree by cutting around 1/4 inch above a bud, which is facing the direction you want the tree to grow. Cutting too close will kill the bud, yet too far will produce deadwood. If you worry about doing it wrong, hire professionals like this tree pruning company to help you out.
When to Prune
When to prune your tree depends on what your final aim is for the tree. Ideally, you should prune a tree when it is dormant before it bears leaves and fruit. Just after the coldest part of winter is best for this, so your tree arrives at spring with a burst of foliage and color.
Once a tree spreads its leaves, it is already alive for the season. Pruning it may mean that more sap leaks and the tree takes longer to heal. You should only prune in the spring months with trees that have already bloomed, went their blossom has faded.
Once you reach the summer, you can begin to prune for tree development. You can now see any defective limbs and view the way in which the tree is growing much easier. This makes it a better time to remove any defective branches or ones that are growing in undesirable directions.
You should avoid any pruning in the fall. This is the time when fungi spores spread, and the tree is closing down for winter.
Tree Planting Tips
The way you plant a tree will depend upon the tree you have purchased. However, in most cases, you can follow a few simple steps that will keep it firm and encourage growth. The first is to dig a hole that is three inches deeper than the length of the roots.
Remove the seedling from the container, and gently spread the roots out by loosening the soil. Place it in the hole, centered and upright, before filling it with soil. Compress the soil well so the tree stays sturdy.
Branching Out
As you can see, just a few hours of tree care at the end of winter can keep most trees in check. We hope this guide has your branches looking green and lush in no time at all. If you enjoyed our helpful guide, then check out the rest of our blog for handy garden hints and tips.
