5 Tree Care Tips to Keep Your Trees Healthy

Having trees in our gardens not only looks fantastic but mature trees can increase the value of your property. The problem is, most people don’t know how to care for their tree to ensure it grows healthily and looks its best. Whether you have a new sapling or established tree, here are our five top tips for better tree care.

1.   Watering

Although mature trees don’t usually need watering, there are two times in its life when it will need hydrating: when it is young and when we’ve had a heatwave.

When young, a tree needs a lot of water to grow optimally. The first two seasons are most critical, so make sure to water regularly.

If the weather has been unusually hot in the summer months and your ground is very dry, you should water trees. Although they do tolerate drought well, they may become too dry which can damage the roots.

2.   Mulching

Putting mulch around the base of your tree has several key benefits:

• Suppresses growth of unwanted weeds which compete with the tree.
• Helps retain moisture.
• Provides slow release fertiliser.

For the best results, put a 4-inch layer of good quality mulch around the base of your tree. Make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the trunk though, as this can cause rot.

3.   Weeding

Weeds compete for water and nutrients so can impact the health of your tree. Regularly removing weeds, grasses, and invasive plants from around the base of your tree will help ensure your tree is getting all the water and nutrients it needs.

For best results, try to keep a 3 foot diameter of clear ground around your tree while it’s growing.

4.   Protecting

If your tree is newly planted, it will need protection while it establishes itself. Tree borders and protectors work well as a physical barrier from lawn equipment, pets, and some wind damage. But you should also avoid chemical fertilisers while your tree is a sapling to give it the best chance.

5.   Pruning

Many people plant a new tree and then leave it to its own devices. But without thoughtful pruning, you’ll likely end up with uneven branches, poor quality growth, or an overgrown tree that can cause foundation issues.

There are three types of professional tree care that will ensure your tree is as healthy as possible:

• Crown thinning: cutting back smaller, outside branches to increase light penetration and avoid wind damage.
• Crown lifting: removing lower branches to give better access to the base and more light to this area.
• Crown reduction: taking some height off the top to avoid the tree becoming too tall and a danger of falling.

You can do these pruning chores yourself, or you can hire a professional tree surgeon. The advantage of a professional is that they will know how to prune and maintain the tree without further risking its health or damaging the tree.