Six Things You Need to Know About Spring Tree Care

Spring is here! It’s time to give your trees everything they need to survive and flourish, and to continue to grow healthy and strong. With this in mind, you should sit down and write out a care and maintenance plan that all your trees can benefit from. Here are six things you need to know about spring tree care in Newton, MA:

• Watch tree growth: Two main areas of trees to watch this spring are leaves and branches. Checking these tree parts closely can help you identify possible issues in a tree’s growth and development, like disease, damage and pests. Look for cracked or broken branches and branches that are missing bark or growing fungus, as these can be signs of structural problems and potential wood decay. Be wary of new spring leaves that are not growing in evenly in color or spread.
• Inspect trunks and roots: Inspect trunks and roots as well. In tree trunks, look for cracks or cavities, missing or sunken bark or oozing wounds. Fungal growth on trunks can also be a sign of structural issues and decay. As for tree roots, be on the lookout for fungal growth on large anchoring roots, the soil closest to the tree or along the base of the trunk, all of which are indications of decay. Cavities near the base of the tree can also indicate trouble, and raised or cracked soil on one side is a sign of leaning.
• Water: It’s important that you water properly throughout the spring months. Watering adequately is good maintenance, as it ensures your trees stay healthy as they grow and stabilize in the ground. Established trees need a deep soaking to the entire area beneath the canopy and several feet out. Avoid soaking the area around tree trunks, as this can cause rot.
• Check the soil: Soil compaction occurs in areas of your property where there’s substantial foot or vehicle traffic. When the soil around the base of the tree gets compacted, it cannot get the proper level of hydration and nutrients it needs to stay healthy through spring. Apply fertilizer to help improve soil health so water can seep down to tree roots.
• Prune: Pruning is a regular part of tree maintenance, as long as you aren’t hacking or sawing away at limbs. Proper pruning encourages healthy growth, removes damaged or dead limbs and increases flower production. It also prevents disease from spreading to other areas of the tree.
• Reduce herbicide use: During springtime and all year round, it’s best to minimize the use of herbicides near trees. Avoid using granular “weed and feed” products on grass where trees are growing because chances for herbicide damage are high. Herbicides used for weed control may be essential for grass growth, but using them too close to trees could stunt tree growth, and possibly even kill them.

If you’re looking for the best services for complete tree care in Newton, MA, look no further than BBD Tree Service. Call us today for more information or to get a tree service estimate!

Categorised in: Tree Maintenance

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