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Trees are very important for the environment and the nature around us. This is why keeping them as healthy as possible is highly important. If you have a tree on your property, you are obliged to look after it. Some tree types require more care and attention than others, with some being able to thrive on their own and others requiring regular maintenance. Check out our top tree care tips below on how you should look after your trees and ensure that you have a healthy tree on your property.
Mulch is a loose covering of absorbent materials, such as compost, bark, grass clippings that are laid over the soil or grass surrounding the tree. It is used mainly for young trees or plants that are in their important growing stages. It provides the tree or plant with a constant source of water due to it soaking up rainfall and other water that has gone onto it. Mulch also acts as a protective barrier which suppresses weeds and keeps the soil, that the important roots are in, cool which boosts growth. Also, mulch is highly attractive and can add a more natural look to your garden and make it look more attractive all around.
Using mulch around your trees is one of the more simple and effective ways to ensure their strength, health and growth, especially in their younger stages. To begin with, you must gently remove any grass or weeds from the surrounding area. Anything within a 1-3m perimeter should be removed. You can then begin pouring your chosen mulch on to this area. We recommend pouring around to a depth of 4-6 cm deep so that there is enough to provide a strong and effective protection for your tree and its roots. One tip is we recommend leaving a small gap between the mulch and the tree trunk to allow the sap or excess water from it to be able to flow freely from it.
Like any living object, trees require water to live and grow. You may think that they rain will naturally water your tree for you, however, sometimes this is not enough. Similarly, low rainfall seasons, such as summer, will not have much rain to naturally water your tree for you. This means that you’ll need to water your tree yourself. If your tree has been established for over 2 years, regular watering won’t be necessary due to the tree having to use less energy to set its roots in the ground which it needs to do in its early years to secure itself.
If you do have a young tree on your property that requires water, it is relatively straightforward to ensure that it receives enough water. It is possible to over water a tree just as easy as it is to underwater it. A general rule of thumb when it comes to watering a tree is that the soil around the tree should be moist, not soggy or dry. You can easily check the moisture of the soil by using a garden trowel to create a small 2 inch deep trench. You then use your finger to touch the soil; if it is moist to the touch, the tree does not need watering.
If your tree does need watering, there are multiple ways to water it. One is to leave a hose on low power at the base of the tree. Similarly, you can use a large bucket with holes or a slow release watering bag that is filled with water to slowly release water gradually.
Pruning your tree is vital to ensure it’s health and give it the best chance of a long life. Pruning a tree is basically cutting off any dead branches so that the tree can continue to grow bigger and produce healthier leaves or fruit. The type of pruning that you perform can depend on the tree and the result that you wish, so it is important that you take tree pruning expert advice before undertaking any pruning. Your tree will benefit best when you prune it in the spring or early summer. This is when the tree is at maximum growth and can recover from the cuts better than what it would in the autumn or winter.
Pruning can be relatively easy, however, it can also be easy to cut too much off and damage your tree. One of our top tips is to use sharp and clean tools, such as loppers and scissors, and clean them regularly. You will easily be able to see which branches or section of your tree is dead as there will be no leaves or fruit growing from it. You can begin cutting these branches off, ensuring to cut them at the base of the main branch, in one clean cut and ensuring not to rip the bark.
If you have a tree on your property, and it is getting close to above telephone wires, we recommend a tree crown reduction. Due to the crown of the tree being very difficult to reach with domestic tree pruning equipment, we highly recommend calling an expert tree surgeon and tree crown reduction company as they will have the correct tools and knowledge to complete the reduction to the best level.
The roots and the base of your tree are crucial to the success of the growth of your tree. They ensure that the tree takes up enough nutrients from the soil and rainfall. This is why keeping the area around the base of your tree clear is so important. If you have chairs or large rocks around the base of your tree, it will prevent the roots from having access to nutrients and water that the tree needs to survive. Similarly, you want to prevent any animal such as deer, cats and rodents from scratching and damaging the base of the tree. This is why we recommend installing a trunk guard at the base. They are very durable and won’t prevent the tree from growing or accessing nutrients.
Like any living being, trees are at risk of getting ill and contracting diseases. There are a wide variety of different diseases that harm trees. However, spotting them can vary from one disease to another. This is why we recommend reading up on tree diseases or contacting a trusted tree surgeon contractor who is able to diagnose tree diseases, treat the disease and advise you on what to do to prevent the disease spreading or occurring again. One useful tip that we recommend is to get to know your tree. Trees change numerous times during the year so, what some people may perceive as being a disease taking hold of the tree or its health deteriorating, may just be the changing of its leaves. Checking the leaves and the bark can be an easy to spot method to find any diseases on the tree. If you see any discolouration or oddly coloured patches, this could be the early signs of a high damaging disease which means the tree requires treatment or removal.
Trees are very delicate, especially during winter and stormy weather. It is a common site for a tree to have ripped a fallen down after a storm. Branches and leaves are also affected heavily and can become a danger to those surrounding it. If a tree on your property has been damaged in a storm or just from old age, it is highly important that you contact a tree surgeon immediately. This is because the tree is now weakened and other branches may be a hidden danger to those surrounding it. An experienced tree surgeon will be able to find the damaged branches and remove them safely. They will also be able to advise you if further work is required on the tree to make it safe and the best methods to return it back to full strength once again.
If you have a tree on your property and what to ensure that it stays in it’s very best condition for the rest of its life, contact the team at Cheltenham Tree Services today for tree care tips on 01242 581541. Our team of highly trained and qualified tree surgeons are available to advise you on any work that your tree requires to stay in full health and to prevent it from being a danger to those around. Each member of our tree surgery team is fully equipped with the latest in tree cutting, pruning and removal equipment as well as the knowledge to advise you on any methods for you to care for your team. They are able to visit your property where the tree is and provide you with an estimate for the work required on it.