Trees; the biggest plants in our ecosystem. It would be easy to think that they don’t need our attention due to their visually strong and striking presence however this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Like all forms of plant life, trees require the correct execution to maintain structure, appearance and vitality. Tree care is essentially the application of methods such as pruning and trimming to improve a tree’s health and well-being. However, Despite all the maintenance and care, there will come a point where felling must be implemented in order to keep a garden thriving and safe.
In this article, we will be looking at a few of the most common trees and the best ways to look after them.
Oak Trees
Young oak trees greatly benefit from regular pruning. When done at the right time, an oak will most likely experience a growth spurt. Older oak trees on the other hand do not require much pruning besides the removal of broken and dead branches.
This is also a good reason why oak trees are a good fit for homeowners who don’t want to spend too much time on maintenance. It should be noted that ‘pruning’ can be a complicated process that in some cases, requires a specialist. My Local Toolbox can help you find tree surgeons near you.
Furthermore, oak trees do not need much in terms of watering. Even during the height of summer, an oak should only be watered once a month.
Too much water can potentially lead to things such as root decay. Obviously, certain oaks (younger, uprooted etc) may require extra watering measures.
You should also regularly inspect the bark, leaves and other areas of the tree for disease and infection. Bark should be a green brown colour. Any discoloured patches could be a sign of disease and should be removed to save the oak from further infection. Once again, a specialist tree surgeon is recommended to ensure this is done correctly.
Evergreen Tree
When planted in the right place, evergreen trees can endure with very little maintenance. It is recommended that evergreens are positioned in a location where they are exposed to full sun in the summer and shade in the winter.
This can be achieved by making sure the tree is planted in the north side of the property. It should be noted that the needles can dry out in the winter months, so an anti-desiccant coating should be applied to the leaves and needles during the autumn period.
Like oak, evergreen trees only require pruning to remove dead and damaged branches. This should not be done in the late summer / early autumn as new branch growth may be stimulated without having time to harden off before the winter.
It is also recommended that evergreens are watered deeply before the ground hardens during the winter months. It’s during this period that these trees lose a lot of water so you need to make sure the soil doesn’t dry.
Fruit Tree
When it comes to fruit trees, it is important to make sure they are ready for the dormant months (winter).
Firstly, it should be said that fruit trees should not be fertilized after June. If you do feed them, they will mostly grow during the winter months leaving them vulnerable to the cold weather.
Watering should also be paused around the mid-October mark however you should make sure they have been properly hydrated before this point.
Pruning should also be avoided as this will encourage growth during the winter months. In areas with milder winters, autumn pruning should be fine to do. Fruit trees should be thoroughly checked for overwintering insects. These are often hidden in hard-to-reach spots.
Fruit tree care becomes much easier when pest problems for the nest season are dealt with.
Birch Tree
A well-maintained birch tree can bring a sense of natural beauty at any time of the year. It is recommended that you should only prune a birch tree during its dormant months (late summer to mid winter). This is because birches tend to bleed at other points in the year, especially late winter.
Bark peeling is often used to make birch trees look more attractive. You should however only really remove the loose bark to avoid any actual tissue damage within the tree. Moreover, birch trees also require moist soil and lots of water in the summer months, especially in their first active year of growth.
It is recommended that they are watered for two to three hours a week.
Advice and tree care can be provided by any qualified tree surgeon. Make sure you use My Local Toolbox to find a tree surgeon near you.
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