Here at Wes’ Tree Service, we want to help you keep the trees on your property in the best possible condition. While trees are generally hardier than other plants, and require less maintenance, they do require some care in order to remain strong and healthy. In this article, we’ll go over the basic steps of annual tree care to help you keep your trees looking their best.
- Watering. Although mature trees can draw sufficient water from their roots to keep themselves hydrated, young or transplanted trees need to be watered regularly, as their root systems are not yet fully established and therefore can’t draw in as much moisture from the ground. For this part of annual tree care, we recommend giving your tree 10 gallons of water for every inch of trunk diameter at the time of planting–for example, if the trunk was two inches thick when you planted it, give it 20 gallons of water each week during the growing season.
- Mulching. Another key part of annual tree maintenance is giving your tree enough mulch. In a natural forest environment, trees drop their leaves, which helps the soil at the roots retain moisture, and also lets the trees reclaim some of those nutrients as microbes in the soil break them down. Using mulch around the roots of your trees mimics this process and keeps your trees much healthier.
- Pruning. Lastly, in order to ensure that your trees grow strong and healthy, another key step in annual tree care is pruning. By trimming back the branches, you help the tree form a sturdy, robust structure that will serve it well throughout its life, and encourage new growth that will have your tree looking vibrant and alive.