Spring is just around the corner, and property owners will want to prepare their trees for the season of growth. New Leaf Arboriculture is sharing Florida tree care tips to help people maintain trees so that they can flourish.
Pruning is foundational to proper arboreal health, but homeowners understandably want to avoid damaging their trees. First, remove diseased or compromised branches. In order to maintain the integrity of the main stem, it is vital that other invasive stems are eliminated. While pruning is an important part of maintaining overall tree health, it is also beneficial for aesthetic purposes. For instance, cutting branches that cross each other offers a cleaner aesthetic. Pruning can also be necessary to avoid potential hazards such as a tree whose branches are too close to a house or a tree that might interfere with a nearby power line.
Elaborate or large-scale pruning projects should always be left to the professionals. If a tree requires a ladder to prune, then property owners should hire an arborist to prune it.
Once a tree has been pruned, property owners can contribute to the health of the environment by using their pruning trimmings as compost or mulch. Mulching supports water retention for soil, deters the overgrowth of weeds, and prevents the relocation of sediment. Ideally, mulch should be laid at a depth of around two inches. However, when using a thicker mulch type, a four-inch depth is suitable. It is important to abide by the suggested mulch depths to enable plants to continue receiving adequate amounts of rainfall. One of the biggest mulching mistakes is “volcano mulching,” which occurs when mulch is pressed in a funnel formation around the base of trees. Volcano mulching encourages water to stagnate and causes mold development and tree rot. In the worst-case scenario, volcano mulching can cause improper growth of a tree’s root system and ultimately lead to plant death.
When mulching an area, always maintain a four-foot radius around the base of the tree. After a few seasons, replace old mulch with newer material to prevent the mulch from getting too thick and cutting off a tree’s water supply.
Property owners may be unaware that their yard’s seemingly annoying characteristics are actually their greatest assets. The leaves and other organic tree material that pile in a yard can easily be used for composting or even as a mulching alternative. When leaves are not raked up and fall under a tree, they break down and act as a hassle-free natural mulch.
Raking can be time-consuming, but many property owners do not like the appearance of a leaf-filled yard. Alternatively, a homeowner can plant bushes under trees, taking away the unwanted burden of both the raking process and the look of fallen leaves. Be sure to choose a bush or shrub type that is compatible with the tree it will be planted around.
Everyone loves to have a yard that radiates beauty, but not every property owner has the time to invest in making that dream a reality. To simplify the tree care process, consider hiring an arborist who has a certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The certification assures property owners that they are receiving services from a qualified and informed professional.
Owned by an ISA certified arborist and instructor, New Leaf Arboriculture provides arboricultural solutions to residential and commercial clients in Crestview, FL. The contract arboricultural firm offers services such as consulting, planting, tree removal, seasonal tree care, pruning, trimming, mulching, organic fertilizing, and vegetation management.
###
To learn more about tree care in Crestview, FL, visit the New Leaf Arboriculture website at https://newleafarboriculture.com or call 1 (850) 225-1411.
)
