Tree Maintenance

Tree Maintenance

Elite Tree Care provides comprehensive tree services all year long. It’s important to remember that proper tree care starts when you select a tree. What you do, or do not do, in the first few years of your life will affect its shape, strength, and lifespan.

Choosing the Right Type of Tree

Choose a tree that grows readily on your type of property and surrounding area. Consider the weather conditions, terrain, sunlight, soil conditions, proximity to natural water, and estimated size of the roots to prevent damage to your home’s foundation – and that of your neighbor.

Tips for Selecting a Healthy Tree

Balled and Burlapped Trees should have root balls that are firm to the touch and are adequate for the tree’s size. Bare-Root Seedlings should have roots that are moist and fibrous.

Container-Grown Trees should have soil and roots that are joined tightly, and the container should not contain large, circling roots.

When purchasing a mature tree, you’ll want bright, healthy bark and trunks and limbs that are free of insects and injury. Branches should be well-distributed and have a spacing of 8-12” between branches.

Proper Care and Maintenance for your New Tree

Mulching: Mulch is a newly planted tree’s best friend. It helps insulate the soil, protecting it from heat, wind, and cold, and helps the ground maintain a more comfortable temperature day in and day out. It retains water helping to keep roots moist while preventing soil compaction. It also fights weeds and reduces lawnmower damage.

Watering: Over-watering is a common tree care mistake. For newly planted trees, water immediately for 30 seconds with a steady stream of water. It’s important to prevent overwatering so oxygen can enter the soil and mold doesn’t develop. If soil is moist 2 inches down, you won’t need to water. At this early stage (and well into its first few years), your tree is susceptible to weather fluctuations like heat and drought. Again, mulch is a good regulator.

After a few months, expand the watering to the tree’s drip line under the canopy. Deep watering helps the tree’s root growth, which is particularly strong during these first two years.

As the tree matures (2 years or longer), the roots extend far beyond the tree’s drip line. Try to avoid wetting down the trunk to prevent rot. The surrounding ground should be wet to about 10 inches underground.

Mature trees 2 years and over will become more self-sufficient and require less watering as they continue to mature.

Pruning and Trimming:

This step is important for maintaining a healthy tree. You should avoid pruning in the Fall because cuts in the bark heal more slowly, and fungi spread easily. Pruning during dormancy is common practice, resulting in a burst of new growth in Spring. It is best to wait until the coldest part of winter has passed.

Pruning during Summer also gives you a full look at the health of your tree so you can shape it, discard branches you don’t want, and keep it small enough for easy maintenance.

In general, discarding dead branches is a good idea at any stage of the tree’s growth, directing needed water to healthier areas of the tree.

No matter how big or small, pruning and tree trimming are key to keeping your trees happy and healthy.

Fertilizing:

Fertilizing helps restore nutrients to the soil, so trees stay healthier, combat disease and insects, and experience healthier flowering.

If the trees are natural to the area, they may have all the nutrients they need. If you find your tree needs a boost, Fall is typically the best time to do thorough fertilization, and one of the best ways to do it is with deep root fertilization. Here at Elite Tree Care, we offer tree services to keep your soil healthy and balanced, containing the macronutrients and micronutrients needed for optimal growth in your area.

Elite Tree Care is your trusted source for tree, shrub, and hedge removal and pruning services in Puget Sound. Our certified arborists on staff will handle your every need.