From the Ground Up: How to Take Care of Your Summer Soil

Keeping your trees looking great is hard work. It seems like pruning, fertilizing and taking care of all the details can be almost a full-time job. However, there is one other aspect of tree health you may not have considered — soil care. Discover three ways that you can take care of your soil in the summer months. This will help your trees look their best this summer and in the years to come!

  • Improve Soil Nutrients. Poor soil nutrition occurs when the soil is too acidic or too alkaline. This is something you will have to work with an expert to determine. You could have a professional tree care company test the soil, or you could prepare a soil sample yourself and send it to the local extension service to find out more about the soil’s current nutrition levels. Once you know more about the existing soil nutrition levels, you can determine the best products to purchase at your garden center to treat the soil and improve its overall health.
  • Repair Drainage Issues. If water cannot drain properly, your trees will suffer. Watch what happens when it rains or you water your trees. Does the water drain within 30 minutes? If not, you may have waterlogged roots. Check the soil condition after rain or watering. Does it retain moisture? If it does not, your trees may not get the amount of water they need. Adjusting the landscaping may be all it takes to improve drainage.
  • Add Organic Matter. Trees grow best when they have other organic matter in the soil. Leaves, small plants and grass can all improve the growth of your trees. Luckily, this is something you can do yourself. Consider adding other plants near your trees for a boost to their growth.

You do not have to take care of your trees alone — “leaf” it to us! Contact Premier Tree Solutions by clicking here for help with any of your tree-related questions, or call us out to take a look at your trees in person. We would love to help your trees look their best and live their healthiest lives.

Branching Out: How to Detect If a Branch Needs Cutting

A dropped branch can cause serious property damage, harm to a tree, or even loss of life. To the untrained eye, a tree might look totally sturdy which is why it’s important to spot branches in danger of falling. Learn to recognize the three warning signs below so that you can cut them before anything gets damaged … including your wallet.

If You See a Split or Break

If a tree limb or branch breaks in a storm, due to weight from ice and snow or just because, there’s a good chance the next strong wind will finish the job. Breaks, splits, or cracks along the length of the limb are dangerous, as are injuries at the crotch, where the branch attaches to the trunk. Sometimes these breaks are less obvious, so especially after a storm, inspect your trees carefully for signs.

If the Branch Is Diseased

If you catch disease or a pest infestation in the initial stages, you may be able to treat the branch and save it. However, homeowners often miss problems, putting the limb and eventually the entire tree at risk. Some diseases enter from small wounds or tears in the bark and eat away at the tree from the inside, which is especially dangerous; the outside may look normal, while the inside is rotten. Look for flaking bits or sawdust-like particles. Discoloration, swelling, bark peeling, dead or dropped leaves, insects, or eggs are also signs of disease or infestation.

If the Limb Is Dead

This one’s easy. If the rest of your tree is in leaf and a single branch is not, it’s dead and needs to come down. Dead branches are just waiting to drop, so don’t hesitate to remove them.

Of course, sometimes a branch looks like it might need to be cut down, but you can’t tell. It’s normal to be conservative, especially with a tree you love, which is why professional help can be a lifesaver. An arborist will not only help you determine whether to cut, they will get the job done quickly and safely while minimizing the risk of infection to the tree.

Think you might need help? Get in touch with Premier Tree Solutions online by clicking here. We’re happy to help you set up an appointment.