Tag Archive for: tree care

The Delicate Balance of Tree Pruning: Common Pruning Mistakes To Avoid

Pruning is an important and necessary step in caring for your trees. When you prune correctly, you’ll keep the yard looking polished, protect your property from falling dead branches, and keep your tree healthy for years to come. 

That being said, pruning should be done carefully and thoughtfully! In many cases a professional touch is needed. Not many homeowners realize that it is possible to prune too much or incorrectly. 

Keep reading to learn more about common pruning mistakes you should be aware of and avoid.

Common Pruning Mistakes

  • Open wounds on trees are easy targets of disease and pests. Unprofessional, rushed, or uneven cuts on a tree can leave open marks that invite disease and pests in.
  • Similarly, if a limb is not removed properly it can cause damage to other limbs or even the trunk of the tree as it’s coming down. This increases the risk of tree or property damage, or even worse, personal injury
  • Poorly pruned trees are also more likely to get damaged from storms or winds. You want to be sure that your trees are made stronger by pruning, not weaker.
  • Cutting the wrong branches or limbs can actually shorten the lifetime of a tree. If too many healthy branches are removed, this can impact a tree’s access to sunlight and water, making it impossible for the tree to create energy or food. Additionally, over-pruning can trigger a tree’s stress response.
  • Injuring a tree’s bark in the process of pruning is also a common mistake we see. While this isn’t always a big issue, larger wounds to the tree’s bark can kill them.

Have any questions about what pruning your tree wrong can do to them? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.

Could Your Tree Benefit From Fertilizer?

If you’re a homeowner, you likely understand the importance of caring for the trees on your property. While many people are good about checking for pests and keeping their trees pruned, many others don’t know that using fertilizer can also be a great step in their tree-care routine.

First Things First, Do You Need Fertilizer?

Some trees may not have a need for fertilizer, because the soil around them is already packed with all the necessary nutrients. Consider these factors when deciding if you could boost your tree’s health with fertilizer.

 

  • Is your yard regularly fertilized? If so, there’s no need to add additional fertilizer around your trees. 
  • Do your trees show signs of poor health? If your trees exhibit any of these symptoms, it’s possible fertilizer could help.
  • Test your soil! You can order your own kit to do just that. This process allows you to see first-hand the elements in your soil and if your trees might need some extra nutrients.
  • Are your trees not fully grown yet? Using fertilizer is an amazing way to ensure they grow to be as full and large as they can possibly be. 

Pick the Right Kind

Since there are many different brands and types of fertilizers out there, it can be a pain to figure out what type is right for you. Luckily, we’ve put together this guide on the best and worst types of fertilizers for your trees. Check it out to get a head start on the sometimes-overwhelming processes of selecting the best option!

So, When Should I Apply Fertilizer? 

The best time to apply fertilizer for your trees is during the early spring, when they aren’t facing times of overwatering or drought. It’s also the time when their roots are growing the most and when your soil has the most nutrients available. 

Have questions or need to talk to our Plant Health Care specialist about fertilizing your trees or yard? Feel free to reach out to us by clicking here or by giving us a call at 404-252-6448.