Spring has sprung! It’s time to take a good look at everything in your yard and give it some tender love and care as it deserves. While most people tend to garden veggies and flowers, don’t forget about your trees.
This spring, give your trees the thoughtful care that they need. This is the perfect time to assess any winter damage and to set your trees up for a successful summer. In this post, we share our top four tips for spring tree care.
1. Inspect trees and shrubs for overall health
After the back and forth of Florida winters, trees can suffer from all the variable temperatures. Your landscaping may have standing water in places, be experiencing some pest issues, and more.
Here are some good things to check for:
Look for dead wood, frostbite, or lesions on leaves. Locate dead, damaged, or diseased limbs. Do some pruning to get your trees in top shape.
If you aren’t comfortable with pruning yourself, Warner Tree Service is happy to help.
2. Ensure trees have enough water for a solid growing season
Soil can become depleted after winter and you’ll want to make sure you have some good conditions for the continued health of your trees and plants.
- Check soil moisture once a week 4-6 inches below the surface. Soil should be moist but not wet.
- Deep watering, watering with a hose around the base of the tree, prevents weak surface roots from forming and encourages the growth of robust roots underground.
- If you have an irrigation system inspect it for any leaks or clogged spray heads or drippers.
- As trees grow, use more water less often. Approximately 10 gallons for each inch of trunk diameter.
3. Check mulch levels and replenish as needed
Mulch is almost as important as water to the health of your plants. It makes sure the soil maintains it’s moisture and has the proper draining.
If your mulch is less than ideal it’s a good idea to redo it and make sure you have a fresh new layer on the ground.
- Use mulch to help conserve moisture. Keep the soil covered with a 3- to 5-inch layer of mulch starting a few inches from the base of the trunk and extending 1 to 2 feet from the tree in all directions (creating a circle around the tree).
- Mulch also helps to suppress weeds.
4. Remove weeds and excess debris around the base of any tree on your property
Weeds aren’t good for any of the plants on your property. They take nutrients away from the plants you want to grow and don’t make for a pretty landscaping job.
- Weeds need to be removed at the first sign. Spring is the perfect time for this as dirt is still soft from the rain.
- Remove competing plants, including ivy and lawn. These plants can hide defects such as areas of decay and can trap moisture around the root crown, creating the perfect environment for fungus.
- Garbage collects under ivy and it creates a breeding ground for rats. Ideally, all competing plants within the drip line will be removed.
- Laying mulch around the trunk (but leaving the root crown exposed) can help keep ivy and other plants from returning.
Take Care of Your Trees and They’ll Stand Strong for a Lifetime
By paying attention to your landscaping and putting some love and care into your lawn and garden your trees will remain happy and healthy for a lifetime.
Need some help maintaining your landscape? Warner Tree Service is here to help.
