Care Guide For All Types Of Trees

Any tree that has been planted within the past three years is a newly planted tree that needs regular care and water to grow. Failure to follow tree care may lead to the tree not growing properly and may not reach its potential size as an adult. In this blog post, we provide a simple, easy-to-follow care guide for all types of trees.

Watering

A newly planted tree would’ve lost a lot of its root system when it was transplanted, which makes them highly vulnerable to dying from drought. This is especially true in the first few seasons, so we must water trees when they’re young for the best tree care. However, even an older tree can suffer from long periods of drought and heat, so be sure to provide them with water if you think they need it.

Give your tree 10 gallons of water every week in the growing season for each inch of trunk diameter when you first planted it. For example, if your tree had a trunk diameter of 2 inches when you planted it, the tree would need 20 gallons of water every week. Be sure to water slowly to ensure that the water penetrates the soil and into the roots where it’s needed the most.

Be sure to check the soil to determine the tree’s watering needs — just dig a few inches into the soil to see if it’s dry or if it has moisture. Water your tree for one year equivalent to every one inch of trunk diameter when it was first planted.

Mulching

The best thing you can do for tree care is to provide it with proper mulching. In its natural setting, trees will drop their branches and leaves around themselves, which is then re-absorbed as nutrients when they break down. In our homes, we often plant trees in compacted and unnatural soils, while taking away all the leaves, before they can become compost to improve the soil.

Mulch is the solution for tree care in the city, where the mulch will break down to provide the tree with nutrients. It also yields a wide range of other benefits as well, such as retaining moisture from the soil and protection from lawnmowers. Be sure to mulch every season to keep your soil moist while naturally controlling weeds.

When mulching, be sure to remember the following:

• Use leaf compost or shredded bark
• Use the 3-3-3 rule when applying: Provide 3 inches of mulch inside a 3-foot ring within a 3-inch space surrounding the trunk
• Keep lawn mowers, weed whackers, and animals away from trees
• Avoid volcano mulching

Cutting

Whenever cutting your tree, be sure to always cut to the main trunk, lateral branch, or a bud. Be sure not to leave stubs and always use the three-cut method for bigger limbs that are over inches in diameter. Furthermore, don’t make a flush cut when pruning back to another branch or the main stem. This will have long-lasting effects on your tree care.

Instead, be sure to cut the raised branch collar which contains chemicals that work as a shield against pathogens while helping the tree create woundwood. Moreover, don’t remove anything over one-quarter of a tree’s living crown at any one time. If you do need to remove more, be sure to do it over a few years.

LTRC Tree Specialists

Tree care isn’t always easy, but when done right, it can benefit your young trees for the years to come. Contact LTRC for professional tree care! Visit our website or call (404) 288-5872 today!