Summer is a time for grass to grow green, flowers to bloom in full and trees to have all of their leaves. Unfortunately, whether environmental reasons or pests, your trees may not be as healthy as you would like them to be. Here are some of the steps to take to ensure your trees look their best in Durham for the summer:
- Inspect Your Property - There are many factors as to why you may not see green grass or the healthiest of trees. Some of the warning signs to check your trees for are: pests, fungus, leaning trees, branches falling, etc. Most of the pests during the summer like bagworms, japanese beetles, aphids, spider mites and magnolia scale come out during the summer and are not as harmful as other pests. Contact a local arborist if you are afraid that you have an infestation of pests.
- Mulch - You can still mulch your trees in the summer if you were not able to in the Spring. Properly mulching trees with not too much mulch can cut down on weeds, convert soil into moisture and level out soil temperatures. There should be about 3 to 4 inches of mulch for a healthy tree.
- Fertilizing - A step to ensure your trees are very healthy this summer is to fertilize them with enough nutrition to ensure proper growth and fend off disease. If you live in a city, you tree will need more fertilization than in a natural area. They require more fertilizer in order to thrive in urban areas.
- Sufficient Watering - In the summertime, trees need a lot more water. There should be five gallons of water for every inch in trunk diameter. It is best to water trees in the morning before the sun dries them out in the afternoon heat. The mulch will reduce any water lost to weeds. Trees can also get overwatered. If there is a rainy day, do not water your trees. When the soil it soggy, the trees have enough water.
- Pruning - Trees that bloom in the spring may end their growth season in the summer. When this happens, it is best to prune your flowers and branches. This will lessen the total leaf surface and the amount of food made and sent to the roots will be reduced. Trees that have flowers bloom in the mid - to - late summer, you should prune in the Winter months or early Spring. Winter pruning should be done when the coldest part of winter is over. Summer pruning should be done when the seasonal growth is completed. Limbs that are defective are more visible in the winter, so it is a good idea to prune right after the plants have lost their flowers. Pruning in the Fall months is not advised because disease is easier spread with trees in the colder months. Decay and fungi can spread spores more in the Fall than they can in any other month, and tree wounds are more difficult to heal from Fall cuts. The optimal time for pruning is in the Spring and Winter months.
So, remember to follow these steps to avoid potential tree problems in the future. You can prevent many diseases and pests by ensuring that your tree is properly cared for. Without proper water and nutrition, your tree is a ticking time bomb for pests, disease and weakening. If you are not already taking proper care of your trees, it is time to start. A well - kept tree is the best kept secret for gardeners and landscapers all around. If you want your tree to be nourished and healthy, be sure to follow these 5 steps: proper watering, mulching, fertilizing, pruning and a thorough inspection of your property. If it is already too late, and your tree is infested with pests or is dying - then you may need to call a certified arborist. A tree can look unhealthy in many ways especially with: disease, drought, pests, improperly planted trees and invasive species. These are all telltale signs that your tree should be removed. If you Contact Precision Cutting Services today if you need a tree removed.
