When is the best time of year to hire Tree Trimming Service?
During the winter! Because in the winter months trees are dormant. This is best for a number of reasons;
- When pruning is done when the trees are not blooming or in full bloom, the cuts are more easily concealed by new growth in the spring, and secondly, during the growing seasons of spring and summer, the tree will maintain it's maximum amount of leaves for strong growth.
- During the colder months the presence of insects and harmful beetles is greatly reduced, which puts the tree at a much lower risk of getting its fresh cuts invaded by little critters.
- Visibility for the structure of the tree is much better during winter when there is less foliage, and access to certain branches that are in need of thinning is easier.
- When most shrubs and trees that flower in warmer months are pruned in the winter, it encourages better blooming and bigger flowers.
- Pruning evergreens during the late winter will promote better growth as well.
- When the ground is frozen during the cold winter, we find that there is less damage to lawns and property by falling limbs when tree-trimming.
- Additionally, we are able to bring our equipment within closer reach to the trees we are servicing when the ground is frozen, which helps reduce the cost of using bigger and more expensive equipment.
CARING FOR YOUR NEW TREES
If you have planted some new young trees, within the last few years, those fledgling trees need proper care and regular watering to thrive and grow the right way. Failure to do so can result in your newly planted trees being stunted in their growth and they might not reach their full potential. Lack of proper care can also leave it susceptible to disease, pests, or dying.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent damage to your young trees with proper care:
HYDRATION
Take care to ensure that your tree gets about 25 gallons of water per week. (This is also equal to about 1 & 1/2 inches of rainfall)
You can prevent wasting water a few ways by:
- Take a 5-gallon bucket and puncture some holes in the base. Fill this bucket up with water, and place it at the base of the tree. Refill the bucket about 5 times per week.
- You can also get a 25 gallon slow release water bag (available at most garden centers). Fill it up once per week.
- Or just place the hose just at the base of the tree and turn in on to run for about a half hour. Do this about every other day.
PROTECTION
Using mulch every season over the soil around the base of the tree not only ensure that the area stays moist, but it will also naturally prevent weeds from taking root and growing there. Here’s a few tips on mulching your trees:
- Find leaf compost or shredded bark compost at your local garden center
- When applying mulch, stick to the 3 - 3 - 3 rule which says: Three inches away from the base of the tree trunk, placed in a three foot ring, add three inches deep of mulch.
- Try to stay away from volcano mulching, this is when the mulch is piled high at the base of the tree in a mountain formation. Seen often in commercial landscaping, although this may look nice aesthetically, in fact it can suffocate the tree.
PREVENT DAMAGE
With all the tools we have now for gardening and grass maintenance, some of them can be damaging to the young trees. Try to keep lawn mowers and weed whackers away from trees, trim grass around trees carefully with a set of shears. Wildlife can also hurt a young tree. Here’s a few ways you can prevent damage:
- At the base of the tree you can install a trunk guard around it. This will help keep the trees water system flowing well, and also ensure that its nutrients are not being stopped short from reaching the tree.
- Tree trunk guards also aid in protecting the tree from small pests, animals and rodents damaging the tree.
- If you happen to live in a more rural area, you can also install deer fencing if necessary to prevent damage from deer.
Caring For Pine Trees and Evergreens
Fir and Evergreen Tree Care and Maintenance
From their beautiful, year-round color to the soothing scent of pine needles, pine trees are a staple in many areas. Many people here in New England choose to plant and maintain these evergreen conifers on their property because of their color, scent, and variety -- they can range from 4 to 100 feet tall, making them great for smaller properties and ample land alike. And while pine trees are relatively low-maintenance, it is important to understand the necessary maintenance and care for growing and mature pine trees. This article will explain the do’s and don’t’s of pine tree care.
Don’t:
Heavily prune your trees. Pine trees require very little trimming. If you prune your pine trees too heavily, they can be left looking scraggly and bare for years to come. Severe pruning is especially dangerous for pine trees in the growing season, which includes late spring through summer. During this time, pruning can leave bark vulnerable to infections, rot, and fungi. In addition, pruning too heavily during the autumn season can weaken new growth to the point that it may not survive the harsher winter months.
Ignore signs of pests or fungi. While pine trees are more resistant to poor environmental conditions than many other types of tree, it is still important to know the environmental dangers to your pine trees, including pests, disease, and fungi. We recommend looking over your tree regularly and noting any weakened branches, damaged spots, or unfamiliar growths. If you believe that your tree has been damaged or infected, reach out to a certified tree care company immediately to get your tree back on track to health.
Do:
Use the proper amount and type of fertilizer. Pine trees benefit from soil that is nutrient-rich. Using the correct fertilizer can help ensure that your pine trees receive all of the necessary nutrients for young pine trees to grow healthily and for mature pines to remain in good health. We recommend using slow-release fertilizer for your pine trees, as it is the healthiest choice for both young and mature trees. Pine trees need different amounts of fertilizer depending on the area of their bedding and diameter of their trunks.
Routinely remove dead branches Even though we recommend against trimming pine trees too heavily, the exception is in the instance of dead or diseased branches or limbs on your tree. It is important to remove these branches so that they do not infect or damage the rest of the tree. It is important to prune dead or diseased branches in dry weather so that any infections do not spread from the branch to pruning tools and, subsequently, other plants.
Work with a professional. Finally, we always recommend working with a tree care company such as ours that specializes in pine tree maintenance and care. While pine trees are low maintenance, their care still requires the knowledge, state-of-the-art equipment, and techniques that only a certified arborist can have. Whether for routine maintenance or damage and disease, a tree care company will help keep your trees healthy.