Common Mistakes in Tree Care and How to Fix Them
Common Mistakes in Tree Care and How to Fix Them
Common Mistakes in Tree Care and How to Fix Them: When caring for your cherished landscaping, killing a tree is the farthest thing from a homeowner’s mind. with the best of intentions, mishandled tree pruning can be fatal to a tree—and we’re not just talking about topping them. Inadequate tree care techniques, such as selecting the incorrect species for a site, mulching trees incorrectly, and using inadequate irrigation and fertilization methods, can cause stress on trees and ultimately result in their mortality.
Are you making serious mistakes with your trees? Read on for a list of seven tree care practices that may cause serious tree problems in the future.
Choosing the Wrong Species
Choosing the appropriate tree for the location is crucial. Take into account the ideal soil type, exposure, and mature height and width of any trees you wish to plant. Choose species and types that are appropriate for your region, choosing ones that are resistant to common pests like insects and diseases.
Poor Planting Methods
It’s not always beneficial to dig a bigger planting hole. A planting hole must not be deeper than the root ball, but it must be several times wider than the root ball. If the soil is heavily clayey or sand-filled, amend it first, and ensure that the topmost layer of primary lateral roots is at or close to the soil’s surface.
Limiting the Growth of Root Balls or Trunks
A tree needs to grow both in its trunk and its roots. Certain plants are sold with wire tags around the trunk, burlap around the root ball, or both. Before planting, these limitations must be removed. If you forget, the tag may stifle the trunk growth and the root ball will not be able to support a developing tree.
Too Much or Not Enough Water
The risk of insufficient water for trees during these dry spells is widely recognized. For a tree to flourish, its water requirements must be satisfied. It is better to occasionally water deeply than to frequently water lightly. By smothering the roots, too much water can destroy a tree more quickly than too little. Excessive watering causes more new tree deaths than insufficient watering, especially in thick clay soils.
A layer of mulch is beneficial for trees since it protects tree roots from extreme weather conditions, prevents weed growth, and preserves soil moisture. Mulching is often necessary. However, excessive mulching can hold in too much water around the roots. The layer of mulch shouldn’t be deeper than one inch (2.5 cm.) near the trunk but can be up to 4 inches (10 cm.) toward the outside.
Topping Trees
Cutting off the top of a ‘too tall’ tree seems like a simple solution to the height problem. This is one of the worst tree-cutting mistakes you can make and a straightforward way to kill a tree unintentionally. Trees should never, ever be topped. This practice creates an unattractive specimen and kills branches, shortening the tree’s life. When selecting a tree, avoid planting tall trees under utility lines, awnings, or close to the premises
Give Johnson Ops Tree Care a call at 608 526-6297, for an assessment of your landscape needs. One of our ISA Certified Arborists will be glad to meet with you!
