Routine Tree Maintenance and Care Practices

Trees are a very important part of the environment we live in. They are part of the landscaping and make the environment look beautiful. They provide shading and can even help to reduce your air conditioning costs if you live in very hot climates. They are a natural habitat for animals like small rodents and birds. When they are mature, they can also be harvested for wood, tree sap, bark and other useful by products. The following are some of the routine tree maintenance and care practices to get keep your trees growing healthy:

Proper planting of trees

You should avoid planting trees and shrubs near power lines. The tree branches can tangle up with the power branches, which is quite dangerous. The trees may also be damaged by the power crews whenever they are working on the power lines. You should also avoid planting large tree varieties very close to buildings, driveways and paved areas as the roots can damage your foundation. Ensure that your trees will have enough space to grow to maturity without interfering with construction and power lines.

Mulching

Mulching is the practices of adding dead grass, plants and other mulching materials at the base of the tree trunk to insulate the soil and provide a buffer from extreme temperature such as excess heat or cold. The mulch also helps the ground retain water keeping the soil moist, which is necessary for the development of the growing tree. It helps to keeps the weeds out and prevents soil compaction so the tree roots can spread out properly.

Watering

Watering your trees, particularly in the first two years of growth, is a necessary part of tree care and maintenance. Newly planted trees need a lot of water starting immediately after planting. In the first two years, trees should be watered during the growing season due to the vigorous growth they undergo. After two years, the roots of the tree are well established and can draw in moisture from the soil with little assistance from watering. When watering your trees, a steady stream of water for about 30 seconds for every seedling is enough to grow it. The mulch will help retain the moisture in the soil for longer.

Pruning

This is the process of removing parts of the tree branches or trunk. Regularly light pruning to remove dead and diseased branches is necessary to keep the trees healthy and prevent the spread of pests and diseases from one tree to another. Pruning practices vary depending on the individual species of the tree. It generally promotes a burst of new growth, manages the size of the tree and the extent of the tree canopy.

Managing pests and disease problems

You may need the help of an arborist to properly diagnose pests and diseases affecting your trees. These individuals can recommend the right pesticides and herbicides to use, or whether you need to remove the entire branch to prevent the spread of the disease. You can call your local specialist and enquire about the health of your trees for advice on how to handle such problems.

Posted By: All American Tree Pro  http://allamericantreepro.com

Tree Maintenance Practices

Proper tree maintenance is important for healthy growth. Trees not only make your environment beautiful, they also provide shading, a natural habitat for birds if you love bird watching and when they are old and dying, you can turn them into logs for your furnace or fireplace. The following are some of the most important tree maintenance practices.

Tree watering

It is difficult to recommend an exact amount of water because of different climates and tree varieties. There are a few rules of thumb that you should consider when handling watering trees.

·         You should always water trees immediately after planning them.

·         You should always water your trees during the first two years. During the growing seasons, your trees are trying to establish roots in the soil and they have a hard time dealing with drought and heat. Providing the trees with water and covering the ground with mulch can help them retain moisture in the soil and roots even when it gets pretty hot outside.

·         Too much water can be bad for your trees too. Many people often make the mistake of overwatering the trees. Moist and soggy is quite different; you need to make the soil moist so it can dry after a while to allow oxygen to enter the soil.

·         After two years, your tree will have developed proper root structure, which can withstand a greater range of water conditions so you do not have to water it.

Tree pruning

Pruning is the process of removing parts of the tree branches or top of the trunk. There are many reasons why people prune trees. Trees can be pruned to remove dead branches and diseased leaves, to control the shape of the tree in growth and to encourage flowering. Tree pruning often depends on the individual tree species. The following are some simple pruning guidelines.

·         Winter pruning is the best time because the trees are dormant. This will result in a vigorous burst of growth during spring if you want your trees leafy and bushy. Winter pruning should be done when the coldest part of winter has passed.

·         Pruning in summer helps to direct the growth of the tree by slowing the growth of undesired branches. Summer pruning should be done after seasonal growth; it reduces the number of leaves on the tree. Defective limbs hanging too low can be seen easily and removed at this time.

·         If you are pruning to enhance flowering in the trees, you should prune the trees after the flowers fade. For trees that bloom in spring and for trees that flower in the middle or towards the end of summer, pruning should be during winter or the beginning of spring.

Avoid pruning trees during fall. Decay fungi often spread their spores extensively during fall. If the spores fall on the cuts, the healing of the wounds where the tree was cut may be slower or the tree may become disease infected. Just leave your pruning tools in storage during fall. 

Posted By: All American Tree Pro  http://allamericantreepro.com

Tree Watering Tips and Advice

Most people overlook the importance of regular tree watering. Trees require enough water to grow healthy. Without adequate water supply, the tree will suffer from ‘drought injury’. It will begin to wilt or curl at the edges because of inadequate water supply. Yellowing of leaves is also a sign of inadequate supply of water. To avoid this, you will need to know the basics of tree watering.

Best methods for tree watering

This will also depend on the size of the tree you are watering. For small trees the best way to water them is using a small irrigation system. You can also use a 5-gallon bucket with small holes at the bottom or a hose with medium pressure.  Larger trees can be watered using a deep root feeder.

Amount of water required

This will depend on the size of the tree you are watering. In times of drought, all trees must be watered on a regular basis. You may also invest in irrigation systems that can be used to ensure all areas of your lawn are properly watered. You can also use a sprinkler if you want to water a larger area like the entire lawn.

Experts recommend 10 gallons of water for each inch of trunk diameter. This means that 5 minutes of watering per day will be suitable for a tree that has a trunk diameter of 1 inch if using a horse pipe. Small and medium sized trees should be watered at least 3 times a month. The larger trees are able to withstand short periods of drought.

New trees require frequent watering

A new tree will require more frequent watering because it has to restore its root system. When the tree is transplanted, it loses its roots through the process of digging and hence requires proper and regular watering to grow.  High volume irrigation is required to make sure the new tree grows healthy.

What is deep watering and when is it required?

Deep irrigation is often required for new trees. This form of watering is what keeps moisture concentrations deep down below the surface so that the roots can grow downwards deep into the soil. Deep irrigation is done by applying a high volume of water once in a slow manner with medium pressure. Make sure the water is extended evenly on the roots.

Choose the right type of tree

If you live in an area that doesn’t experience a lot of rainfall, you may consider getting the species of trees that are designed for drought prone areas. These drought-tolerant species can stay for a long time without watering. There are those species that are more tolerant than others and the first few years are very important to their survival so you will need to ensure they are planted correctly and watered well. Examples of drought-resistant trees include White fir and Arizona Cypress.

There’s still a lot to learn when it comes to tree watering but the tips above can help you to get started with the maintenance of your trees and making sure they grow healthy.

Posted By: All American Tree Pro  http://allamericantreepro.com

Ways to Remove a Tree

The typical way to remove a tree involves using a chainsaw but there are different ways to utilize this process. If it is a tall tree they will generally require a bucket truck to remove the tree. This is a truck with a hydraulic platform that lifts the tree cutter high into the air beside the tree to be cut down. During this process the tree cutter will cut the tree into sections to remove it. Using this method it will help to eliminate the potential of having a large tall tree drop onto a roadway, fence, home, or other buildings. The worker could also climb the tree and cut the limbs while in the tree.

When the crew arrives to remove the tree often they find that it is towering over a roadway, home, or building, which creates a problem. The tree limbs that will be cut cannot be dropped without creating a hazard or damaging property. The most practical way to take care of this problem is lower the limbs that were cut to the ground using a rope. Before the limb is cut a rope is attached to it and once cut it can be lowered down and avoid any contact with traffic or structures. Depending on the size of the limbs and the location of the hazard it may take more than one rope to get the limbs safely to the ground.

In spite of what you see in movies about cutting the tree at the bottom and letting it fall most trees are actually removed from the top down. Once all the limbs are cut off, the trunk can be tipped over or cut down, depending on the size of the tree. The bigger limbs are cut into firewood after the smaller branches are removed and then loaded onto a truck.

The last step to removing a tree is to cut down the trunk. In order to get the entire trunk to the ground safely most will be cut into portions several times. The tree cutters must make sure that the tree can be handled safely once it is on the ground, whether whole or in portions. In some companies they will use a loader to lift the trunk in sections and put them on the trailer to be hauled away. The last section of the tree trunk is sawed off close to the ground. To leave the stump or remove it will be the property owner's decision. If the property owner wants it removed he can have the company use a stump grinder to grind it out.

If you do not have experience cutting down trees you should an expert tree cutter to do the job correctly and safely.

Posted By: All American Tree Pro http://allamericantreepro.com

Why You Should Take Care of Your Trees

Having trees around the home is a great idea. They provide shading and give great ambience to your home. The can also be quite fun for the kids as you can build a tree house for them. However, you still have a lot of work on your hands when it comes to trees. Just like any other aspect of the landscaping, trees require care and maintenance. You should call a professional when it comes to tree maintenance because:

·        

•       They have the skill to visualize how the tree will grow and advice if it is likely to cause potential hazards
•        Advise you where to plant new trees for proper shading and away from energized power lines.

Power lines

Trees often get into a lot of conflict with power lines. When trees grow uncontrollably high and wide, their branches can do a lot of damage. Falling tree branches can cut power lines and cause a black out in the entire neighborhood. Trimming and pruning the trees regularly helps maintain a proper size that does not interfere with power lines. The tree specialist can also identify sick and rotten branches that may fall on the power lines before they do.

Sometimes, you may need to cut down the entire tree if it is too close to a power line or source. The tree specialist will take down the tree safely.

Natural forces

Heavy winds and rain can be very dangerous. They can cause an entire tree to be uprooted from the ground. Trees cause a lot of property damage when the branches bore a hole through your roof or the stump crashes your car. However, this is often the case with unhealthy trees that have been given little or no attention at all. Pruned and well cared for trees are healthy, have sturdy branches and strong roots that can withstand the forces of heavy rains and wind.  When diseased rotten branches are gotten out of the way early enough, you lower the risk of the disease spreading throughout the tree and weakening it making it easy for the wind and rain to bring it down.

Aesthetics

There is no doubt trees are beautiful. Their broad leaves creating a roof like canopy, some flower in season and you can enjoy the colors of the leaves change through the various seasons. This is why you should care for your trees to maintain their aesthetical value in the environment. Trees also make up a major part of landscaping. Pruning the trees enhances flowering and you can get a full bloom the next season.

Saving energy

Trees are a crucial part of your energy saving efforts. If you have a tree constantly shading your walls and windows, you may have to spend more on heating costs. However, during hot weather, this shading can help you save significantly on cooling. Trimming the branches at the right time will help you save a lot of money on heating and cooling costs depending on the season.

Posted By: All American Tree Pro http://allamericantreepro.com 

Find Out If Your Home Needs Tree Removal Services

Your home is your sanctuary. It is a place where you are secured and comfortable. After a hard day's work, you come home to relax. You want your home to be clean and if possible, beautiful to your eyes. That is why some homeowners decide to put a garden with flowers, shrubs and trees to enhance the home. But sometimes, when the add-ons are not properly maintained, it can be an eyesore. Trees become diseased which is a health risk and with that, tree removal services will be called on for assistance.

Why Remove Trees in the First Place?

Everyone knows how trees are important in providing life to the planet and the rest of living beings. So why is there a need to remove them from places where they naturally grew?

Trees need to be removed especially when a storm has hit and caused the tree to fall down. If the tree acquires an untreatable disease and is causing damage to your property, you will then also need tree removal services. There are also times when trees can pose a threat to your property, when the roots have all popped out and can trip your kids. Roots can also puncture the sewer and plumbing lines. Sometimes, branches hang too low and puncture your home's roof; and when trees become too old, it can take just one storm to make it fall.

Other times, trees are removed to give way for construction of gardens, residences or commercial spaces, as long as new ones are planted in exchange. Some homeowners think they can handle the challenge of tree removal services on their own; if you are one of them, think again.

When You Think You Can Do It?

This is one common mistake by people who feel that they can just cut off their trees and take it off their yard. What they do not know is that it is a dangerous task to remove trees on your own. It is always a safer choice to let the specialists do what they are supposed to do.

This is the rationale behind hiring tree removal services: A surgeon is skilled, experienced and certified to operate on a patient. This is the same with a tree care specialist when removing unwanted trees. They have the necessary know-how and can do the service in a snap.

So, can a simple layman person operate on a surgical table? No, right? An inexperienced and uncertified person cannot just use an axe or chainsaw to cut a tree. Do you get the picture now? This is exactly the reason why an expert in removing trees is needed.

Experts know better when it comes to removing trees; they know exactly how to remove them and with specifically which tools. If you think your home needs tree removal services for any reason, make sure to hire licensed and insured service providers.

Posted By: All American Tree Pro http://allamericantreepro.com

Taking Care of Your Trees

A home with an almost forested yard is a joy that most homeowners seek to have. However, ensuring that the trees in your yard remain in good condition is no joke. Some of the trees will get diseased, others will die away, and yet others will be felled by strong winds and storms. Ideally, you should ensure that the trees in your yard do not become overpopulated to avoid competing for nutrients and also to prevent a yard that serves as a hideout for trespassers. There are several things that you need to do to ensure that you are taking proper care of your trees.

Know how many you can handle

Do not plant too many trees in your yard, only to find yourself incapable of taking care of them. You may argue that trees do not require constant maintenance like pets, but you will be better off planting trees that you will be able to provide nutrients, water and attention for. Remember, while they’re still seedlings, your constant care will be needed.

Research on climatic conditions

Different trees thrive differently in varying conditions. Before you fill up your yard with seedlings, do your homework and find out whether the trees will do well in your type of climate. Some homeowners make the mistake of investing in their trees, wondering why they aren’t responding to all the care, while the problem all along is that the species is wrong for that climate.

Prune often

Do not let your trees be weighed down by unnecessary branches. Get these pruned as often as is possible. You can use the pruned branches as firewood, or you can find other uses for them.

Work with an arborist

An arborist is trained to provide the best care for trees. They will tell you what to look out for as far as tree diseases are concerned. They will also advise you on how best to take care of your trees.

Cut down diseased trees

Usually, diseased trees will start drying up. Instead of allowing the tree to dry up in your yard (as this increases the chances of spreading the disease), have the tree cut down and removed instead.

Dealing with stumps

If you have cut down your trees, for whatever reasons, it is advisable to have the stumps removed as soon as is possible. Stumps in your yard do not do your home value any favors. Some homeowners will attempt to remove the tree stumps themselves, but this can be tedious and even dangerous. The best way to go about it is to get professional tree stump removal services to do the job for you.

Most people who love gardening tend to have trees in their yards as well. Taking care of trees is a joy, especially when you consider all the amazing things trees do for the environment. So go ahead and get yourself some seedlings, plant these in your yard and watch them grow into beautiful towering trees. Who knows, maybe one day the trees will serve as treehouses for your great grandchildren. 

Posted By: Mike Hardy  http://allamericantreepro.net/