If the first official day of Summer has you dreaming of vacations, warm sun and cold treats you can be sure you’re not the only one. On the other hand, Summer can seriously stress out your trees. Today, we’re sharing a few key tips on Summer tree care for healthy, happy trees all year long.
Summer tree care tip #1
The most important thing you can do for your trees during the Summer months is to water properly. Like your lawn, a deep soaking once a week is better than shorter, shallow watering. Each tree has different water requirements, but the general rule of thumb for a tree’s watering needs is 10 gallons of water for every inch of trunk diameter. You can also check the soil moisture before watering; take a long screwdriver and push it into the ground under the tree, if it is difficult to push up to 6 inches that’s a good indication it is time to water.
Some easy methods to ensure proper watering include:
- Turning a hose on low at the base of the tree for 30 minutes.
- Investing in a spiral soaker hose and running the water for an hour or more.
- Using a 25 gallon slow-release watering bag and refilling once per week.
Summer tree care tip #2
Add some mulch around the base of your trees. Organic mulch, such as pine straw or bark mulch, conserves soil moisture and keeps tree roots cool. Fill a 3 foot space at the base of the tree 1 to 3 inches deep being careful to leave 2 to 3 inches of space around the trunk of the tree.
Summer tree care tip #3
While actual pruning is best done during the winter when most trees are dormant, light pruning is okay to keep your trees looking and feeling their best. Inspect your trees and remove the 3 D’s; dead, diseased and/or damaged wood. Take notice of any insect infestations and weak or compromised limbs. Any potentially hazardous tree branches should be cabled or braced to prevent damage during Summer storms. Remove any branches that are crossing or rubbing along with any limbs that are growing toward the center of the tree. Watch the weather and avoid any pruning if rain is in the forecast as wet conditions on a fresh cut could invite disease.
If you are unsure if your trees require pruning or if perhaps you are worried about the integrity of a specific tree on your property, please call our team to arrange for a free tree consultation.
Trees are beautiful and practical and giving them the care they need all year long means many more Summers sipping lemonade in the shade. As always, we’re here to help create gorgeous landscapes for every yard.
Tree care and maintenance not your thing? No problem, Highlands Landscape is happy to do the work for you so you can save your Summers for fun! Our fully insured professional team will provide all our tree services with a focus on safety and the protection of your property.
Contact us for your Summer tree care needs!
Feel free to give us a call at (781) 431-2338, or reach out to us directly through our website and we will find a time to see you.
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