Trees are a beautiful addition to any property and can enhance the aesthetic of your outdoor spaces. However, they can quickly become dangerous and a liability if not well cared for. Taking the time to maintain your trees properly can save you time and money in the long run, as it can prevent property damage and ensure your family’s safety. You’ll also avoid disease and insect infestations while increasing the value of your property by using correct tree maintenance procedures. Read on to learn more about essential tree maintenance tips.
Identifying Potential Problems Early
Identifying potential tree problems early is the first step towards ensuring healthy growth and preventing property damage. This starts with a thorough tree inspection. Although you might be able to catch some problems on your own, for some, you will need professional assistance. During an inspection, you must look for obvious signs such as dead branches, cracks in the trunk, and decaying bark. It would help if you also looked for less obvious signs, such as leaning trunks and shallow root systems.
Some problems, such as the presence of pests or diseases, can be difficult to identify unless you have a lot of experience with trees. In these cases, it’s a good idea to consult a tree care professional to help you identify and address these issues. When left for a long period, you risk the tree’s death. Moreover, the branches or the entire tree might fall on your property, causing property destruction or injury to the occupants.
Pruning Your Trees
Pruning is a common practice used to maintain healthy trees. You can prune your trees for a variety of reasons, including improving their appearance and boosting growth. Trimming back the tips of your branches is called heading back. It helps prevent the branches from growing into the path of power lines which would otherwise cause power outages or fires. Some areas of your tree, such as the ends of the branches, are more susceptible to decay. Ultimately the branches might break off from the tree and fall on the roof, causing damages that are expensive to repair. In some cases, you might have to replace the entire roof. Pruning these parts of your tree can help to prevent decay.
Disease Prevention
Another important tree maintenance tip is disease prevention. By protecting your trees from diseases before they start, you can greatly reduce the risk of losing them or having them become a security issue. Start with choosing disease-resistant trees. These are specially bred to be less susceptible to certain diseases and are a great first line of defense. Certain diseases can be spread through insects and soil, so be sure to keep pests away from your trees and ensure any water or fertilizer you use is free of disease. And as a general rule, don’t plant trees in areas where they would be susceptible to disease. For example, don’t plant citrus trees in an area with lots of frost.
If you don’t have the time, experience, or knowledge to care for your trees properly, hiring a tree care professional may be a good idea. Contact the experts at Economy Tree, Inc. if you need help with tree maintenance in Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding communities.
