Protect Your Trees’ Health as Summer Approaches
Summer is a great season for trees. The mix of hot and cool climates allows for trees to grow big and beautiful without facing much environmental damage. Whether you enjoy being surrounded by trees for their visual effect, you want shade for your leisurely outdoor time, or you have kids who love to climb, one thing is for sure: summer is better with trees.
Still, your trees are not immune to somewhat harsh conditions trees in the summer. With that being said, it’s important to provide specific care to your trees during this season.
Read below to learn about what measures are necessary to take to protect your trees’ health and keep them looking bright as summer approaches.
Why Trees Face Challenges in the Summer
Every season brings its own set of challenges to trees. trees in summer, the rising – and shifting – temperatures, along with the increase in rainfall, can encourage insects to appear and diseases to form.
Often, these problems have already begun during the spring, but without treatment, they get worse as summer arrives.
That’s why it’s important to take the right precautions as the temperature starts to rise.
How to Prepare Trees For the Summer
Prune… But Don’t Overprune!
Pruning – the act of removing branches from a tree – is a necessary step that should be taken no more than once per season. It allows you to remove the branches that are diseased or dying, and pose a risk to the rest of the tree. However, it’s important not to over-prune, as this can negatively affect your tree’s health.
Mulch
The beginning of summer is a great time to replace some of your yard’s soil. Mulching can keep your trees hydrated and protect their roots. However, try not to pile too much of the mulch against tree trunks – it should be evenly spread out, like a ring around the tree, rather than a mountain.
Irrigate
Summer weather can be unpredictable. Even if you know your climate well, you might find that rainfall comes and goes in a confusing pattern that makes proper watering difficult. That’s why irrigation is an important thing to keep in mind.
Fertilize
Spring is the best time to fertilize a tree. The minerals found in most fertilizers can help trees reach their full potential – both in health and growth – as the weather allows them to grow.
Inspect Regularly
Even if you’ve taken all the appropriate steps, it doesn’t hurt to check on your trees every few weeks. Look for signs of disease or decay, check for pests, and make sure trees are flourishing as expected.
READ MORE: 7 Reasons You Need Emergency Tree Removal Services
Problems You Should Look Out For
When investigating your trees, keep an eye out for these major hazards. Without being taken care of, they can infect even your healthiest trees.
Dead Trees
Dead or dying trees need to be removed as quickly as possible. They can become a breeding ground for pests, and create physical hazards as well.
You can identify a dead tree by checking to see if:
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It has few healthy leaves
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It is leaning
- It is severely cracked
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Limbs are falling off
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There are visible pests taking over the tree
If a tree is dead, it needs to be removed. Contact a tree removal service company for further instructions.
Roots
Roots are key identifiers in the health of a tree. Roots have an important job – they transport water and nutrients throughout each part of the tree to keep it healthy. For that reason, if something is wrong with the roots, you can expect the rest of the tree to struggle as well. Look for exposed or damaged roots.
Stumps
Once a tree is removed, what should you do with the remaining stump?
The answer is… get rid of it! Tree stumps that are left behind will begin to rot, which can infect nearby trees with diseases, and increase the risk of developing a pest problem. Reach out to a professional tree removal service for stump removal.
How to Tell If a Tree Should Be Removed
It’s unfortunate to see a tree reach the end of its life cycle, though it’s an important thing to consider. A dying tree doesn’t serve your yard well – in fact, it can damage the surrounding trees’ health. These signs indicate that it’s time to consider tree removal:
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You see signs of infection
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Branches are falling off
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Roots appear broken or damaged
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The tree feels hollow or is leaning
READ MORE: The Best Time of Year to Cut Down Trees
Conclusion
We wish every tree owner a summer full of great weather, exciting activities, and trees that grow strong and healthy. If you need any help with keeping trees healthy – or removing those that are unhealthy – contact us for our tree removal services.
We take pride in offering our professional Tree Care services in Ottawa. Feel free to reach out to Green Thumb Tree Specialist for any of the following Tree Services: