Trees make a true statement when placed at key areas around the home. The question many homeowners ask — especially if they’ve inherited a yard with many and various types of trees — is when is it time to perform tree maintenance, and what are specific ways to maintain particular types of trees? To get those answers, first ask yourself these basic questions:
- Do the trees on my property present broken limbs that could possibly be dead or diseased?
- Do my trees encroach on my house, on my neighbor’s property or house, on power lines, or on sidewalk areas?
- Are my trees misshapen from overgrowth?
- Do my trees reduce the aesthetic value of my property?
If the answers to these questions are mostly yes, it is most certainly time for the most common form of tree maintenance: tree pruning. Put simply, tree pruning is selectively removing branches from a tree to improve its structure and promote overall healthy new growth. Pruning for tree health focuses on removing dead or dying branches, removing branches that may rub together, or removing any branch stubs so the tree will continue to grow healthy for years to come. Dead or dying branches can be removed anytime and in any season throughout the year.
Thinning out a tree’s canopy (the branches and leaves at its top) will let light and air circulate in and around its branches, which then allows for increased foliage and a decreased chance of disease. As trees age, they may grow suckers (more branches at their trunk base or above). Most suckers should be removed because they can weaken wood and take nutrients from the main tree. Helping each tree establish one main trunk or dominant stem is key to the growth process, to ensure the tree is able to withstand winter storms and high winds.
The most important thing you can do for your trees in the spring and summer is to ensure they receive adequate water. Proper watering is crucial for the health and vitality of trees, especially during periods of active growth and hot weather. This includes monitoring your soil moisture levels and adjusting watering them based on the weather conditions.