Having a tree or trees in the garden adds character, they provide shade and can look stunning when they blossom. Perhaps more importantly, trees that are well established often become part of family memories.
Of course, trees, like any plant, need to be looked after to ensure they remain strong and healthy. It’s a good idea to use a reputable tree arborist Sydney annually. They can inspect the tree and assist with any issues.
That doesn’t mean you don’t need to do anything else throughout the year. Consider your tree arborist part of your care and maintenance schedule. Here are a few other things you should be doing to maintain your trees throughout the year:
Watering
In general, trees get the nutrients and water they need from the soil. However, if you have an extended dry spell, or if you’ve recently planted new trees, you need to make sure they’re getting enough water.
The best idea is to use a hosepipe on low pressure and lay it under the tree, but not against the bark. Over a period of 20-30 minutes, you should move the hose around, covering all the ground under the branches of the tree. This is generally the root area. The water will soak into the soil and be absorbed by the tree as needed.
You’ll only need to do this once or twice a week.
Protect The Bark
The bark is effectively the skin of your tree. It’s designed to keep infection and insects out of the tree structure. Inside the bark the tree has a network of passageways to carry water and nutrients, it’s surprisingly easy to disrupt these and cause the tree to suffer.
The bark is also its weather shield. Unfortunately, it can easily be damaged by lawnmowers, strimmers, and other power tools. Keep them away from your trees by putting a circle of mulch around the base. It will also help to keep the weeds away.
Pruning
It’s a good idea to prune your tree every year although you may prefer to get expert guidance before starting. You should ensure your cutting tools are clean before you start, this will help to prevent infection being spread to or between your trees.
Prune any branch that looks to be in the wrong place or growing downward. Trees are surprisingly resilient, it’s difficult to over prune them.
Any dead branches should also be removed, these will absorb nutrients from the rest of the tree, stunting its growth.
Avoid Roping Them
We’ve already mentioned that the bark is the skin of the tree. If it’s damaged then your tree’s health can suffer. Unfortunately, even simple things like a rope swing can quickly wear the bark away, exposing the inner flesh and potentially giving you tree health problems.
It’s best to avoid hanging anything from your tree.
Don’t forget, as well as an annual checkup from your local expert, you can also contact them if you have any concerns about the health of your tree. Treating problems early can help your tree to survive and flourish.
