Professional tree service in Pittsburgh gives advice on essential summertime tree care.
Each season is important in the lives of trees. Spring is a vital time for trees to reproduce. Fall is an important time for trees to prepare for their dormancy through a harsh winter. But, summer is maybe the best time of all. Summer is the time when trees get to do most of their growing and feeding on the sunshine during long summer days.
Because summer is so important in the life cycle of trees, it is an important season to give them every advantage possible. This year, take advice from local Pittsburgh arborists and give trees what they need to thrive through this important season.
Careful Mulching
Mulching may be one of the most common tree health practices but it is probably the most commonly misunderstood and most often misapplied. Mulch is a layer of organic material, most often shredded wood, that is applied in the feeding zone around trees. As it breaks down, it feeds roots and gives nutrients to the tree. Mulch should be replenished every couple of years to keep fresh nutrients going into the tree roots.
Mulch also does a good job of regulating moisture in the soil around a tree. Normally, the soil at the base of the tree would be subject to swings in moisture from drought or harsh sunlight. Mulch helps regulate the natural forces that would cause stress on the tree.
Mulch should be applied a few inches thick all the way around the tree, even out as far as the edges of the canopy. A few inches of space should be given between the mulch and the trunk of the tree.
Good Irrigation Practices
Along with good mulch, irrigation is probably the most important aspect of tree health care. Long, slow watering of trees will ensure that moisture is soaking into the ground around the tree. Generally, once a week of deep watering will be sufficient to give an established tree all it needs. Newly planted trees need water more often until after their first growing season. But, be careful! Overwatering a tree can actually be more harmful than underwatering since it can interfere with nutrient uptake that the tree uses for strong growth.
Pest Inspections on Leaves and Branches
In perfect circumstances, trees can resist damage from pests. However, trees exist in nature which is rarely perfect. Summer is the season where pests will try to attack trees. Look for signs like:
- Wet spots around the trunk from borers and birds
- Defoliation
- Spotted leaves
- Visible insect nests
- Webs, silks, or galls
Treating infestation quickly can prevent serious damage to trees. Pest inspections from a local arborist can quickly deal with infestations.
Cabling or Bracing Weak Tree Sections
Tree service professionals have several tools and methods at their disposal to deal with trees that are structurally unsound. They are:
- Corrective tree trimming
- Preventative tree pruning
- Cabling
- Bracing
All of these methods can be used to ensure that trees grow in a habit that is healthy for them. A tree care professional can make the right recommendation to deal with trees that may be a danger to themselves.
Tree Trimming for Health
Summer is the best time to remove dead growth from a tree. Dead sections of a tree are more obvious in the summer. Additionally, it is more likely that dead wood in a tree will become home to a pest infestation during the summer. Trim dead sections as soon as they are found and the tree will be happy and vigorous over the summer.
About Greater Pitt Tree Service
Greater Pitt Tree Service is an award-winning arboreal company in Pittsburgh. Their skilled teams can handle tree removals from start to finish and they can clear lots for new construction. Call 412-867-9631 for free quotes on any of their tree health services.