Arborist Tips for Creating a Tree Care Schedule

Arborists provide expert tree care and guidance on when to prune and trim your plants. Using the proper tools, you can maintain your tree’s health and appearance. Arborists help integrate tree care into seasonal yard upkeep. Here are some tips for creating a tree care schedule:

Seasonal Pruning

Have tree care professionals evaluate your trees to determine storm-damaged branches that may be pruned. Heavy ice storms and high winds can cause damage, and proper pruning removes hazardous branches that can fall and damage people or property. It also eliminates weak branch unions and directs healthy growth. Pruning branches in the winter helps minimize stress on your trees and their branches. Tree doctors can use techniques or products to help strengthen branch structure against future storms. Evaluating storm-damaged trees is part of preventive tree care.

Spring Dormant Oils

Applying horticultural oils during trees’ dormant phases before new spring growth begins helps to smother overwintering insect pests like aphids, spider mites, and scales to prevent damage. Professionals know the optimal time to apply oils for each tree species. Proper application helps trees get healthier and have more bloom in spring. Talk to them about dormant oil treatments as part of your seasonal tree care.

Chemical Treatments

Experts select, mix, and apply chemical treatments to combat pests and diseases. Applicators may treat emerald ash borers, oak wilt, powdery mildew, and other threats with trunk injections, basal bark sprays, and root drenches. They use integrated pest management to minimize chemical use around desirable plants and lawns. The expert application helps avoid unintended chemical uptake by trees. Treatments help to prevent pests and improve tree resilience.

Lightning Protection

Trees that are taller than nearby buildings have an increased risk of getting struck by lightning. Arborists can install hardware to provide a path for the strike’s electrical energy, helping to prevent damage. Lightning protection systems contain the energy to the conductor and discharge it into the ground. This shields trees’ vascular systems and reduces the risk of dieback and structural defects. Using the right protection systems can help preserve trees on your property.

Selective Thinning

Tree doctors determine which trees may need thinning. They look for signs of crowding and branch competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients and identify suppressed growth or unhealthy areas. Thinning can also improve air circulation to reduce pest and disease issues. Experts use thinning cuts to remove entire branches or stems at the trunk. They avoid topping, which stubs branches and causes future defects.

Plant Health

Experts on tree care evaluate site conditions that influence tree health, such as soil compaction, drainage issues, and nutrient deficiency. Testing soil texture, organic matter, pH, and fertility helps diagnose any issue. They may prescribe treatments like aeration, vertical mulching, deep root feeding, and organic amendments to address site deficiencies. Tree doctors control weeds competing with tree roots for water and fertilizer. Addressing site limitations fortifies tree health by providing growing environments. It also promotes root expansion so trees can absorb more water and nutrients.

Consult Professional Arborists Today

Partnering with a certified arborist enhances your tree maintenance program. Their expertise helps maintain the vigor, structure, and resilience of your trees. Implementing seasonal prescriptions for tree care by arborists helps keep your landscape healthy. Get advice today on how to create your tree care schedule.

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