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| How To Be Nice To Your Trees |
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M i k e ' s T r e e S e r v i c e |
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| For healthy roots and trunk : |
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1.) Create a turf free mulch ring around the tree.
Grass is a vigorous competitor for water and nutrients especially with young trees.
Use organic mulch in moderation (2-4" deep is fine).
Wood bark mulch or other organic mulches breakdown and add organic matter to the soil which improves the soil's porosity.
Mulch also helps the soil conserve moisture and buffers temperature fluctuations. |
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2.) Don't mound up mulch around tree's trunk. Even though this practice is widely done, its called "volcano mulching", its not correct.
The "root flare" is where the tree's trunk transitions to its roots. It should be visible just above the ground.
Ideally, the mulch should cover the ground but not be up against the trunk (that is the ground should stay moist but not the bark). |
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bad : mulch volcano ! |
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correct (note root flare) |
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pictures from |
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Purdue Extension |
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3.) Don't use black plastic or non porous weed block fabrics under mulch. (I personally don't like any kind of weed block fabric.) They hinder root respiration and the natural incorporation of the broken down organic mulch into the soil. When weeding, loosen (or "fluff-up") the mulch with a cultivator or hoe, which helps water and air get to the soil. |
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4.) Avoid using salt to melt ice on driveways and sidewalks where it can wash into the soil around a tree or shrub. It is difficult for a tree to extract water from salty soil. Better to use pure sand (not treated with salt) in areas around trees. |
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5.) Don't make grade changes around the tree. That is don't pile soil or fill on top of the tree's root system. This will smother the roots. Excessive or heavy vehicle traffic over the root system will compact the soil and have a similar affect. The root system of a mature tree spreads out beyond the crown's "dripline". If you have to fill in a small hole that is OK, but don't raise a wide area under the tree. |
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6.) Don't over irrigate your trees. Know when watering is called for, know your soil types and know how much water you are applying,. . . Of course avoid puddling. Too much water can cause disease problems (particularly fungal diseases). |
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7.) Avoid mechanical damage to the trunk or roots. Lawnmowers and weedwhackers are common culprits. |
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For healthy trunk, branches and leaves : |
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1.) Don't top trees. It reduces the trees vigor, looks bad and causes watersprouts which are weakly attached and unsightly branches. |
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2.) Don't nail or tie things to the tree if it can be avoided. Wires and ropes (especially synthetic ropes) around trees can "girdle" them causing death. Remove support wires on newly planted trees after 1-2 years. Don't let the wire grow into the tree ! |
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What is "girdling" ? |
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3.) Keep the tree well trimmed.
Keep water sprouts and weak and crossing branches pruned out of the trees interior. Remove broken branches promptly so they do not cause more mechanical damage and / or be vulnerable to insect or disease infestation.
When pruning a branch don't leave a stub. But don't cut it too close either. saw the branch off just outside the branch "collar" (or bulge where the branch goes into the trunk). |
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M i k e ' s T r e e S e r v i c e |
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