Trees add a wonderful presence and feel to any garden. They provide a fresh change of scenery, provide shade, and even function as a natural barrier to keep out intruders. Plus, having trees helps in producing more oxygen and preventing natural disasters like flooding. With all its features and benefits, it is therefore essential that we take proper care of them, especially when the weather turns hot.
For example, maintaining fruit-bearing trees can become particularly important in the summer if you want to get the most out of them. Hot and dry summers may harm your trees, particularly if they’re young and in their nascent stage.
Our involvement in safe-keeping the trees during summers can go a long way in ensuring that they grow up to be healthy and fit.
Take a look at these tips for their maximum protection for the summer season and beyond. Read on:
1. Apply a fresh layer of mulch
Applying mulch in the right way can give much-needed support to trees, particularly at the root area. It’s an excellent way to keep the roots cool while still retaining moisture. Mulch treatment is an effective strategy to help young plants absorb more water and establish a healthy root system.
Remember, when it comes to mulching, less is more. So, use only a little amount of mulch to prevent pests and bacteria from spreading. A single layer that’s 5 to 10 cm thick should be enough. It’s also a good idea to leave some space between the mulch and the tree’s base. To keep pests and diseases at bay, form the mulch into a doughnut shape around the tree.
2. Watch out for signs of heat stress
Maintaining summer trees asks for adequate cooling and shading. Providing sufficient shade for young trees will help reduce heat stress and protect them from the sun. On exceptionally hot summer days, keep a lookout for any signs of heat exhaustion.
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include drooping, withering, and yellowing of leaves.
Give your tree enough water to help it recuperate from heat stress. Keep these pointers in mind and use them in the future to spot heat stress. You can be more proactive in tree maintenance if you remember these classic symptoms.
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3. Make sure the roots and trunk are safe
The roots are one of the vital parts of a tree, and maintaining their health means everything. Depending on where they’re planted, your trees can be exposed to a lot of foot stomp (say, you leave your home to catch some fresh air now that remote work allows you to take breaks at your own pace). Mulching is a possible way of preserving the trees’ roots.
If the tree is next to a well-travelled route, invest in putting a more solid barrier. If the tree is young, having a barrier will help prevent animals from causing any external harm while it’s in its developing stage.
You can also plant some bushes around the tree to ensure that people are kept at a safe distance from it. You may also use plants to help keep your house secure by letting trespassers avoid walking in that area.
4. Water trees consistently
During the summer, learning how to properly water your trees should be a primary focus. When it comes to watering your trees, focus on the root area to get the most out of each treatment.
Deeper, less frequent irrigation is healthier for trees than frequent watering. Should you decide to water your trees some more, focus on deep watering. This causes water to permeate deeper into the soil, allowing for more root development. Consider watering your plants first thing in the morning for great results. Starting early reduces evaporation and aids the tree’s ability to cope with the heat as the day progresses.
5. Fertilize properly (and on a regular basis)
Fertilizing the soil of your trees is important to keep them strong and healthy. Fertilizers add nutrients to the soil; the healthier the soil, the better the health. Also, adding more nourishment to the soil is key to a healthy growing tree, which aids in the proper growth of its leaves and shoots. It’s also vital to strengthen the tree, to shield itself against infection and pest attacks.
There are several aspects to consider while choosing the best fertiliser for your trees, especially if they are being planted for their high-quality nature (like fruit trees). Consider the quality of your plant to ensure that it is nutritious and filling. Trees in high-stress locations, such as urban surroundings, may need more fertilisation. You can contact a certified arborist to know more about fertilising your summer trees.
But can you upgrade your tree care routine through tree pruning? Contact your arborist in Christchurch today
6. Take good care of the soil
Checking the surrounding soil in which your tree stands is an effective tree care technique. When the soil is excessively compact, the tree is unable to get the water and nutrients that it needs.
A good way to solve this issue would be to aerate the soil such that there’s enough passage of air and water to reach the roots. Start by moistening the soil to loosen the congestion.
Next, create a series of holes, 5 centimetre-apart, in the earth using a soil auger or drill. Start around a metre away and work your way back every half metre until you reach the canopy. Each hole should have a diameter of around 5 centimetres and a depth of up to 50 centimetres. Fill each hole halfway with topsoil, then finish with mulch.
7. Inspect for pests regularly
A tree may appear healthy and robust on the surface, but you never know what’s lurking under the surface until you check. The warm summer weather is ideal for insect infestation, so staying one step ahead of any infestation calls for regular care. Conduct inspections once a week to get a sense of what issues the tree is experiencing.
Keep a check on the following indications:
- Cleanly drilled holes
- Flowing sap
- Dead branches.
These markers are more than not indicative of larval infestations, which can damage the tree’s natural ability to absorb water. Making inspections a part of your daily tree care routine may give you the opportunity to spot some sign of an infestation.
You should also keep an eye out for other trees in the area while you’re at it. Detecting local pests early on will help avoid localised infestations. Keeping a check on your neighbourhood trees will help prevent pests from spreading at an early stage.
8. To prune or not to prune
Pruning is often required to preserve a tree’s health and beauty. However, unless you’re trimming sick or broken branches, it’s best to avoid pruning in the summer. In such circumstances, prompt removal helps reduce any harm while also preventing infection from spreading to other sections of the tree.
Tree pruning during summer will help promote health, by improving air circulation and decreasing water absorption. Pruning is a task best left to the professionals in order to prevent placing excessive pressure on the tree and jeopardising its stability. Consult an arborist for successful tree pruning in Christchurch.
9. Install cables for safety
Summer is known for being hot, but summer storms may provide a genuine challenge for your trees. Storms may rip loose or dead limbs off trees, posing a danger to the environment surrounding them. Consult an arborist to determine the best course of action for your garden’s safety.
A tree care professional can recommend removing dead branches or placing cables to secure parts of the tree that can be potentially harmful. Tree cabling can help cut down on the dropping of twigs and leaves throughout the summer, in addition to making the yard safer.
Leaf shedding is very common in trees such as maples, willows, birches, and cedars. Cabling is a good way to reduce the mess in your yard to a great extent. If your family prefers to go all-natural for Christmas trees, cabling is an efficient way to handle your trees throughout the summer so you can keep your tree, its surroundings, and people safe.
Contact ProArb Canterbury if you’re looking for experienced Canterbury arborists to help you with your tree care. Our highly trained experts are here to serve you with all your tree care needs while maintaining safety precautions. Contact us today.