Published 09/19/2022 by Oregon Tree Care
Trees are more than just beautiful — they provide shade during the summer months, help improve air quality, and even allow you to have privacy in your yard. Most importantly, they need to be cared for to thrive, just like any other living thing.
Taking care of your trees is essential to maintaining their health and beauty. However, you’re not an arborist — it can be hard to know what to do (and what not to do) to keep your trees in good shape.
Whether you have one or several trees on your property, keep reading for a few things you should avoid.
1. Don't over-water your trees
It’s important to water trees, but too much water can actually kill them — even in the summer months. If the soil feels wet or soggy, it won’t be necessary to water your tree.
When watering your trees, avoid using a sprinkler system because they can get damaged from the force of the water hitting their leaves and stems. Instead, use a hose or a bucket. Pour the water slowly over the roots of your trees, so they have enough time to absorb it.
2. Don't stake young trees
Staking is sometimes necessary to help young trees stand straight, but it is not always necessary. In fact, it can even be detrimental.
Trees need to move with the breeze to help them grow strong roots and trunks, and securing them with a stake stops them from moving naturally. This unnatural restraint often results in poor development, which ultimately makes them weak and prone to breaking. If you must stake a tree, remember that the stakes should be removed about 6 months after installation.
3. Don't use too much mulch
Mulch is good for retaining moisture, keeping your soil temperature consistent, and preventing weeds. But too much of it can be dangerous to your trees.
The amount of mulch you use should depend on the size of your tree and whether it's young or mature. When adding mulch, don’t put it too close to the trunk, as this can cause it to suffocate and rot.
4. Don't prune your tree in the wrong season
The best time to prune your trees is when they’re dormant because they’re less vulnerable to insects or disease — this occurs between winter and early spring (November to March).
Pruning your trees in the wrong season can weaken your trees, making them prone to infestation and causing flowering problems.
5. Don't fill tree cavities with concrete
People used to think that filling tree cavities with concrete helped prevent decay and insects from infesting the tree. There’s nothing further from the truth! Using concrete to fill cavities actually damages the tree, since concrete stays moistened and can rot the tree.
If there’s a hole in your tree, it’s better to let it heal by itself.
6. Don't use herbicides or pesticides on your trees
The use of herbicides and pesticides can not only kill pests but also contaminate your trees, soil, and water. They can also affect birds, other trees, and even beneficial insects.
It is best to surround the tree with good mulch to naturally prevent weeds.
7. Don't plant too many trees
It's important for your trees to have plenty of space, and that means leaving some areas open so that they can get the sunlight, water, and nutrients they need. If you put too many trees together, they will shade each other out and compete for resources.
8. Don't top your trees
Topping is a pruning technique that involves cutting off the tops of branches. It is an unnatural way for a tree to grow and can cause many problems for both your tree and its environment.
When you top a tree, you're stripping off its natural shape and exposing it to disease, decay, and damage from the sun or insects. If you want to remove large branches from any part of your yard, hire an arborist with experience in proper pruning techniques.
Keeping your trees healthy is worth it
Trees are an essential part of our ecosystem. They provide us with oxygen, shade during hot summer days, beautiful scenery, and a natural habitat for local wildlife. Plus, they add value to any property.
If you're looking to keep your trees healthy for as long as possible, our expert arborists in Oregon Tree Care are here to help.
Call us at (503) 929-9437 or contact us online to set up a consultation and request a free quote!