As trees can increase a property’s value by anything up to 15%, many people are choosing to take good care of any old trees they already have. Despite this, a lot of these amateur arborists have a lot of trouble understanding the demands of such large, old living things. For example, do you know what a tree even needs to survive?
Below, we describe some of the ways you can help you avoid many of the most common ailments and allow an old tree to survive for many years to come.
How To Work Out What a Tree Needs
One of the first things you must do is research the specific tree you have. While everyone knows all trees need light, water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide, many have more specific demands. It might be that you can adjust the tree’s environment to help it out, or you might discover the moss surrounding it is toxic to the tree, for example.
After you learn all that you can about your plant, perform a visual inspection, noting everything which might seem off about the tree. Note down any holes, growths, or unusual elements. If there are specific branches that seem to be thriving or perishing, make a note of this so you can investigate why.
If you can, discuss the situation with an arborist or tree specialist. Many of them are willing to talk about specific plant issues, sometimes for a small fee. They can answer many questions, like:
- What is the best fertilizer to buy for the tree?
- Do trees die of old age?
- What pests and diseases should I watch out for?
You have the best chance of finding out the most about the tree by talking to an expert. So, write down everything you want to learn before you contact them so as to save you both time.
Ensure Good Tree Health
Depending on the old tree species, you might need different amounts of care to give the tree the best chance of survival. While most trees do not need much watering and can last through most short droughts, others might need a little more attention. As such, make sure you perform the right action for the tree you have.
Another thing you might need to do is start mulching. This is the practice of covering the ground around the tree with a range of coverings such as wood chips, leaves, or bark. This organic material can help to trap moisture in the dirt and will also slowly decompose, leaving nutrients in the soil itself for the tree to use.
If you want to go the more direct route, you can replace some of the soil with fertilizer to ensure the tree has a lot of nutrition. Though, you must ensure you do not damage the roots while you do this, as digging up the soil around the tree could cause more damage.
Make sure you also check the tree for pests and diseases. These can be hidden blights that sap the tree’s moisture and energy away. If you find any dangerous bugs, speak to your local arborist or tree specialist to find what would be the best way to remove them.
Tree Maintenance
Performing a quick “once-over” is not going to be enough for most trees. There are also several things you need to do regularly to offer your old tree a good chance at a healthy life. One of the first of these is pruning.
By pruning, you clear off some of the weaker limbs and branches. You might do this for many reasons, though in this case, we are investigating making the tree as healthy as possible. Although, knowing when to trim trees can mean the difference between a great job and harming the tree further.
To prune well, you will want to look for any limbs that appear less vibrant and remove them. There may be many reasons for this duller appearance, including a disease or an insect infestation. Each dying limb you remove helps reduce the amount of harm these can cause.
If you have a very dense tree, you might instead want to consider pruning to improve the airflow in the plant. This can offer a chance for the plant to breathe better and also allows you to reshape and thin it at the same time.
Make sure to also test the soil in an area once every few months. You might find its pH has started to drift due to pollution or issues with rainfall. Either way, replacing this soil can do wonders for a tree that is struggling to survive.
If the tree is already quite weak, another option is for you to offer it a brace. You can buy specific stakes or braces for trees in your garden that are starting to bend or stretch. While these will not work with larger trees, they can offer thinner ones a new lease of life.
Protecting Trees From Their Surroundings
Trees can often be very sensitive to changes in their environment. As such, you should be careful with the area around them. Some are even so fragile that foot traffic in the area around them can cause them damage as it compacts the soil, reducing the water they receive.
If you plan to perform any construction in the area around the tree, make sure to set up a barrier or temporary fence. This will ensure no harm comes to the plant as you perform work around it, and that no other person will cause harm to it either.
Get Help With Your Old Trees
With the above advice, your old trees should be able to stand the test of time. Though, sometimes you need a little help, or a mighty oak needs felling to protect the rest of the plants in your garden. This is where we come in.
We specialize in tree trimming, tree services, and stump removal. By working with us, you can ensure the safety of those in your home and improve the health of your whole garden. So, pick up the phone and give us a call to enquire about our services today.