Individual Tree Maintenance: Caring for Young Plants
Trees are valuable as part of residential and even commercial landscaping. The plants will enhance the aesthetic value of the property, and they will attract more buyers in case you decide to resell. Therefore, it is important for you to provide proper and consistent care and maintenance to the individual trees growing on your land. This will promote the right conditions for continued growth and ensure that the plants remain healthy and visually appealing. The best way to attain good results with regard to landscape trees is to provide sufficient care when the plants are not yet mature. Here are some simple guidelines to help you care for young trees.
Watering
The most important element in the survival of a young tree is adequate water. Therefore, it is important to ensure that these requirements are met. When you first transplant the tree after acquiring it from the nursery, ensure that you provide enough water to pack the soil. This will eliminate air spaces, which promote accelerated evaporation of moisture. The exact amount of water that you should use will depend on the type of soil and the tree species. For instance, soils with high sand content drain water fast, so these require more water. You should consult an arboriculture expert for assessment and advice.
Mulching
Mulching is a good practice because it helps the soil around the tree to retain moisture for longer. It is particularly critical in areas that experience consistently high temperatures. Good mulch will prevent wilting in the afternoons when evaporation takes place at a high rate. Ideally, you can create your own mulch using materials from your property including glass clippings, leaves, wood chips and even bark. This is the best choice because the material will decompose to provide nutrients to the tree. Alternatively, you can purchase mulch from arboreal nurseries or stores. When you are mulching the tree, you should always create a ring around the tree, but the mulch should not be in direct contact with the trunk. This will allow the tree to get proper ventilation.
Proper Staking
Staking is not mandatory practice for young trees. However, this is necessary if the trunk of the plant is bending or the root ball structure is unstable. Staking will help the plant to grow upright for a more aesthetic look. You should always use wide, loosely tied straps to realign the tree. Tight straps will limit the ability of the plant to grow wider, so the tree will become tall and unsightly. Additionally, never stake older trees.
For more information and tips, contact a local tree services like Agility Professional Tree Service Pty Ltd.