We all want beautiful, strong, safe trees in our backyards, and giving your trees the best in care and maintenance goes a long way towards reaching that goal. However, tree care and maintenance can sometimes be dangerous, so what can you do yourself that will help your tree flourish, without putting yourself at risk. Here we take a look at DIY tree care and what you can safely do without the help of your local Arborist.
1. Know Your Trees
It’s helpful to know what type of tree you have, so you can better understand its various preferences and requirements for things like soil and weather conditions, watering needs, signs of sickness and what they are prone to. There are a multitude of apps available now that will help you identify the species of your tree, but if you need some help, give your local Arborist a call.
2. Pruning
Pruning, when done correctly and when required, is one of the best things you can do for your tree. Cutting away any obviously dead, diseased or damaged branches will help improve your tree’s health and vigour enormously, as well as keeping pest and disease at bay. It is very important to note, however, that tree pruning can be highly dangerous, so only attempt to prune small branches that aren’t too high or too heavy. You must also use the correct tools when pruning or you can risk wounding the tree.
3. Mulch
Using mulch is one of the best, easiest and inexpensive things you can do for your trees. Some of the many benefits of adding mulch to the base of your tree include:
- Increased pest resistance
- Less weeds to compete for water and nutrients
- Soil temperature regulation
- Improves the nutritional content of the soil
- Helps retain moisture
- Looks and smells great!
You do need to make sure you apply the mulch correctly to give maximum benefit and to not adversely impact the tree. Don’t pile the mulch right up against the tree’s trunk, apply a ring of mulch around the tree leaving a gap of 10 – 15 centimetres from the trunk to prevent any root rot or disease.
4. Fertilise
You may wish to do a soil test to check for any nutrient deficiencies if your trees are showing signs of ill health. Adding a good quality, slow-release fertiliser can help restore the nutrients in the soil. Make sure you follow the recommended dosage and only use a fertiliser that is suited to your tree.
5. Water
Just like us, trees must have adequate water supply for good health. How much you need to water, if at all, will depend on a couple of factors such as – whether it’s a newly planted tree, which will usually need more water, the recent weather conditions, and the soil condition. Let both the tree and the ground surrounding it be your guide. You don’t want the ground to be water-logged and sodden, but equally you don’t want it to be dry and cracked.
It’s generally best to water in the late afternoon for best absorption, but don’t over water as this can lead to issues such as fungus growth and root rot.
6. Keep It Tidy
A super easy DIY job is to simply remove any weeds that are lurking around your trees as they can compete for water and nutrients and harbour pests. Rake up any leaves and clear debris that might be laying around as this can help keep pests away, and reduces the chance of fungus growing.
7. Inspect
Regularly take a good look at your trees and check for any changes or irregularities. Look for things like leaf changes or loss, the presence or signs of pests, fungus at the base of the tree, trunk changes and increase in deadwood. All of these things can be an indication of poor health or underlying issues that could put your tree at risk.
When It’s Time To Call The Professionals
DIY tree care can only go so far before it’s time to call in the professionals. If you’ve got a job that is potentially dangerous, you don’t have the right tools, you’re not sure of what to do and you need expert advice or you just want someone else to take care of it for you, give your local Arborist a call and get the job done right the first time, without putting yourself or your home at risk.
For the very best in tree care, call Aussie Tree Solutions for a free quote on our professional tree care and maintenance services. We provide a full range of expert tree care services from Consulting Arborists to tree pruning, tree removals and emergency tree services. Whatever your tree issue – we’ve got the solution! Our team of tree care professionals come fully insured and qualified, for your total peace of mind. So forget DIY tree care and let us take care of your tree care needs today.