This spring, you probably have a long to-do list. You may be wondering, “Should contacting a tree pruning service near me be on it?” Trees have been inactive all winter and can often benefit from some extra help and care as they are coming out of dormancy. Here are three things you can do for your trees this spring to make sure they are well taken care of.
1. Fertilizing
Many people mistakenly believe that trees only need water and sunlight to grow. However, trees also need nutrients found in the soil. Winter can be hard on trees, and damage can result. Fertilizer may help them recover.
It isn’t always necessary to fertilize trees, but if you notice damage such as stunted leaves, twig dieback, or discoloured foliage, they could probably benefit from the extra nutrients. Young trees are more in need of fertilization to encourage their growth than well-established trees. To ensure that the soil draws the nutrients down, water thoroughly and make sure to cover the entire area of the root zone with fertilizer.
2. Mulching
In the winter, trees don’t get much moisture for several months. They cope with this by going dormant, but it means that they are in need of water when spring comes. If you can make sure your trees get as much moisture as possible, they benefit from it. One way to do this is to spread mulch around the base of the tree, which helps to prevent water evaporation from the soil. Mulch also helps to maintain a regular temperature in the soil, which is important in early spring as the weather may still be fluctuating, which can be stressful for trees. A layer of mulch can also prevent weeds from growing around your trees and form a barrier to prevent you from accidentally damaging the bark of your tree with your lawn mower.
While mulching your trees can be helpful, you have to do it correctly. If mulch rests right up against the trunk of a tree, it can promote mould growth, so be sure to leave a space around the trunk. Apply a thick layer of mulch, between 7 cm and 10 cm.
3. Pruning
In many cases, early spring is the best time to have your trees pruned. The trees are still dormant when the weather is relatively cold, which helps to promote recovery quickly as the tree comes out of its winter state. Furthermore, the insect pests that may infest a tree are also still dormant in early spring while the trees are still vulnerable. Timing is everything when pruning trees in spring; once the weather warms up in earnest, pruning could put the tree at risk, so you may want to wait until the weather cools down again.
Why You Should Hire Martin’s for Tree Service in Cambridge
If you are only pruning to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches from your tree, you may be able to handle that yourself. However, if you need to trim overgrowth, you could trust professionals who know how to prune effectively. Attempting to prune your tree yourself could cause harm or damage to it.
Pruning a tree could be potentially dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. You may not know in which direction the branches are going to fall, and you could potentially injure yourself or bystanders or do damage to your own or a neighbour’s property. With our training and experience, we know how to prune trees safely. Find out more about our pruning services, and remember that we also perform tree removal, stump grinding, and emerald ash borer treatment.
Steve Martin
