Mature Tree Care and Tree Removal

Trees can make or break a property's appearance. If tree care is done well and regularly, the benefits can be quite plentiful. A poorly maintained tree, on the other hand, can be a headache as well as an eyesore.

Checking Your Tree's Health
To make sure that a tree's problems are nipped in the bud, homeowners should do a yearly inspection of the mature trees on their property and more frequent inspections of new trees.

To tell if your tree is healthy, you should check four things: leaf size and appearance, the number of new buds and leaves, twig growth, and the appearance of the uppermost branches of the tree. If there seems to be a dramatic change in any of these from the previous year, it's likely that the tree is having some health issues.

Homeowners should also be aware of any insect populations on the tree. While the presence of some insects is normal, any indication of a large number of insects on or in the tree is a bad sign and should be further investigated.

Tree Care Techniques
Regular tree care can optimize growing conditions and will help keep an already healthy tree in prime condition.

Pruning is often necessary to remove dead or diseased branches, or to keep branches from becoming an obstruction. Dead and diseased branches should be disposed of immediately and kept away from the tree to prevent disease and insects from spreading. While pruning is often a necessity, it should be done as sparingly as possible; no branch should be cut unless there is a reason to cut it. Pruning very large trees can be dangerous if the proper techniques and equipment is not used and could be grounds for hiring a professional.

Mulching, while a common form of tree care in young trees, can also be very beneficial to the health of mature trees as well. Mulch keeps the ground around a tree's roots wet for a longer period of time after water or rain, which promotes growth no matter how old the tree is. Mulch should not cover any part of the tree's trunk, as excess moisture there could lead to decay.

When dealing with fertilizer, it is important to remember that a tree's roots often extend much farther than its branches. Putting fertilizer on a lawn may affect the tree, even if it looks like there is enough distance between it and the point of application. If your tree is already growing well, the application of fertilizer might be detrimental.

Too Little, Too Late
When tree care begins after a problem has already taken hold, tree removal might be the only option. If the upper parts of the tree have ceased growing new limbs or there is noticeable insect damage, decay, or a large number of mushrooms visible, your tree is likely in trouble. Contact an arborist if you think your tree is in the process of dying; if it can or should be saved, they will give you an idea of how much work will be involved to do so. They might also recommend a more suitable species to replace the tree if it needs to be removed. Only a professional should perform large tree removal, as the process is quite dangerous to people and property alike.