The trees at your home contribute to more than just the curb appeal. Trees add quality to your environment and provide important benefits to your home like shade, fruit, visual appeal, and protection from wind. As we enter in to a brutal Houston summer, it’s important to keep in mind that your trees also need a little help from you to stay healthy through the heat.
The summer has just arrived, so now is the time to start planning how best to keep your trees healthy through the long, hot months. There are a number of dangers trees face during the summer—dehydration, lack of nutrition, and pest infestations to name a few—but there are also a number of simple strategies you can use to nurture your trees through this time. Watering regularly, using mulch, appropriate fertilization, and knowing the when and how of residential tree trimming will keep your trees growing strong year-round.
Mulch
Layering mulch around the base of your trees helps retain moisture. This is especially important for young trees whose root systems are still close to the surface. Spread the mulch in a two to three-foot-diameter circle around the tree, taking care to not pile the mulch up like an anthill. It is very important to leave space between the mulch and the bark of the tree; this will prevent moisture buildup and rotting. Ideally, the mulch should be about two inches deep in total.
Water
Watering your tree seems straightforward, but there are some things to remember to make sure you provide the most benefits possible during the heat of the summer in Houston. Overwatering can be prevented by watering your trees slowly. This will allow trees to better absorb the water. A drip or sprinkler system is a good way to ensure a consistent, slow application. Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day or when the sun is at its highest. Water evaporates quickly during the warmest hours, so your trees may not absorb the water provided. Watering during evenings or early mornings is best. Make sure the ground around each tree is thoroughly irrigated during every watering. You need to provide enough moisture to keep your trees hydrated until the next time you water. But remember not to overwater—adding more than a tree will be able to absorb can cause root rot.
Fertilizer
Healthy trees withstand summer heat and drought better than those that lack important nutrients. Using fertilizer adds essential nutrients to the soil and the healthier the soil, the healthier the tree. Knowing when to add fertilizer and what type of fertilizer to use takes some research and practice. This is where Embark comes in! We are here to manage the proper tree fertilization program for the betterment of your trees.
Pruning
Tree pruning is a necessary step in caring for the trees on your property. But is summer the best time to do this? Quality residential tree trimming requires both skill and knowledge. During the hottest months of summer, it’s best to only remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches. You want to remove anything that might be dangerous during a storm or high winds, especially with the frequency of hurricanes in the Houston area.
Pruning trees at the wrong time or in the wrong way can cause unnecessary damage and stress for your trees, so don’t take a chance and guess. Contact our team of certified arborists for a free tree evaluation.
Maintaining a healthy tree-scape only takes a few easy steps to care for your trees—mulch, water, fertilizer, and pruning—and it’s worth it. Not only will these efforts save you energy and money in the future but bringing your trees through the hot summer healthy and strong will mean a longer life for them and years of beauty and benefits for you and your home.
