Written by Laura Firszt and published on https://www.networx.com/.
A pole saw can come in handy for easy to reach limbs that need a quick trim, but knowing where to draw the line on DIY tree work can be a bit more complicated. We want you and your trees healthy and happy that’s why we created a Do’s and Don’ts list when it comes to do-it-yourself tree work!
Tree Care – DIY Or Call A Pro?
Did you know that – just like human
beings — trees can feel stress? Newly planted young saplings or any
trees growing in an urban setting are especially vulnerable. And a
stressed-out tree is not a healthy tree. So keep the trees on your
property with a hearty helping of TLC. If you’re the green-thumbed type,
you may want to do a lot of tree care yourself, although some of the
work is better left to an arborist or professional landscaper. Read on
to find out which tree care tasks you can DIY … and when to call a tree
service pro.
Planting
DIY: Selecting and planting a young tree
is a fun and rewarding DIY task. There’s something about planting a
tree in your very own yard that says, “This is my home.” Get the kids on
board and take plenty of photos. TIP: Before you dig a hole for your
new tree, contact a one-call number to make sure you won’t be hitting
any underground utility lines.
Call a Pro: For large-scale planting, such as when you’ve just moved into a new house with a lot of outdoor space,
call a pro. Experienced landscape contractors have both the know-how
and the equipment to install trees and other plants quickly and well.
Even before planting begins, a professional landscaper will be able to
remediate construction-damaged soil to ensure healthy growth.
Feeding and Watering
DIY:
It’s not only garden plants that need fertilizer treatment. Trees also
benefit from occasional feeding. Fertilize once annually, in April-May
(after the last frost) or October for healthier, hardier trees, which
will stand up better to storms and winds. As a DIYer, you can feed your
trees by either broadcasting fertilizer or inserting a spike in the
soil. You’ll have to water, as part of your tree care program, until
young trees have been established for 2 years. Excessively dry weather
may make watering older trees necessary, as well.
Call a Pro: Consult a landscaping expert
to find out the right kind of fertilizer for your trees and soil type,
as well as the best application method. Ask about when to water or use
other methods of keeping roots moist, such as mulching. If you are busy
(or forgetful!), consider setting up an ongoing tree service plan with
your landscaper.
Protection
DIY:
We humans are not the only tree lovers; many animals enjoy them too …
as a tasty meal! Protect tender tree trunks from hungry deer and rodents
with a store-bought plastic tree guard or a homemade version, fashioned
from chicken wire or bark cloth. Shelter young trees and bushes from
winter snowfalls with teepee-like frames or burlap wrappings.
Call a Pro: You’ll
be better off enlisting the help of a pro when it comes to safeguarding
your trees from ruthless insect pests, such as the emerald ash borer or
spider mites.
Another type of tree protection to ask your landscaper about is
preventing collisions by mowers and other lawn care equipment.
(Surrounding each tree with a circle of mulch and some form of barrier
is often advised.)
Trimming and Thinning
DIY: As
a home gardener, you might want to try your hand at Tree Trimming 101.
Don’t just charge in there, though, or you may do your tree more harm
than good. Slow down and start by learning the basic cuts. Tackle only pruning work that you can do standing safely on the ground.
Call a Pro: Leave major tree trimming jobs
to the experts. A good rule of thumb is that any tree trimming work
which requires a ladder — or a lift — is a job for tree service pros.
Besides branch trimming, fruit and nut trees need a special kind of tree care. They should be thinned every year in early summer; that means removing a certain amount of unripe fruit so that the remaining apples, plums, or pears will mature to a good size and flavor. We recommend having a pro do this at least the first time. If you watch and learn, you can try it yourself next year.
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