Posts Tagged Tree Care

Taking Care of your Trees in Summertime

June 30, 2012 at 10:45 pm · Filed under Plants, seasonal landscaping, Southern California Landscaping, Summertime, Summertime plants, Trees ·Tagged , ,

Summertime can be a very stressful time for trees, especially new trees.  Here are some tips for tree care:

– Keep the area around your tree mulched, but don’t pile the mulch up against the trunk.  Also, realize that the roots of your tree spread out far and wide, so mulch all around your tree – to the drip line if possible.  This will help fill the soil around your tree with nutrients, and help keep water in the soil for the tree to drink.

– If you see leaf wilt or have hard soil, try giving your tree a long, slow drink.  If you have soaker hoses, these are ideal because they will gradually soak the ground around the tree.

– Try not to plant new trees or move trees in the summertime.   If at all possible, plant in the late fall, winter, or early spring.  Trees during this time are more dormant and can concentrate their energy on new root growth.  If planting must happen now, consult with your landscaper to find out how to make the transition as easy as possible on the tree.

– Do not get your trees trimmed during the summertime.  This depends on the tree, but the majority of trees can contract diseases if pruned during summer.  However, if you see a dead branch on your tree, or your tree is jeopardizing the safety of you or others, get it trimmed back.  Just don’t do any kind of heavy pruning.

Here’s to long, lazy summer days in the shade of your healthy trees.

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Trees and the Heat

July 24, 2010 at 4:40 am · Filed under landscaping, Landscaping Tips, Plants, Summertime, Trees ·Tagged , , , ,

As I’ve mentioned previously, it’s been pretty darn hot. Lawns are drying up, sprinkler water is partially evaporating before hitting the ground and air conditioners are going full blast.

So, what does this mean for your trees?

It can be hard to tell how your tree is doing when it comes to moisture. Cheaper moisture meters aren’t very accurate and there’s no way to tell by just looking at the soil if it’s too dry. The best way to ensure your tree is doing ok moisture-wise (without waiting for the leaves to wilt) is to dig up some of the soil with a trowel or use a metal rod. You can insert the rod into the soil. If there is an unusual amount of resistance, this can indicate a lack of moisture.

Another way to ensure your tree actually receiving enough water is to water it at low pressure. Some people blast the leaves, trunk or soil for a few seconds and expect that to be sufficient. A better action is to set the hose on low and allow the water to soak the soil for a few minutes. This will allow the water to sink through the soil and get into the root system.

Finally, keep an eye out for disease or dead leaves and nip them in the bud by pruning them back. Note that summer pruning is a tricky business – you do not want to cut the tree back like you would in winter when it’s dormant. You just want to trim off the diseased or dead areas and that is literally it. So, don’t go hog-wild and hire a professional if you’re unsure about what to do.

Check out this website for awesome landscaping tips and info on summer care of your yard.

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