How to Care for Trees

Taking care of the trees on your property helps the environment and keeps your property value high. Trees provide a natural habitat for squirrels, birds and other animals while giving you shade and shelter from the weather. Follow these steps to care for the trees on your property.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Plant trees far enough away from buildings so the fully grown tree won't damage structures. Place a tree far enough away from sidewalks and driveways that the roots won't buckle them as the tree grows and matures.

2. Dig a hole that's twice as round and deep as the root ball of the tree you're planting. Plant the tree and water thoroughly to remove any air pockets from the roots. You may need to stake small trees until they root and take hold of the soil.

3. Mulch around the bottom of the tree at least 3 feet out and about 3 inches deep. Keep the mulch away from area directly around the perimeter of the tree trunk. Mulch keeps moisture in the soil and helps maintain even temperatures.

4. Remove dead branches immediately. The weight of them causes damage to the structure of the tree and if they fall, they can cause more damage to the tree.

5. Prune carefully to maintain the health of the tree. Prune no more than a quarter of a tree each season, and prune just about 1/8 inch above healthy budding or growth. If the main trunk of the tree is at the 12 o'clock position, prune so the remaining branches extend from 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock.

6. Trim branches from the bottom of the tree to no more than 1/3 of the tree's full size. Removing any more branches from the bottom of the tree could kill it.

7. Apply a fertilizer on top of the mulch, but avoid sprinkling it near the tree trunk.

Tips & Warnings

• Newly planted trees require daily watering, while well-established trees need to be watered once or twice a week depending on how hot it is.
• Trees are subject to disease and infestation, depending on their variety. Check with your local garden nursery or landscape consultant if you suspect disease or infestation in your trees.