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In many ways, growing flowers is easy. They grow and bloom quickly, and if you ever do need to replace some, it’s as easy as going to the nursery to buy more.

Tree care, on the other hand, can seem like a mystery. They’re so large and grow so slowly that many property owners are stumped (no pun intended) as to how to go about helping them grow their best. If a tree needs to be cut down, it can leave a huge hole in your landscape. Filling that space with another tree can take years!

Healthy trees can add a lot of beauty to your property, whether it’s residential or commercial. So what are some good tips for taking care of your trees?

Here are several things we’ve learned in 20 years of working with trees in and around Dallas, TX.

3 How-to Tips for Good Tree Care

How to Fertilize Large Trees

While most trees are resilient enough to grow just fine with adequate water, they can perform even better with regular fertilizer if it is properly applied. The timing, amounts, and methods of applying fertilizer are all important.

a. Find out if they need it. Established trees may or may not require extra fertilization. If they are part of a lawn that is on a regular fertilization schedule, they may already be getting all the nutrients they need.

An arborist with a reputable tree service can let you know for sure, but some signs that your tree may need fertilization include:

• • • Lack of growth (A healthy mature tree usually averages 6-9 inches of growth annually.)
    • Pale or yellow leaves
    • Dead branches
    • Leaves falling off too early

b. Know when to apply it. The best time to apply fertilizer is in the spring before new growth appears. Do not apply fertilizer to trees from August through winter. In the late summer months, it may stimulate trees to put on too much new growth which then risks damage during the winter months.

c. Apply the right amounts. To find out what nutrients your soil is lacking, it’s best to have your soil tested before applying any fertilizer. For more on this, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a detailed article on “Testing Your Soil: How to Collect and Send Samples” on their website.

All plants need the essential nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in order to thrive. Because trees typically experience nitrogen deficiencies more than a lack of phosphorus or potassium, a fertilizer with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio is good. The first number represents nitrogen, so with those ratios, you’ll end up with several more pounds of nitrogen around your trees than the other nutrients.

For example, a 24-8-16 or an 18-6-12 fertilizer would work well. However, you may need to apply a different ratio based on the results of your specific soil tests. A balanced all-purpose fertilizer such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 can also be used where soil conditions are normal and other woody plants such as shrubs and vines are nearby.

d. Apply it correctly. When you spread fertilizer around trees (and shrubs), be sure to treat the entire area beneath the branches. If you are treating a large mature tree, a third of the fertilizer should be applied beyond the drip line (the outer reaches of the farthest branches).

To make sure you get good coverage, divide the fertilizer into two applications. Spread half of it in rows going North-South and the other half in rows going East-West. Afterward, water the area thoroughly.

How to Mulch Your Trees

Too often, as you’re driving past properties managed by commercial landscape companies, you’ll see what are known as “mulch volcanoes”–deep cone-shaped mountains–around the base of all the trees. Unfortunately, this is not the right way to care for your trees.

Thick piles of mulch around the base of trees may look good, but it actually smothers the roots, preventing adequate airflow, traps moisture against the trunk, attracts rodents, and creates an environment for disease and infestation.

Proper mulching controls weeds and disease, maintains moisture, insulates roots, and protects trees from mower and weed eater damage

How to correctly mulch your trees:

• • • Mulch wide, not deep. Apply mulch 1 inch to 1.5 inches deep
    • Extend it to the drip line or beyond
    • Leave several inches of space around the base of the trunk

How to Prune Your Trees

A good tree pruning service can easily take care of removing dead or damaged branches, but if you decide to do it yourself it’s important that you do it properly to avoid damaging your tree and inviting pests or disease.

We covered this topic in more detail (along with watering and fertilizing) in a recent post on “3 Important Things to Know About Tree Maintenance Services.”

a. Prune small branches with a hand pruner at a 45-degree angle just beyond a bud.
b. Prune large branches with a 3-step method

i. Make the first cut from the bottom of the limb about 18” from the trunk. Only go about halfway through the limb.
ii. Make the second cut from the top beyond the point of the first one. Go all the way through.
iii. Make the third cut near the trunk of the tree just past the “collar” of bark that will naturally close up the wound.

Trust Certified Tree Care Professionals in Dallas

LH Services has been caring for trees in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding areas for decades. We currently service 5,000 trees for our long list of clients.

You don’t have to wonder if your trees are doing ok. If you run into a problem or just need professional advice, you can depend on our in-house arborists for all your tree care needs.

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