By Teri Silver

Trees, no matter how big or small, are genuine forces of nature. When it comes to Mother Nature’s glorious contributions to your home landscaping, a little bit of seasonal maintenance goes a long way in helping these majestic beings stay healthy and productive, all year long.

When looking for affordable ways to increase your home’s value, check out these tree-caring tips that every homeowner should know.

Selection

Adding trees to your property? You will want to choose what works best for the location. Different types of trees can provide windbreaks, privacy, and shade. Strategically placed around the perimeter, larger trees may help to reduce heating and cooling costs.

The USDA plant hardiness zone map lets you know what grows best in your state — for example, you can grow palms and citrus trees in tropical climates like Georgia, Hawaii, Florida and California. Pine trees, cedars, hemlocks, firs, and many other conifers are best for cooler zones.    

Before planting any tree, take note of its projected height, spread, sun exposure, and soil requirements.

Pruning

Pruning off dead leaves, twigs, and branches is among the top maintenance projects for trees — especially before new growth sprouts.

Summer cuts: Prune unwanted shoots when needed. Pruning on a “normal” schedule during the growing season helps keep trees in proper and desired shapes. 

Trimming flowers: Blooms in spring to late summer will eventually fade and fall. Prune trees and shrubs in late winter or early spring.  

Autumn is generally NOT a good time to prune limbs and twigs because it’s the rainy season; decay fungi moves through wind and water. Fungus may develop inside a branch’s slowly-healing wound cuts. Not always visible (as it often is in trunk bark), decaying fungi destroys the inner woody portions of a tree, such as limbs and trunks. 

Watering

Watering trees may not seem necessary, especially if your state gets a lot of yearly rainfall. But dry trees become sick trees … and they can die.

In general, apply water until the top 6 to 9 inches of soil are moist. Don’t skimp on the water–signs of drought stress in trees include full leaf drop, wilted and pale yellow foliage, and broken twigs.

Water in the early morning to allow moisture to fully soak in. Heat, sunshine, wind, and evaporation will dry out the soil.

Watering Newly-Planted Trees

Water newly-planted trees “frequently” (as needed) during the first two years. Native trees generally need a few gallons, three times a week for the first two weeks after planting.

Water twice a week for weeks 3 and 4, and then once weekly for weeks 5 and 6. In winter, water only when temperatures are above freezing.

Mulch 

After watering, apply mulch to the soil around tree and shrub trunks. Mulching preserves the moisture throughout overly-hot days.

Organic mulches — grass clippings, bark, leaves, wood chips, straw, hay, and bone meals — provide natural nutrients to the soil. Synthetic mulches such as brick chips, stones, plastic, and gravel are more long-lasting and protective.

Mulch conserves water, wards off erosion, suppresses weeds, and keeps soil at a consistent temperature. It also helps you see that, while you’re mowing, the cutter is getting too close to the garden or trees. 

How much to mulch? The answer depends on climate, plant age, the type of materials used, and soil texture. On average, about 2 to 4 inches of mulch is doable, depending on how thick the matter is. For example, dense pieces of wood chips protect soils better than thin grass clippings — so you’ll probably need less of them.

More Maintenance Tips

Keep your trees healthy by

• Check for pests and disease. Chewed leaves, weak and falling branches, and discolored bark are indicators that it may be time to engage a professional arborist.
• Wrap young trees in burlap during cold weather freezes. Pound thick stakes into the ground and tie small-trunk trees with burlap or hemp strips to keep them straight, especially in headlong winds.  
• Remove heavy snow and ice from branches. Don’t use any de-icing products that can cause salt burns.

Trees are major focal points of your property; great landscaping and yearly maintenance  can lead to a good selling price.  Want to know what your Atlanta area home is worth? That’s an easy question to answer … right here.  

Teri Silver is a journalist and outdoor enthusiast. She and her husband live on 5 acres with a vast lawn, three gardens, a farm, a pond, many trees, and a lot of yard work! The best parts of the year are summer and fall when home-grown veggies are on the dinner table.