A Quick Guide to Caring for Mature Trees

Whether you own a residential or commercial property, chances are there are trees on the premises. If you have mature, large trees on your property, pruning them is an essential part of their overall maintenance. However, there’s more to caring for mature trees than simply pruning them in the spring. In fact, there are a few critical care steps you can take to keep them healthy year-round. Read on to learn more about how to take care of your mature trees to ensure their health and longevity. 

Water 

Water is essential when caring for a mature tree or any tree, for that matter, young and old. Improper watering can leave your tree dehydrated and more susceptible to pests or disease. On the contrary, overwatering can also jeopardize a tree’s health, causing problems such as root rot and fungus. 

Since mature trees need a little extra care getting your watering schedule down pat is imperative to their health. Always consider the amount of rain that we experience throughout the year, and this will influence the amount of water you give your trees and help prevent over and under-watering. 

Prune

Mature trees should be pruned regularly to eliminate dead branches/limbs and overgrowth. Improper pruning can have devastating effects. Especially if not done by a professional who understands the anatomy of a tree. Pruning can prevent the disease from spreading, pests from calling a dead branch home, and overgrowth, which can stunt the overall health of a tree. Poor pruning techniques can cause more harm than good and can cause the tree to go into shock if too much is taken off. 

Pests and Disease 

Pests and diseases can quickly affect the health of your mature tree. Whether it’s obvious or not, these little creatures, bacteria, and fungus can cause a host of problems within the tree itself. Sometimes the issues are very subtle until they become more apparent to the average property owner. This is why it is essential to have your mature trees inspected by a certified arborist trained to spot these issues. 

Getting to the root of the problem before it gets worse can mean a world of difference. Sometimes, it may be too late to save the tree and ultimately can have it removed or cut down. Typically, this is the case when you need to prevent the disease or pest infestation from spreading to other healthy trees nearby. 

Trees are an essential part of any landscape and can offer a variety of benefits for homes and businesses. If you take care of your trees, you can give them the best chance to grow and to continue providing shade, beauty, and more. The key to a thriving, mature tree is to give it the proper amount of water, nutrients and to care for it as it matures. Following this guide will help make caring for your mature trees a pleasant experience. A certified arborist can help you make this process even easier. Contact SB Tree Service today to learn more about our services and schedule a FREE estimate.