Tips for Keeping Your Trees Healthy

All trees are unique in their requirements for what can help them grow and what may cause them to struggle, but like any other living organism, pests and disease can infect your trees and cause them to wilt, wither, and eventually die. However, there are tricks, techniques, and preventative measures you can use to protect your trees, helping them to live long, healthy lives. If you are looking to add a tree to your property, you can prevent problems early on by asking yourself a few questions:

1. "What purpose is the tree meant to serve?": Trees can be strictly for aesthetic purposes, but they can also be practical investments meant to add value to property or provide shade to areas to outdoor spaces.
   
   
2. "Can the tree I want planted thrive here?": All plants need their requirements for hardiness zones, soil types, moisture levels, and sun exposure met in order to survive and thrive in the conditions given to them, including trees. If you want to plant a tree that can live for its full lifespan, it's important to consider if the type of tree you want to survive in your area's weather patterns and average climate.

For trees that are already planted on your property, here are some tips to help keep your tree healthy!

• Pruning: Tree pruning removes the dead and diseased branches, preventing disease from spreading throughout the rest of the tree. Depending on the tree and the season, pruning can provide various benefits, such as preparing for new growth in the winter and in the summer for corrective purposes.
  
  
• Watering: Watering newly planted trees helps to establish the roots, and after planting, you should continue watering your tree consistently for the first two years to keep the soil moist enough for the roots.
  
  
• Mulch: Mulch helps to retain moisture and to provide insulation, which properly distributes and retains heat for the roots. Mulch will also help to protect your tree from lawn maintenance equipment, such as a lawn mower.