Growing the Next Generation

Written by: Certified Master Arborist, Kyle Babicky

Posted: 2021 | Plant Health Care | Spring | Tree and Shrub Care | Tree and Shrub Planting

Example of good structural pruning.
Image credit: TreesAreGood.com

Planting a new tree can be a fun and exciting experience for homeowners. You did your research and selected the perfect tree for a long-term investment in your landscape. You might watch this tree grow alongside your children, and your children’s children. With any new addition to the family, you nurture them to grow into a strong, healthy adult and live a long, happy life. You may even want your new “family member” to pass on a legacy for future generations.

With that in mind, Wachtel’s staff of Certified Arborists want to help ensure the health and longevity of your new tree(s). Three main things to focus on are: A healthy root system, maintaining good branching structure, and deterring harmful insects and diseases.

Ideally, this new tree was planted at the proper depth in a location that it can thrive. With newly planted trees, supplemental watering of the root area might be needed during drought periods. A layer of wood chip mulch should be maintained at a depth of 2 to 4 inches on top of the root area, but also not burying the root flare. It is important to maintain this root flare above soil and mulch throughout the tree’s life. If you can’t see the root flare or are unsure what to look for, ask for our help! We are trained to detect and treat rooting issues before they impact tree health.

Developing proper branch structure needs to be a proactive process throughout a tree’s life. A young tree should typically be pruned every 1 to 3 years (depending on growth rate and form) to maintain a strong central stem and good branch spacing. As the tree becomes older, a longer cycle (3 to 7 years) may be adequate. If proper pruning is neglected in a tree’s early years, structural weaknesses often develop.

Finally, we want to limit any insects and diseases that could harm your tree. Maintaining a strong, healthy tree is the first step to keeping most pests away. However, some insects and diseases can still appear regardless of tree health. Consult with your Certified Arborist to check if there are appropriate treatments to deter insects or diseases becoming an issue on your tree.

At Wachtel, we are happy to discuss tree care strategies with you. It’s always helpful for the health of your trees to stay ahead of issues, rather than trying to recover from them. Contact us to develop a care plan for your trees so they can live happy and healthy in your landscape for generations to come!