Mulch prevents weeds from getting too close to the tree, retains soil moisture, and creates a barrier against lawnmowers.
Ensuring a tree's long and healthy life starts with proper care practices. However, the internet is full of misinformation, and tree care isn't an exception. Don't fall for these common landscaping and gardening myths:
There's no limit on how much mulch you can add
Mulch prevents weeds from getting too close to the tree, retains soil moisture, and creates a barrier against lawnmowers. Still, too much mulch can also be harmful to the tree.
Ideally, mulch shouldn't be pressed against the tree trunk or deeper than three inches. Otherwise, it could create excessive moisture, attracting insects and bacteria and suffocating the roots.
Treat tree wounds with paint
While most believe tree wounds heal better when painted, this is false. That practice can lead to more damage than leaving the wound open.
Paint can seal in various bacteria on the wound, letting it spread inside the tree. The paint prevents the tree from healing the wound naturally and might cause premature branch breaking or deterioration.
Roots can interfere with sewers
This one is partially false. Despite many homeowners' concerns, tree roots don't inherently break into sewer lines. Tree roots typically stay in the top layers of the soil, away from sewer lines. The only possibility of tree roots reaching and entering sewer lines is when a pipe breaks and leaks water.
Vines growing up the tree aren't harmful
Vines climbing up your tree are one of their worst enemies. They soak up water and nutrients from the ground, leaving less for the tree roots. Vines also cover the tree's surface, allowing less sunlight and preventing homeowners from seeing the damage underneath. Small branches can also break under the weight of the vines.
Removing vines is challenging, so it's best to call a professional tree care service.
Fill tree holes with cement
Arborists have filled hollow trees and tree cavities with cement for a long time. However, this practice proved unnecessary and even damaging to the tree. Despite what people believe, trees are living beings and constantly move. When filled with cement, the solid filling rubs against the rest of the tree, creating wounds.
These new wounds allow bacteria common in tree holes to spread to the healthy parts of the tree. Additionally, cement retains moisture, creating a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.
Topping stops trees from overgrowing
Most homeowners believe that topping can stop the tree from growing too big. However, topping has the opposite effect and can cause significant damage to the tree.
Topping can remove part or all of the tree's crown, reducing its ability to photosynthesize and produce energy. A cut tree then tries to quickly regain the lost foliage, with new sprouts multiplying and growing rapidly. This can eliminate its energy supplies, effectively killing it.
Open wounds on trees also attract insects and can get sunburnt. Both give way to various tree trunk diseases that could kill the tree.
Maintain the trees
Call a professional tree care service if the tree is getting dangerously large compared to your house or interfering with power lines. They'll know how to cut the tree without damaging it and causing even more trouble.
Chuck’s Tree Service offers tree trimming and pruning, and tree removal in Pasco, Hernando and Pinellas Counties. 24/7 emergency service. Call us today at 352-747-8182
