Without a doubt, you would never put your tree in harm’s way. At least, not on purpose. As a property owner, you might be unaware of some of the smaller actions that could harm your tree big time. And that is fine! The essential thing is that you find out what’s bad for your trees so you can make the right decisions later on. Let us jump into a few common tree care mishaps that should be avoided at all costs.
Girdling my Tree
Girdling is the tough process of removing a thin ring of bark from around a tree. It is usually done on fruit trees as a way of prompting them to produce more fruit. Sure, girdling can be useful. But does it do more harm than it does good? The verdict? Yes, girdling is on the list of things that can kill your trees—cutting bark blocks the flow of nutrients from the leaves all the way down to the roots. When roots are cut from their food source, that is what causes a tree to die.
Placing Mulch Too Close to a Tree’s Trunk
Mulch is beneficial to trees. It balances out soil temperature, it conserves any moisture, plus it even helps control pesky weeds. All those benefits make it seem as if you could never go wrong with mulching. But that is not quite the case. How do we harm trees with mulch? The verdict? Mulch piled up onto a tree’s trunk creates plenty of moisture, leading to decay. And decayed bark is very weak, which means the tree’s foundation won’t be very sound. The good news is that you now have the ability to avoid these threats by mulching your trees properly and allowing a two to three-inch buffer between mulch and tree trunk.
Using Screws, Nails, or Staples on a Tree
If you’re looking to leave your mark on a tree, screws, nails, or staples could be involved. But will poking your tree cause damage? The verdict? Although it isn’t a good idea to drill into a tree, it’s a bit of a toss-up. Healthy, older trees can usually withstand minor drilling and nails, but trees that are weaker for whatever reason, or trees that have thin bark, should never be drilled or nailed. For an expert opinion on which kind of tree you should nail or drill, call Harford Tree today!
Tree Care and Maintenance from Harford Tree
Ready to have the beautiful yard you have always dreamed of? Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping, Inc has been in the business for decades, providing customers with quality work and quick responses all at the right price. We service the areas of Harford County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City areas including Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White Marsh, and Middle River. For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business and more informative tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.