The Importance of Tree Maintenance
Trees add value and beauty to our homes, as well as provide shade and environmental benefits. However, they can also pose a safety threat if left unattended. Proper maintenance can help trees survive, thrive and be a valuable part of our urban environment for years to come.
In addition to keeping them looking their best, regular inspections by an arborist can help to spot problems and catch issues that may not be visible to the naked eye. This includes checking for disease symptoms such as Dutch elm disease, oak wilt or canker fungus, and assessing the overall health of a tree to ensure it is structurally sound. In some cases, an arborist will use diagnostic tools like sonic tomography or tree coring to determine if a tree has internal decay, structural stability issues or root rot that cannot be detected with a visual inspection.
Proper pruning keeps a tree healthy by removing dead or obstructive branches, improving air flow and light penetration, and stimulating new growth. It can also prevent limbs from interfering with power lines or damaging structures. A trained professional can prune trees to a safe and healthy height while maintaining their natural form and shape.
It is important to remove any weeds and grass from the area around the base of a tree, as they can compete with the roots for water and nutrients. A layer of mulch can help conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds, while providing an added benefit of protecting the roots from lawn mowers and string trimmers. However, it is important to avoid putting mulch too close to the trunk of a tree as this can block oxygen from reaching the roots.
A trained and certified arborist can recommend a variety of treatments to help keep a tree healthy. This could include pruning to remove diseased or insect-infested limbs, spraying the trunk with insecticides or applying fungicides to control disease and pests. In some cases, the only option may be to remove a damaged or dying tree before it poses a risk to property or people.
In an era where budget constraints are forcing many organizations and public agencies to cut services, reduce staff or increase taxes, finding ways to improve efficiency is crucial. Arborists are constantly searching for ways to work more quickly and effectively, while ensuring that their work is high quality and meets the needs of the client. For example, some agencies are now computerizing their tree inventories and tracking the time it takes to prune each species of a particular size and severity. This allows them to develop cost figures for maintenance by season, species and size, which helps when planning a budget or revising a master list of the types of tree that should be planted in an area. This data can be used to prioritize trees that need the most care.
source https://experttreeremovalptyltd.wordpress.com/2025/03/09/the-importance-of-tree-maintenance-2/
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