The Importance of Tree Services for Maintenance and Care
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The Importance of Tree Services for Maintenance and Care

There are many reasons why people choose to plant trees on their property, which include to improve the appearance of the landscape and to provide shade. It's often necessary for homeowners to contact a tree service to trim their trees, care for diseased trees and to remove trees. We aren't affiliated with tree service professionals but we think homeowners should understand the importance of tree specialists and why their services are needed. We researched tree care and talked to professionals in the tree service industry to obtain the information we needed for this blog. As you read these articles, you'll learn when it's necessary to contact a tree service to maintain and care for your trees.

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The Importance of Tree Services for Maintenance and Care

Pruning Tips To Prevent Tree Disease

Lynn Lee

Healthy trees are a wonderful addition to any landscape, but unfortunately, diseases and pests can destroy the health of your trees. Proper pruning practices that focus on disease and pest prevention can help keep your trees in good shape. The following are some pruning sanitation tips that will help.

Sterilize Your Tools

A major vector for tree diseases is the tools used to prune them. Shears and saws are exposed to diseases in the sap and bark residue that is left on the tools. In some cases, insect eggs may also hitch a ride on the tools. To prevent such spread, clean and disinfect your tools after each use. A diluted solution of bleach, kept in a bucket nearby, works well. You can dip the tools in the bucket as you move between trees. Another option is to wipe down the tools with rubbing alcohol between trees.

Avoid Dull Tools

Dull tools, just like dull knives, can be dangerous. Not only is there the risk of the tool slipping and causing injury to you, but there is also a risk to the tree. A sharp tool makes a clean cut, which a tree will promptly heal over. A dull tool leaves behind jagged bark and wood, and it may even cause damage, which slows the healing time and makes the tree more susceptible to diseases and pests. Clean and oil your tools before putting them away to help them stay sharp, and have them professionally sharpened as necessary.

Clean Up Trimmings

Don't leave the trimmings on the ground once you are finished pruning. Those trimmings, from the smallest twigs to a pile of leaves, can harbor insects, insect eggs, and disease-causing organisms. After you are done pruning, rake up all the clippings for disposal. This tip is also important in fall after trees naturally drop their leaves. Fully rake so that pests and diseases can't overwinter in your yard.

Know When to Compost

Composting is a wonderful way to clean up leaves and small tree trimmings so you can reuse the resulting compost in your gardens or around your trees. To be safe, don't add trimmings from a tree that has been suffering any pest or disease problems. Many home compost piles do not get hot enough to kill off these pathogens, so you could spread the problem to healthy trees when you use the compost.

For more help, contact a tree trimming service in your area.


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