Even though you can’t see them most of the time, root systems are highly active and vital components to a tree. As the nutrient-distribution systems of a tree, roots are important to tree vitality, stability, and overall tree health. Not only do they deliver food and water to all parts of a tree, they help create a steady and strong foundation that helps prevent leaning, toppling, and falling over. It is important to take good care of your property’s trees, including their root systems! You can easily achieve this with routine tree service and maintenance.
Continue reading to learn what you can do for your landscaping trees in order to protect and preserve your tree’s root systems for many more seasons to come.
How to Care for Tree Roots Every Day
To protect and preserve your tree’s root system, there are several precautions you can take. First, it is important to protect any exposed tree roots from construction or lawn equipment. Machines like lawn mowers and dozers can damage exposed roots and contribute to the decline of a tree.
You can also water your trees every day to ensure they are receiving optimal levels of hydration and nutrition. However, do not over water your trees; too much water can be just as damaging to a tree as not enough water. Aim for 2 inches of moist soil depth. To test the soil, insert your trowel 2 inches into the ground to form a small trench, and then stick your finger inside to feel for moisture. If it is dry, the tree needs more water; if it is still moist, you can wait to re-test the next day.
Another important part of caring for your trees is to perform regular inspections. Every day, check on the condition and quality of your tree. Take into consideration changes in appearance, growth rates, pest activity, and surrounding environmental factors or influences. When you catch a problem early on, it is much easier to treat and resolve.
A fundamental part of caring for your trees and their root systems is to mulch. Mulching does a lot to protect and preserve a tree. It retains moisture, shields against overexposure to sun and heat, protects against damage and compaction, and even adds beneficial organic matter to the soil. The rule of thumb when it comes to proper mulching is to keep layers between 2 and 4 inches deep, and at least 6 inches from the base of the trunk.
Once a Year
There are some important tasks to implement once or twice a year for your landscaping trees. One important task is to hire professional Noblesville Tree Service for an annual or biannual inspections and routine service, such as trimming, fertilizing, and more.
Another task that you can accomplish on your own is to use a hand cultivator around the base of your tree to loosen up the soil. Not only does this alleviate some compaction, it improves air and water absorption. Be very careful, and loosen only the top few inches of soil.