5 Essential Steps to Protecting Your Trees from Droughts

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Completetree

We all know that droughts can have devastating consequences on our environment, and trees are especially vulnerable. Trees need a steady supply of water to survive, so when drought conditions hit, they may not be able to get the nutrients they need from the soil. That’s why it’s important to take steps to protect your trees during periods of drought.

In this blog post, we’ll go over five essential steps you can take to ensure your trees stay healthy even in dry weather conditions. From proper tree care techniques like mulching and watering correctly, to using protective sprays and choosing drought-tolerant species for your landscape design – these tips will help you maintain beautiful green foliage year round!

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The Negative Affects of Drought on Trees

Drought is a natural phenomenon that can heavily impact the health of trees. These long periods of dry weather can cause damage to the delicate root system of the tree, causing stress and ultimately weakening their overall health. Without adequate moisture, trees struggle to take in nutrients from the soil and they may not grow as well as they typically would. To protect them in times of drought, it is important to provide proper tree care, such as regular watering and mulching. By ensuring that your trees are healthy and well-maintained, you can help them withstand the harsh conditions that come with drought. Remember, prevention is key when it comes to avoiding tree damage during periods of dry weather.

How to Protect Your Trees From Droughts

1. Mulching: One of the best ways to protect your trees from drought conditions is by mulching them. Mulching adds a layer of organic material around the base of the tree, which helps retain moisture and reduce evaporation from the soil. Make sure that you don’t pile the mulch too high; four to six inches should do it.

2. Watering: During periods of extreme drought, it’s important to give your trees extra water if needed. This can be done either through a drip irrigation system or manually with a hose or watering can. When doing this, make sure not to over-water – only give them enough so that they receive adequate moisture without becoming waterlogged.

3. Protective Sprays: If you live in an area with high levels of UV radiation, it may be a good idea to use protective sprays on your trees. These sprays will help reduce transpiration and protect the leaves from drying out in extreme temperatures.

4. Choose Drought-Tolerant Species: Another great way to protect your trees from drought is by choosing species that are adapted to dry climates. Planting drought-tolerant species like Oak trees and Maple trees can help ensure they’ll stay healthy even during periods of low rainfall or water restrictions.

5. Regular Tree Care: Finally, remember that regular tree care is essential for protecting your trees from droughts. Prune your trees regularly and ensure they get enough fertilizer, as this will help them to stay strong and healthy even in dry conditions.

Achieve Year-Round Tree Protection

By following these five essential steps, you can protect your trees from droughts and keep them looking their best year-round! If you need help with tree care or want to learn more about which species are best for drought-prone climates, contact a certified arborist today. They’ll be able to provide expert advice tailored to your specific climate and landscape design needs.

Do you want to get your trees ready for the summer climate? Now is the time to start! Contact Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for comprehensive tree services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients with comprehensive tree care solutions.

Do I Need to Water My Trees?

Posted on September 30, 2022 by Completetree

One of the most important parts of taking care of your trees is to make sure they have adequate water. This is especially true for newly planted trees and young trees. Tree watering is an essential factor in the health and longevity of your landscaping trees; and since trees provide a wide range of benefits and increase property value, it is in your best interest as a homeowner to invest more time and care into your property. It would be difficult to suggest an exact amount of watering for your trees, but with this helpful guide, you will have the knowledge necessary to grow happy, healthy trees.

Continue reading to learn about tree watering, plus where to look for professional tree care solutions when you need it.

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Tree Watering Tips

New or Young Trees

A newly planted tree will require a different level of tree care and watering compared to an older tree. After a new tree is planted, it is important to water it immediately. Continue watering regularly over the next two years of its life. During this time, young trees are exerting a lot of energy to establish strong root systems in the soil. Spring and summer will call for more water than fall since your young tree will have a harder time dealing with drought and heat.

Mulching your trees helps to keep the soil moist and protect your tree’s roots from damage. As for watering, keep in mind that too much water can be just as harmful as not having enough. Soggy soil is too saturated, while damp soil still allows adequate oxygen to permeate the soil and feed the root system. So, it is important to use just the right amount to keep your trees in good health.

How to Water a Tree

It is important to water a tree correctly. Deeply water them for one minute with a garden hose. Avoid using sprinklers since wet bark can be damaging and problematic to a tree. How often you should do this depends on the amount of moisture in the soil. To check, use your garden trowel to penetrate the soil 2 inches deep. Pry the soil back, creating a small narrow trench. Then simply feel the soil and assess how moist it is. If it is dry, it will require more water. If it is wet or damp. It is good for the day!

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What You Need to Know About Daily Tree Root Care

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Completetree

If you have a newly planted tree, it is important to understand and implement daily root care. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about taking good care of your tree’s roots in order to promote strong, sturdy growth for years to come.

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Although they are the least visible part, roots are highly important to the overall health and sustainability of a tree. That is because they are responsible for transporting nutrients throughout a tree. The better care you take of your tree’s root system, the better foundation they are able to create for your tree. You may not be able to protect your tree from every type of damage, but there is plenty you can do to promote optimal growth and health with routine root care. And it all starts with the soil.

Daily and Weekly Root Care

Be sure you are regularly watering your newly planted tree. But keep in mind that too much water can be just as harmful as too little. Use your best judgement to determine when and how much water your tree needs. A general rule of thumb is to check the soil for moisture. Healthy soil is moist, not soggy, mushy, or soaked. If the soil is still adequately moist three inches down, the tree does not need a watering. Just be sure you check it every day by digging 3 inches deep with a garden trowel and touching the soil with your fingers.

In addition to checking for soil moisture every day for the purpose of watering, it is also important to inspect the soil conditions to ensure it is health. As mentioned, healthy soil is moist, not soggy. For the first few months, it is wise to assess the soil’s moisture levels to confirm it is still conducive to healthy root growth. Do this by locating the tree’s dripline, digging a small hole, and inspecting the malleability of the soil. Read our blog, “How to Measure a Tree’s Critical Root Zone”, for help locating your tree’s drip line. If the soil can be formed into a ball, it is healthy.

Seasonal Root Care

At least one time a year, you should manually cultivate the soil beneath your tree. You can accomplish this with ease by using a standard hand cultivator to cautiously loosen the top 2 to 3 inches of soil. This eases compaction, thus allowing water and air to reach the roots. Soil compaction is one of the most common causes for tree decline.

Furthermore, it is important to apply a new layer of mulch to the base of your trees right before every spring season. Mulch is incredibly important to root care for many reasons. Not only does it protect against sun scorch and excessive heat that dehydrates soil, it also acts as a barrier to physically protect exposed roots. Additionally, mulch adds valuable organic matter to the soil. Just be sure to not exceed 2 to 4 inches of mulch, and keep it 6 inches away from the trunk of the tree.

Professional Tree Care You Can Trust

Call Complete Tree Care at 317-783-2518 for Indianapolis tree service you can trust. We are licensed and insured tree care contractors who serve both residential and commercial properties with a wide range of professional tree care services, including stump removal, lot clearing, storm damage clearance, and more. Request an estimate, today.

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