Tree Maintenance
How should I maintain my street trees?
-
Home owners are responsible for:
Mulching
-
Mulch should be no more than two to three inches thick. This includes previous year’s mulch.
-
Mulch should not be mounded up around the trunk of the tree. It should be tapered away from the trunk.
-
Additional top soil or edging should not be added to the top of the mulch. For the health of tree it is important to be able to see the root flare.
Watering
-
Newly installed trees generally require one inch of water every seven to 10 days for the first year after installation.
-
If there is an irrigation system present, be sure to monitor
rainfall levels so you do not overwater. Overwatering can lead to lack of oxygen in the soil, causing stress and possible death for the tree.
General care
-
Exercise caution when applying chemical treatments to your lawn and landscape plants. Some trees are more sensitive to herbicides than others. Remember, most lawn weed killers are designed for broad-leaved plants — of which trees are a member. Be careful how you apply these chemicals around tree trunks and lower branches to avoid overspray.
-
Follow manufacturer’s directions. More is not better.
-
Do not use herbicides to control root sprouts emerging around the tree trunk. These are connected to the tree’s root system. These should be cut back with hand pruners.