Some trees can stand the test of time, like Methuselah, the pine that has lived through thousands of California summers. Then, of course, there are the trees that hold a special place in our hearts. We can enjoy them for most of our lives–if we take care of them. That’s why Rachel, a Davey blog reader from Utah, asked, “We have a really old tree in our yard. I’ve noticed dead twigs and branches, but other than that, it looks healthy.” Show She wanted to know how she could fix it and boost her tree’s health again. What are the secrets to keeping a tree healthy and strong for years to come? How to Make a Tree Healthy Again6 Tree Maintenance Tips to Keep Trees Healthy and Strong
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Pay attention to these four key areas and your trees will remain at a manageable height while producing abundant fruit. Tom Spellman of Dave Wilson Nursery, one of the largest growers of fruit trees in the country, helps gardeners get the most out of their trees by focusing on this checklist
Photo by GAP Photos Before planting a fruit tree, Tom Spellman suggests soaking its root ball in water, fully saturating it. After planting, use a hose to soak the roots, collapsing any air pockets. It can take up to six watering sessions, spread throughout the first day of planting, to thoroughly drench the soil around the root ball. After this initial watering, check the soil’s moisture level with a moisture meter (about $10 at garden centers) to determine how much and how often to irrigate, which changes depending on the season. Using the moisture meter, probe the soil at the drip line (underneath the tree’s outermost branches) in a few spots. Spellman likes to check the soil 18 and 36 inches away from the trunk at different depths after clearing away any mulch. At sunrise, water the tree from the drip line out, and about 1 or 2 feet away from the plant, until the meter reads moist. Plan on taking readings at least once a week during the growing season. Basing the watering schedule on visual cues alone is difficult. “The signs that a tree is over-watered look very similar to ones that it needs water,” Spellman says. “In both cases, the foliage droops and drops because the roots aren’t taking up moisture.” Mulch for Beneficial BacteriaA layer of mulch around the base of the tree does more than moderate soil temperatures and moisture while blocking weeds. The right kind of mulch can boost the biodiversity in the soil, which promotes root growth. Spellman says a 4- to 6-inch-thick layer of mulch is ideal, consisting of as many different types of organic material as possible. His rule of thumb is no one material—compost, wood chips, grass clippings, shredded leaves, pine needles, or wood nuggets—should be more than 10 to 20 percent of the final volume of mulch. Use an online calculator to determine how much volume you need, then mix together bags of varied materials, keeping the best-looking mulch, such as wood chips, to spread as the top layer. Keep the mulch about 6 to 8 inches away from the bark to prevent rot. Switch Up Your FertilizerSpellman uses specific fertilizer formulations based on what he wants from the tree. For the first two or three years after planting, he focuses on growing the tree to a mature height, not producing fruit. For that, he uses a fertilizer consisting of a nitrogen (N) level that is two or three times higher than the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), like a 16-4-8 blend focusing on vigorous green growth. Feed the tree according to the directions on the bag until the tree reaches a manageable height, around 7½- to 8-feet tall. Pruned to stay at that height, a peach tree, for example, produces about 50 pounds of fruit over two weeks, not the 350 pounds a 20-foot-tall version yields in a commercial orchard. Once the tree reaches a size that’s easy to maintain, switch to a fertilizer that supports developing roots, flowers, and fruit. Spread a blend that has a nitrogen level that is two or three times lower than the phosphorus and potassium, like a 3-12-12, so you don’t spend time pruning unwanted growth. Feed in early spring and midsummer. Note: Growing a fruit tree is a long-term project and not one you can necessarily speed up by spending more money on more mature stock. A 7-year-old tree might provide a few more pieces of fruit faster than a 2-year-old one, but what really makes a difference is the time that the plant has spent establishing itself in your yard. Normally, it takes about three years for a tree to acclimate to your conditions before it approaches peak fruit production. Photo by iStock Spellman does most of his pruning during two sessions. He controls the overall size of the tree in the summer, between May and August, by cutting off any branches that extend beyond the established habit. This is also a good time to spray the tree with a garden hose fitted with a high-pressure sprayer; the blast of water is enough to clear dust, cobwebs, aphids, and scale from the tree, but not so strong it will damage foliage. Later, in winter or early spring, more detailed pruning takes care of potential problems like crossed branches, poor air circulation, dead or diseased limbs. Pruning back old wood also rejuvenates the tree. Note: It’s important to properly identify a disease or infestation before spraying anything on a tree. If you don’t know exactly what the disease or insect is, put a damaged leaf or branch in a zip-top bag and take it to a nursery that specializes in fruit trees for a recommended treatment. You can avoid a lot of problems by keeping your fruit tree clean.
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Caring for a tree and watching it grow can be a rewarding experience. It's important to take care of your tree during its first few years so it establishes strong roots and grows to be green and healthy.
Licensed Landscape Contractor This article was co-authored by Mike Garcia and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Mike Garcia is a Licensed Landscape Contractor and the Founder of Enviroscape LA, a full-service landscape design and construction firm in Los Angeles, California. With over 30 years of experience, Mike specializes in sustainable landscape practices. Mike holds an Ornamental Horticulture degree, C-27 Landscape Contractor and D-49 Tree Service Contractor licenses, and Permaculture Design, California Naturalist, International Certified Professional Pond Contractor, and Pond Building certifications. He is one of eight Internationally Certified Pond Builders in the world. Enviroscape LA has won landscape and water feature awards from the International Professional Pond Contractors Association (IPPCA), National Association of Pond Professionals (NAPP), and the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). Mike is a past president of the CLCA and currently serves on their local Board of Directors. Enviroscape LA has been featured in PONDS USA Magazine, Pond and Garden Lifestyles Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Mike has appeared on Extreme Home Makeover, HGTV's Landscapers Challenge, and A & E's series Fix That Yard. This article has been viewed 64,486 times.
Co-authors: 8 Updated: May 19, 2022 Views: 64,486 Article Rating: 64% - 16 votes Categories: Growing Trees and Shrubs
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