How to take good care of trees and fruit-bearing trees

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.”

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 Again 

6 Tree Maintenance Tips to Keep Trees Healthy and Strong

  1. Plant the right tree in the right place. Pick a tree meant for your area, then, find a spot that will get enough sun and provide enough space for its full-grown canopy. Before you dig, make sure it’s not too close to power lines, underground utility lines or your home. Finally, don’t plant it too deep! That’s the number one mistake our Davey arborists see.
  2. Properly water. Just like any other plant, you need to water trees! If it hasn’t rained for several weeks, check to see if your tree needs a drink. Usually, mature trees need one inch of water a week. New trees require somewhere between 4 to 10 gallons each week during the first growing season or two.
  3. Mulch. Mulch insulates tree roots, protects them from lawn mower cuts and helps prevent dry soil. Help your tree reap these benefits by removing grass underneath the tree and spreading 2-to-4 inches of mulch. Be careful not to cover the base of the trunk.
  4. Fertilize. In the forest, natural plant materials feed the soil around trees. But in our yards, we rake and remove all those natural nutrients, like leaves and grass clippings. Fertilizer solves that problem. Apply a slow-release fertilizer regularly to release nutrients into the soil. Also, test your soil periodically to see if any elements are missing or in short supply.
  5. Prune. Proper trimming improves trees’ structure while also removing any deadwood holding them back. Do major pruning when the tree is dormant and doesn’t have any leaves (if possible). Then, in summer, focus on tidying up and clearing out small, dead or damaged twigs.
  6. Book checkups. Scheduling your annual checkup? Make an appointment for your tree, too! Spotting signs of pests or diseases early can make all the difference. ISA Certified Arborists® look for red flags like discolored leaves, cankers, holes, and more. Then, they provide a plan of action on how to help.

Ready to help boost your tree’s health? Have an expert provide a free consultation.

How to take good care of trees and fruit-bearing trees

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 Bacteria

A 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 Fertilizer

Spellman 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.

How to take good care of trees and fruit-bearing trees

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.

How to take good care of trees and fruit-bearing trees
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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.

  1. 1

    Water your tree thoroughly right after you plant it. Watering your tree right away will help settle the soil and mulch, and it will give the roots moisture they need to start growing. Don't soak the soil around your tree. Spraying it with a gardening hose for 30 seconds should give it enough water.[1] X Research source Go to source

  2. 2

    Keep the soil moist if your tree is less than 2 years old. Whenever the soil looks dry, water your tree with a garden hose for about 30 seconds. Young trees need lots of water so they can establish their roots in the soil. Don’t over water your tree though, or you could cause root rot. The soil should be moist, not soaking wet. [2] X Research source Go to source

    • To check if the soil is moist enough, insert a garden trowel 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the soil and pull it out. Stick your finger down in the hole and to see if the soil feels moist. If it doesn’t, your tree needs to be watered.[3] X Research source Go to source

  3. 3

    Cut back on watering your tree after it's older than 2 years. After 2 years, the roots on your tree should be established and it won't need as much water to grow. If you live in an area that gets regular rainfall, you won't need to worry about watering your tree , unless it's a species that needs a lot of water. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to water your tree regularly to keep it healthy.[4] X Research source Go to source

    • Look up your species of tree online to find out specific watering recommendations.

  1. 1

    Mulch your tree as soon as possible after you plant it. Mulching a newly-planted tree is important because it insulates the roots from extreme temperatures and helps keep them moist. Mulch can also serve as a visual for where you shouldn't mow when you mow your lawn.[5] X Research source Go to source

  2. 2

    Clear any grass within a 3–10 foot (0.91–3.05 m) area around your tree. The exact size of the area you should clear depends on how big your tree is. For a smaller tree, clear a smaller area, and for a bigger tree, clear a bigger area. Use a rake or tiller to clear away the grass.[6] X Research source Go to source

  3. 3

    Spread a 3 inch (7.6 cm) layer of natural mulch around your tree. Wood chips or pieces of bark will work. Make sure the layer of mulch is at least 3 feet (0.91 m) in diameter.[7] X Research source Go to source

  4. 4

    Leave a 3 inch (7.6 cm) ring between the trunk and the mulch. This prevents the mulch from smothering your tree. The flare of the trunk shouldn't be covered with mulch.[8] X Research source Go to source

  1. 1

    Remove dead branches from your tree throughout the year. Routinely pruning off dead branches will keep your tree looking healthy. Dead branches will be leafless, and the bark may be falling off them.[9] X Research source Go to source

  2. 2

    Avoid excessive pruning if your tree is less than 3 years old. You want your tree to have as much leaf space as possible for its first few years so it can get more nutrients and develop strong roots. Only prune off dead or broken branches during the first 3 years of your tree’s life.[10] X Research source Go to source

  3. 3

    Start pruning your tree annually after its older than 3 years. Try to prune your tree during the winter to encourage growth. Once a year, prune excessive or undesirable branches from your tree so there’s less competition for water and nutrients. When your tree starts to develop a shape, cut back branches that extend out of the lines of the shape you want.[11] X Research source Go to source

  4. 4

    Avoid leaving stubs when you make cuts on your tree. Stubs can cause your tree to develop disease or pest problems. When you prune your tree, make your cut lines right where the branch collar ends and the branch begins. The branch collar is the raised, volcano-shaped section of the branch that’s connected to the rest of the tree.[12] X Research source Go to source

    • Avoid making cuts that are flush with your tree. Always cut outside of the branch collar.

  5. 5

    Prune any sprouts growing out of the base of your tree. Sprouts, also called suckers, are thin shoots that steal water and nutrients from the rest of the tree they’re growing off. Use sharp pruning shears to clip the sprouts off as close to the soil or trunk of your tree as you can. If there are sprouts that are too thick to cut with shears, use loppers to clip them off instead.[13] X Research source Go to source

  6. 6

    Prune branches that are growing in toward the trunk of your tree. This will prevent branches from crossing each other and ruining the shape of your tree. Use pruning shears, loppers, or a hand saw to cut the branches off right outside the branch collar.[14] X Research source Go to source

  • Question

    How does a tree grow step by step?

    How to take good care of trees and fruit-bearing trees

    How to take good care of trees and fruit-bearing trees

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    A tree moves from a seed into a sprout. The infancy stage after this is called seedling. After this, it reaches the teen years called a sapling then becomes an adult mature tree. Once it ages through this, a tree is in the elderly age of decline until it dies.

  • Question

    How can we help trees?

    How to take good care of trees and fruit-bearing trees

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    We can help by planting more trees. Also, using guards to protect trees from machines and even other animals can be helpful. Focus on using organic fertilizers and grow trees that are valuable or produce fruits.

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Co-authored by:

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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