Your once-lush, thriving tree now looks droopy and sad. Maybe its foliage has turned an unappealing shade of yellow or shed leaves even though fall is nowhere on the horizon. Can you save your sickly tree? With the right care, yes.
Below, learn how to save a stressed tree, then call us for tree services in Merritt Island, FL.
Give Your Tree the Right Amount of Water
Mature trees can go for quite some time without watering, but for young, not-yet-established trees, it’s a different story. During the first year of your tree’s life, you’ll need to provide supplemental water. Moisten the soil to a depth of 12-18 inches around the tree from the trunk to a bit beyond the drip line, which extends slightly past the tree’s canopy.
While it’s important to give water to your tree, it’s equally as important that you don’t provide too much. Overwatering can deprive the tree’s roots of oxygen and cause root rot, which is difficult to correct. Only water when the soil around the tree feels dry. If you want to know how to save a stressed tree, call an arborist. They can tell you more about proper watering for trees.
Determine an Appropriate Tree Pruning Schedule
Large, lush trees certainly are beautiful, but avoid letting your tree grow unchecked. By doing so, branches can grow in unwanted directions, which can cause bark damage to the tree. Additionally, if the upper canopy becomes too thick, it starves the lower foliage of sunlight, causing those leaves to turn yellow and die.
Arborists recommend pruning your tree in late winter or early spring before the tree has begun to put out new growth. Never remove more than one-third of the tree’s growth at each pruning; removing more can stress the tree.
Get Rid of Pests and Diseases
Wondering how to save a stressed tree? Be on the lookout for pests and diseases.
Pests and diseases can do serious damage to your tree in almost no time at all. That’s especially true here in Merritt Island, where the warm, humid weather allows insects to thrive. If your tree begins to decline, suspect a disease or pest infestation as the culprit.
Before you reach for that bottle of pesticide or fungicide, it’s smart to call an arborist to learn more about pest and disease control for trees. They’ll identify the disease or critter bothering your tree and determine the proper treatment method.
Mulch Your Tree Properly
Many homeowners think that mulch just sits there to look pretty, but it offers much more than that. A thick layer of mulch helps your tree retain moisture, a critical action during our scorching summers here in Merritt Island. Mulch also helps keep pests and weeds at bay.
What are the proper mulching techniques for trees? Layer 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the tree, extending the mulch out to the drip line. Don’t pile mulch against the tree’s trunk. You want the root collar (where the trunk and roots meet) to remain visible.
Call an Expert Arborist for Help
The very best way to save a stressed tree is to call a professional arborist from East Coast Arbor Pro. Our arborists are experts at keeping trees healthy and giving them the helping hand they need to recover from stress. Our ISA-Certified arborists can help you with proper watering, pruning, soil improvement for trees, and more.
Why choose us for tree care? We’re locally owned and operated, fully licensed, and staffed by arborists who know and love trees. To learn more about how to save a stressed tree, call East Coast Arbor Pro at (321) 917-9342.
