Caring for your trees during the summer can help improve the health of your landscape throughout the rest of the year. In hopes of maintaining a beautiful lawn this season, homeowners in Medford, Oregon can use the following 5 tree care tips as a guide to help keep their trees as healthy as can be.
Mulch
If you did not have time to mulch your trees during the past spring, the summer is the best time to do so. Mulching your trees is a vital task because it decreases weed counteraction, equalizes the soil temperatures, and assists with preserving soil moisture. Be sure to mulch your trees with three to four inches of hardwood mulch. The proper technique of mulching trees is to arrange a donut shape around the foundation of the tree without putting mulch against the trunk.
Irrigation
Watering your trees might be necessary due to the excess heat in the summer months, particularly if your trees are young or recently planted. Keep in mind that your average tree will require one inch of water each week. Watering your trees deeper and less often can help support healthy root growth.
Fertilize
A crucial part of tending to your trees in the summer is ensuring they have enough nutrition to promote the growth of their leaves and fight against potential illnesses and pests. If you have a tree growing in a high-pressure, unnatural area, such as an urban or suburban atmosphere, your tree may have additional fertilization needs.
Prune
Though the optimal time to prune your trees is during the dormant periods, there are a couple occasions when your trees require summer pruning. If you notice your tree has decaying or dead branches, prune them immediately to protect your tree’s health as well as your safety. You should prune trees that flower in the springtime, such as cherry, magnolia, and lilac trees, in the early stages of summer, right after they have bloomed completely.
Tree Pest Inspections
Check your trees for pests on an ongoing basis during the summer. Though most insects pose no threats to trees, identifying pest issues before they grow worse is the best means of handling them and minimizing the damage they can inflict on your trees.
