Trees enrich your property with shade and beauty. When you notice evidence of damage or illness in one of your trees, you might feel like a member of your family has fallen ill. If you avoid the top things that cause damage to trees, you can prolong their lives and secure their health for years to come.
As Bellingham’s professional tree service, our arborists at Timber Tree Service created a list of things that harm trees. Read on to discover what not to do.
#1 Inserting Foreign Objects
A perfectly placed birdhouse or barbed-wire fence tempts many property owners into using their trees as natural posts. However, nails, barbed wire, and screws damage a tree’s first line of defense: its bark. Inserting these items makes them more susceptible to infections and insect attacks.
Similarly, adding concrete to tree holes can also damage tree trunks. The misconception that filling openings with concrete helps trees heal compels property owners to try this tactic. It actually prevents healthy trees from healing properly.
#2 Blunt Force Damage
Like people, trees can sustain damage from blunt force. Trees often fall victim to vehicles, lawn equipment, or other heavy machinery. When such a machine hits the tree at high speeds, it traumatizes exposed areas.
Even coordinated attempts to manage your lawn can have devastating consequences. For example, using a lawn mower too close to a tree can lead to the lawn mower blades causing root damage. The exposed surface roots fall prey to unclean cuts with unsanitized equipment.
Be careful with trees that don’t belong to you, as damaging them can have legal consequences.
#3 Inclement Weather Conditions
Severe storms with strong winds and heavy lightning can quickly lead to your tree’s demise. A lightning strike may split a tree in two. Strong winds can damage pertinent branches or put stress on the root system.
Heavy rainfall leads to erosion, which leaves little for the tree to grasp underground. Use best practices for planting and yearly care to avoid damage to trees from inclement weather.
#4 Chemical Damage
Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides can have unintended consequences that harm a tree’s health. Manufacturers formulate these products to kill different life forms. Sometimes, they also cause collateral damage in the process of eliminating their intended victims.
Research the active ingredients in any pesticidal product before applying it. You can also use mulch to combat weed growth around a tree.
#5 Harmful Pruning Routines
Bad pruning practices can put an untimely end to any tree’s life. Pruning during the wrong season is one common mistake. Prune in the spring when trees focus their growth on their limbs and leaves. Pruning leaves in fall makes them susceptible to permanent injury and disease.
Additionally, using unsanitary or improper equipment to trim trees may lead to their demise. If you don’t own or know how to clean the equipment, consult a professional arborist.
Prevent Damage to Trees
You can prevent irreversible or deadly tree damage by implementing more care into your tree management routine. Implement the following suggestions for healthier trees that can thrive.
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Keep all harmful chemicals away from your trees.
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Only fertilize your trees with appropriate formulas.
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Keep all cutting or trimming equipment sanitized.
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Leave trunks intact by not inserting foreign objects or substances.
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Consult with an arborist when making adjustments.
Contact Timber Tree Service for Emergency Tree Services
Avoid any confusion or hazards associated with tree care by choosing our certified arborists at Timber Tree Service. If you have questions like “How much root damage can a tree take?” or any concerns about whether your practices cause damage to trees, you’ll find answers by consulting with us. Call (360) 441-5033 to learn more.
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