Trees are one of the most expensive parts of soft landscaping on any planting project. To protect this investment maintenance from an early age is esential.
Tree practice offers a complete service tailored to the care of young trees for the first 5 years post planting. The essential elements include
- Watering
- Weed control
- Mulching
- Formative Pruning
- Staking
Watering
Without question the single most important aftercare for a young tree, post planting is sufficient watering. We can offer this service on a weekly or fortnightly bases carried out by competent staff to ensure that individual trees are getting sufficient water where and when they need it.
Weed Control
Competition from mown grass and weeds is yet another reason why young trees fail within in their first few years. Weeds and particularly regularly mown grass use up valuable moisture that is essential for young trees. Controlling weeds and grass within a one metre radius of the base of the tree can significantly increase the chances of survival. This is done using a residual herbicide applied in granular form once a year.
Mulching
Mulching together with watering and weed control serves to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds and most importantly improves soil structure improving soil porosity and micro organism activity. We carry out this task in the winter months using a specific grade of organic mulch suitable for trees only
Formative pruning
Removal of crossing branches, dead wood, broken or damaged branches and pruning for shape. This type of pruning dramatically reduces the chances of having to carry out costly tree surgery later on in the trees life and can also help to remove potential structural weaknesses. We time our pruning operation to ensure that the tree will maximise its growth during the following season
Tree Ties and Staking
Tree ties and staking both vital parts to the successful establishment of young trees, if left unchecked in the years following planting can result in serious damage being caused to the tree. We offer the service of checking and where necessary adjusting the tree ties or in cases where the stake and tie are no longer serving a purpose removing them completely.