Proper tree care is a year round job. Each season presents its own challenges and opportunities to keep the best looking and healthiest landscape and property possible. Here are six ideas for keeping your trees strong and healthy during the summer.

1. Watering

Florida is known for its summer rainstorms. We get them just about every afternoon some seasons. But, if you have newly planted trees and the pattern isn't as regular, you might need to supplement by watering. It is generally best to water with a low flow for an extended period vs a quick dousing because the quick version will run off or evaporate before it can get deep into the tree's root system. Figure about an inch a week for healthy trees and adjust your watering accordingly as you observe the local rainfall.

2. Should I Mulch?

It would be best to have the mulch already in place, but the expression "better late than never" applies here. Mulching is an important part of caring for your trees. It reduces weed competition, conserves soil moisture, and stabilizes soil temperatures. A general rule is to mulch trees with three to four inches of shredded hardwood. The preferred method of mulching is to form an even donut shaped layer around the base of the tree, keeping it several inches away from the trunk as it may otherwise promote rot, disease and insects by keeping the base of the tree overly moist.

3. Inspecting for Pests

Examine your trees for pests throughout the summer season. While most insects won't harm your trees, finding any potential pest problems early on gives you a head start in controlling them. Pests like bagworms, spider mites, aphids, tent caterpillars, dogwood borers, magnolia scale and pine bark beetles are just some of the more common pests to look for in Florida. Certified arborists, like the ones here at Mid-Florida Tree Service, can help you identify these pests.

4. Feeding Your Trees:

Just like animals, plants, in our case trees, must receive nutrients to live and thrive. Trees that are getting proper nutrition are healthier and better able to protect themselves from pests and diseases. In the forest, decaying biomass (leaves and such) provides all the nutrients trees need, but around our homes and business with concrete and pavement and our desire to keep things looking neat and clean, we keep biomass to a minimum. Mid Florida Tree Service can do a soil analysis to help determine what kind and how much fertilizer your trees may need.

5. Trimming

There is both art and science involved in pruning trees. We generally suggest pruning during a dormant period, but trees that bloom in springtime may do better when pruned in early summer, just after their blooms fall away. Another reason for a summer pruning would be to remove dead, dying or damaged branches. Removing bad branches is important for safety as well as for the health of the tree. It is especially important with large trees that this work is done by knowledgeable professionals.

6. Bracing for Storm Season

Florida's storms are at their peak during the summer. With clockwork thunderstorms as well as Hurricanes and Tropical Storms, summertime can be rough! Have one of our certified arborists inspect your trees before the storms come. Proper tree care can prevent property damage and reduce the risk of injury caused by falling branches. This preventative care will likely include a combination of pruning, cabling and bracing. Some weak limbs may need to be completely removed. 

No matter the season, no matter the tree service need, count on us to take the best care of your trees.