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Top Tree LLC can help you manage any tree hazards you have on your property. We are some of the best arborists in the Tri-Cities and can either give you advice on how to manage your trees or perform any preventative maintenance you need.

Established Trees
The length of time for the establishment of a tree depends on the original tree size and the growing conditions after planting. All trees experience transplant shock regardless of tree size when planted. During the period of transplant shock, both root and shoot growth are reduced. Vigorous growth does not return until the roots are established. A one inch calliper tree, with proper care, should develop an established root system by the end of the first year. A four-inch calliper tree is larger and requires a minimum of five years to develop an established root system.

Fertilizing Your Trees
Fertilizer and lime could be applied based on soil test results. Fertilization is not a cure-all for aging trees, but may be used to complement other tree maintenance activities. Younger trees benefit more from fertilization than older trees. In early spring, broadcast a slow-release fertilizer evenly over mulched and unmulched surfaces in the root zone area. Fertilizer should always be applied to moist soil to improve uptake and to reduce the chance of root injury. Improper fertilizer type, rate, and application can injure plants.

Mulching For Your Trees
Mulch retains soil moisture and moderates soil temperature extremes. A two to four-inch layer set out to the tree’s drip line is ideal. More than a four-inch mulch depth can cause problems with oxygen and moisture levels. Avoid piles that look like “volcanos”. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid pest and disease problems. Mulch provides a kept appearance while preventing damage from lawn care equipment. When a trunk is damaged, it slows growth and can lead to infestation and wood decay as well as tree decline and death.

We look forward to helping you with all of your tree removal and tree trimming needs. When and if you have any questions about your trees, shrubs, or any other greenery on your property, we can help. We strive to be your only and best option for tree trimmers in the Tri-Cities.

Top Tree LLC can help you manage any tree hazards you have on your property. We are some of the best arborists in the Tri-Cities and can either give you advice on how to manage your trees or perform any preventative maintenance you need.

Do not excavate within tree protection zones, unless otherwise indicated and approved. Before excavation, pad preparation, or grading for foundations, footings, walls, or trenching, relevant trees shall be root pruned 1 foot outside the tree protection zone as described below.

Where excavation for new construction is required within tree protection zones and approved, hand prune or utilize root pruning techniques described below prior to excavation. Do not allow exposed roots to dry out before placing permanent backfill. Provide temporary earth cover or pack with organic material and wrap with burlap. Water and maintain in a moist condition.

Temporarily support and protect roots from damage until they are permanently relocated and covered with soil. Where utility trenches are required near tree protection zones, tunnel under or around roots by drilling, auger boring, pipe jacking, or digging by hand around individual roots to mitigate damage to the root system and tree. A Supersonic Air tool (air spade) can also be used safely to open trenches without severing roots. See diagram below.

We will continue this series over the next few months covering a wide array of topics. Don’t forget, when you’re looking for the best tree care company in the Tri-Cities, we’d love the chance to earn your business.

Top Tree LLC can help you manage any tree hazards you have on your property. We are some of the best arborists in the Tri-Cities and can either give you advice on how to manage your trees or perform any preventative maintenance you need.

Post-planting care should include:
Watering. Too much or too little water after transplanting is a major cause of tree
transplant failure. The site should be thoroughly watered immediately after planting, after
which the soil must be regularly monitored to prevent drying out. If rainfall is inadequate,
the soil around the plant’s roots should be deeply watered approximately every 10-14
days. If you are not sure if the soil is drying, dig down 3 to 4 inches next to the plant. Wet
soil at that depth verifies watering is not needed at that time.

Mulches help conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature and control weeds
around trees and shrubs. They are placed on the soil surface over the tree or shrub root
system. They should be applied 3 to 4 inches deep. Maintain a 4 to 6-inch mulch-free area
adjacent to the woody stems.

Fertilizer. Newly planted trees should not require fertilizer. Only fertilize if a soil test
indicates a deficiency. Transplanted trees should be fertilized around one year after
planting. The best material for small trees is well-rotted stable manure, added as a two-inch
layer of mulch around the tree annually. If chemical fertilizers are used, a formulation such as 10-8-6 or 10-6-4 is preferred. Use about 2 lbs per inch dbh. For evergreens, use half the recommended amount of chemical fertilizer, or use only organic fertilizers. Make holes 18 inches deep and 2 feet apart with a punch bar, crowbar, or augur, around the drip line of the tree. Distribute the fertilizer evenly into the holes, and close the holes with the heel of the shoe, or by filling with topsoil or peat moss. Fertilize trees in late fall or early spring before leaves emerge.

We will continue this series over the next few months covering a wide array of topics. Don’t forget, when you’re looking for the best tree care company in Burbank, we’d love the chance to earn your business.