Tree Care Myths

If you take care of trees in your yard, you may have heard things about them that you think are too implausible, probably because they are. There are a lot of tree care myths out there that some people believe that is why we decided to write them in this blog post to shed light and give you the right information you need about trees.

1. Tree root structures extend deep below the ground- The supporting roots of a tree diminish in thickness as they grow more rooted in the ground. Most of the tree's roots are found in the upper layers of the soil, and it is very rare for roots to grow more than a few feet. To keep your tree healthy, you should protect the upper layers of the ground.
2. Trimming is the best practice to keep your tree in good health- If your tree is overgrown or is planted too close to a structure, tree trimming is the best method to resolve the issue. Make sure that you don't prune excessively as it can result from sprouting growth. This can lead to the tree's weakened natural defenses because of the competition in nutrient supply. It is highly recommended by tree experts to avoid repeated pruning or trimming because it can be detrimental to the health of the tree.
3. Topping is the best technique to manage the size of your tree- You may have heard of topping before. This method involves the removal of the main stem in the crown of the tree. Topping can have a negative impact on the structural soundness of the tree. In most cases, trees that undergo this process eventually die due to disease.
4. Pruning cuts made close to the trunk makes the healing process faster- Contrary to what most of us know, trees have no ability to heal on their own. What trees do is to cover their injuries with layers of wood. It is best not to cut the trunk of the tree to prevent decay and aid in the fast recovery of the wounds.
5. Tree wound dressing is always necessary- There are a lot of sealants, paints, and tree tars that claim to help speed up the healing process for trees. However, dressing the wound doesn't necessarily promote the closing of the injury. In fact, some tree professionals might even say that dressing the wound would hurt the tree more than help it. Although trees cannot heal on their own, they can cover their injuries that can improve their recovery.
6. Application of fungicide prevents or stops decay- Trees form internal chemical barriers during and after the time they get the wound. These barriers reduce and to avoid decay in trees. You should remember that the effectiveness of the process all depends on the health and the tree's genetics at the time it got its wound. Unlike what many thought to be true, applying a fungicide to an injury will not always resolve the problem. Sometimes, it even adds stress to the tree.
7. Adding quality topsoil doesn't have any negative impact on your tree- For some reason, some homeowners want to add soil at the base of their trees. However, what they don't realize is that there should not be too much soil around the bottom of the tree because it changes the grade of the soil. There can be a serious impact on the health of the tree if the soil grade varies.
8. It doesn't matter whether you maintain your trees or not- Although Mother Nature has a big part in keeping the health of the tree intact, we should make an effort to maintain our landscape trees, or they start to lose their vigor and beauty. Landscape trees may not be getting enough nutrients they need due to pollution, limited space for their roots, and compaction. The least we could do is to help them by performing routine maintenance.
9. All tree services are the same- Given that most tree companies offer the same variety of service, but not every tree service company provides the same quality of tree care. Companies differ in their affordability, professionalism, and years in the field. Also, some companies are licensed and insured while some are not that is why it is essential to ask the tree company this information before hiring them.
10. Inclement weather is the worst enemy of trees- A lot of homeowners only look at their trees after a storm. Inclement weather is not the only culprit for tree damage because excessive maintenance can also harm the health of your tree. Don't go beyond what is necessary because you may not be doing your tree a favor by doing so. Let a tree expert handle pruning or trimming when your tree needs it because they know how to handle the job better. Doing something you are not completely familiar with can be too risky.