Trees are beautiful works of nature that make a statement in your backyard. Whether you planted a tree or one existed when you moved in, it’s now your responsibility to look after it. Dead or dying trees will cause problems for the rest of your garden’s ecosystem – not to mention they present safety risks from fallen branches. 

That’s why this post is all about extending the life of your trees! Use these three tips to keep your trees healthy for the longest time possible: 

Prune Regularly To Remove Dead Parts

Pruning is a key element of tree maintenance. Many people think it’s the same as trimming (which we’ll discuss in a moment), but that’s not the case. Pruning specifically targets dead parts of the tree. It’s the removal of dead leaves or branches to keep your tree as healthy as possible. 

Regular pruning ensures that dead elements can’t infect healthy elements in your tree. It sounds brutal but think of it like amputating an infected leg to stop the spread of infection throughout the body. Keep an eye on your tree and look for clear signs of dead elements. This will include things like branches with peeling bark, fungus growth, and vertical cracks. Then, you can prune them or get an expert to reach the higher parts. 

Trim Your Tree To Manage Its Growth

So, what’s the difference between trimming and pruning a tree? As mentioned, pruning focuses on removing the dead parts, while proper tree trimming is more about removing branches to control the tree’s shape. Have you ever seen people chopping the branches off a big tree and thought to yourself, oh, that looks sad? 

They do this for a reason: trimming encourages the tree to grow in a certain way. You can force it to grow upright and maintain a healthier shape. Without trimming, trees grow all over the place, and branches get too long. This causes safety concerns in your garden, and broken branches also create dead parts of your tree anyway. So, some regular trimming maintains the right shape and keeps a tree growing healthily. 

Mulch The Base To Prevent Weeds

It may not seem like it, but even big old trees need moisture and nutrients from the soil. Many trees die because they don’t get enough of either. Weeds are the main culprit; they grow around the base of the tree and compete for nutrients and moisture. 

Make sure you remove as many weeds as possible if you want a garden oasis and healthy trees. Then, place mulch around the base of the tree to lock in moisture and prevent weed growth. It helps the tree get all the nutrients needed to thrive – which will be reflected in much brighter leaves and a fuller tree. 

The good news about trees is that you don’t require the constant maintenance of plants or flowers. Most can survive from casual rainfall, but you should still adhere to these three tips for better tree longevity. Keep them healthier for longer, and they’ll last a lifetime (and beyond!).