Caring for Older, Larger Trees
Mature trees provide many benefits, from shade to beauty to shelter for wildlife. Even though they are established, they still require care and maintenance, and their needs are quite different from those of younger trees and saplings. Because old trees grow much slower than young trees, proper tree care is especially crucial to their health and longevity.
One of the most important aspects of older tree care is pruning. Unhealthy wood depletes energy from the tree and leaves it more susceptible to pests and diseases. Dead or unnecessary branches can break, leaving the tree vulnerable to rot and illness. Because improper pruning can stress a tree to the point of death, it is a task best performed by an experienced specialist from a tree care company.
Many people believe that they don’t need to water their trees, thinking that the extensive root systems of mature trees can extract enough water from deep underground. The truth is that many older trees still require supplemental watering, particularly during the drier months.
Conversely, an old tree’s roots may grow out into poor-draining soil and suck up too much moisture, causing growth problems, oxygen deprivation and rot. A large tree may not show any obvious symptoms of under watering or overwatering until it is too late to avoid permanent damage. An arborist from a company that specializes in older tree care can identify hidden signs of water-related stress and provide the care needed for a happy, healthy tree.
