Tree Care Tips from the
Maymont Horticulture Staff
Maymont is
known for the beautiful trees growing throughout the property. Caring
for these majestic giants can be very challenging, particularly as they
show signs of aging. Every homeowner who enjoys the cool shade provided
by a tree understands the value of trees in the landscape. Simple tasks
can be done to improve the health of any tree.
Planting
When planting a tree, do not plant it too deep. Tree
roots need oxygen; a lack of oxygen could cause the tree to die.
Mulching
Mulch the tree once it is planted to aid in retaining
soil moisture and to buffer the soil against temperature extremes. Don’t
mound the mulch up around the trunk but create a donut-style mulching
pattern (mulch 1" deep nearest the trunk, then make a 4" deep ring from
there to about 24" out). Maymont uses this method and we find mulching
also reduces lawn mower and Weed-eater damage to the trunk.
Watering
Water a tree for one year after it has been planted.
The heat of the summer stresses any plant, especially a newly-planted
tree. Roots continue to grow as long as the soil temperature is above
40 degrees, so remember to water during dry winters, too. At Maymont
in Central Virginia, the soil temperature rarely falls below 40 degrees.
Pruning
As the tree grows it will need to be pruned. Pruning
is the most common tree maintenance procedure next to watering, and
is often desirable or necessary to remove dead, diseased, or insect-infested
branches, improve tree structure, enhance vigor, or maintain safety.
Since each cut has the potential to change the growth of (or cause damage
to) a tree, no branch should be removed without a reason.
If a large limb is to be removed, its weight should first be reduced. This is done by making an undercut about 12-18 inches from the limb's point of attachment. A second cut is made from the top, directly above or a few inches further out on the limb. This removes the limb leaving the 12-18 inch stub.
©International Society of Arboriculture
The stub is removed by cutting back to the branch collar. The branch collar contains trunk or parent branch tissue and should not be damaged or removed. This technique reduces the possibility of tearing the bark. Finally, don’t "paint" the fresh cut with any material; this promotes rot.
©International Society of Arboriculture
Arborists
Hiring an arborist to care for the trees in a landscape is a wise
step in promoting the life of any tree. Hire an arborist that is a fully-insured
certified professional. Ask for references and check on them. Hiring
a professional will benefit the tree, the landscape and the investment
made in your home. Maymont uses certified, fully- insured professional
arborists to care for the unique trees growing on the property.
Sponsored by a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry
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