2 Mistakes To Avoid That Could Cause Wood Rot In Your Trees
Posted on: 24 July 2017
If you have several gorgeous trees in your yard that set off your landscaping, you probably want to do all you can to keep them healthy. However, there are a couple of mistakes you should avoid that could make the wood inside your trees rot.
Overwatering the Trees
Because trees need water to grow, you may decide to water them every day, especially when the weather is dry. However, you want to watch how much water you give your trees, as overwatering can be just as damaging as not enough.
When you overwater your trees, the ground around the roots and base of the trunk stays wet. When this happens, the wood is in constant contact with moisture, increasing their chances of rotting. And, when the roots start rotting, their deterioration opens them up to insect infestation, which compounds the damage and could potentially kill your trees.
If the weather is dry, first check the ground at the base of the trees to see if the dirt is moist. Dig down an inch or two to feel the soil below the surface, as it dries out more slowly than the dirt above ground.
If there is little to no moisture in the soil, set a hose at the base of the trunk, and turn on the spigot so that the water is dripping. This slow method of watering gives the roots time to absorb the water without oversaturating the ground around them.
Trimming or Cutting Too Many Branches at Once
If your trees are starting to look wild and straggly, you may decide to start hacking away at the branches so you can achieve the size and shape you want. However, you want to be careful about not cutting off too many branches at once.
When you trim or cut off a branch, the tree uses its resources to begin the healing process and to create a shield that protects the interior wood. However, if you cut off half of the branches at once, the tree is unable to fully heal and protect the wounds. This leaves the interior of the tree exposed to rain and moisture, eventually leading to the tree rotting from the inside out.
Avoiding the above mistakes while taking care of your trees can help keep both their roots and wood from rotting. If you are uncertain of how to trim the trees correctly to keep from exposing too much wood, contact a tree trimming service, like Bowman's Tree Service, to discuss your options for having them prune and shape your trees for you.
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