One of the pleasures of owning a piece of property is planting a tree or two. Trees are not only beautiful, but they impact everything from the value of your property to your energy bills. The long lives of many trees can make them your legacy. But there are safe and unsafe ways to plant trees. Granted, most of the risk at the beginning is to the tree. However, as the tree grows, the risk to your property increases. Here are some mistakes to avoid.
Planting Too Close to the House
When you’re planting a sapling that’s shorter than you are, it’s easy to be fooled into planting it too close to the house. Problems happen when the tree grows, and its roots may infiltrate your foundation and damage it. At the same time, its spreading limbs start to overshadow or even brush against your roof, which can damage your roof. You should also avoid planting a tree directly under power lines if it is going to grow tall.
Overmulching
Mulch helps regulate the temperature of the soil, keeps the area moist, and tamps down weeds. Organic mulch such as undyed wood chips break down and adds nutrients. However, it’s important to make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the place where the root meets the trunk. Doing that can cause the area to rot. Make sure there’s a clear area about the width of your fist around the tree.
Planting the Wrong Species of Tree
You may have seen a tree that flowers beautifully in the spring or has exceptionally beautiful foliage. You plant the tree, only to later find that it’s problematic. The glorious ornamental has fragile but heavy branches that not only snap off during a high wind or a storm but snap off for what seems like no reason. The tree with beautiful foliage litters your property with bad-smelling fruit in the fall. In other cases, it might not be appropriate for your hardiness zone and grows weak in your climate. This increases the risk of diseases, pests, falling limbs and early death, which eventually results in a falling tree. It would be wise to consult a professional arborist before making a final decision.
Neglecting the Tree
Your job isn’t done once you’ve successfully planted and watered the tree. Part of helping your tree grow safely is to keep an eye out for pests and diseases. If you’re not sure of the first signs of trouble, hire an arborist. An arborist will walk around your property, and check for problems before they become large and expensive to fix. If you live in Pottstown, PA, reach out today to Beyond the Leaf for tree planting services.
