It’s important to maintain the trees around your home. Well-maintained trees help improve curb appeal and are less likely to cause problems on your property. To keep your yard looking great and the trees healthy, try out these 4 tree maintenance tips. Below, we’ll go over mulching, fertilizing, removing vines, and pruning branches.

Mulching for Tree Maintenance

You may have heard that it’s not good to add mulch around the base of trees in your yard, however, there is a proper technique for mulching around trees. The most important thing to know is that the mulch should never touch the trunk of the tree. Instead, leave at least 5 inches of space between the trunk and the layer of mulch. Placing mulch around the tree helps the soil retain moisture and protects the roots, especially for young trees.

Fertilization to Keep Trees Healthy

Many homeowners rake up leaves and remove grass clippings from the lawn as part of regular yard work. However, for the best tree maintenance, save leaves and grass clippings as a natural mulch. Use a mulching mower or a leaf mulcher, depending on the season. You can also keep trees in your yard healthy by applying a slow-release fertilizer to the area regularly.

Removing Vines From Tree Trunks

Do trees in your yard have vines growing around the trunk? Vines harm the tree by keeping sunlight from reaching it and inhibiting its ability to transport nutrients to the roots. Starting at the base of the tree, gently pull vines away from the trunk. Pull out the vines at their roots so they cannot grow back.

Pruning Branches for Tree Maintenance

To prevent damage to your house and your property, you should regularly prune tree branches that pose a risk to your home, like those overhanging the roof or too close to the siding. The best time to prune branches is when the trees are dormant. Dormant trees will have no leaves on them. Remove any branches that could cause damage to your home, vehicles, and other property.

If you have any questions about the health of the trees on your property, it’s a good idea to call an arborist. Professional arborists can evaluate the health of your trees and point out any potential problems.

Aarrow Home Inspections offers home inspections to the Triangle Area of North Carolina. Contact us to schedule our services.