Tree Care Checklist for Summer

The dog days of summer bring about the scorching sun, little to no rain, and stressful conditions. These summer conditions can cause damage to your trees by depriving them of the nutrients and water that they need to grow and stay healthy.
With summer quickly approaching, there are things you can do to give them the best possible defense from pests, diseases, and the hot dry weather.
There are some basic steps you can take to help ensure a safe, growth productive summer for your trees.

INSPECT your trees for:

• Damage from winter weather
• Winter burn
• Warning signs of
• Pests
• Disease
• Fungus
• Weak branches
• Broken branches

• Drought stress
• Lack of water
• Sun scald
• Abnormal leaf size
• Off color bark
• Oozing sap

TREAT your trees for any diseases or problems you find during inspection.

PRUNE

• Dead branches
• Diseased branches
• Unsafe branches

FERTILIZE your trees with a slow-release fertilizer to help them recover after a long hard winter.

SECURE any weak limbs by cabling, bracing, or even removing them if necessary.  This will prepare your trees to withstand any summer storms that may blow through.

CLEAN the area around your trees by picking up dead leaves, twigs and rubble that is lying under the canopy or near the trunk.

MULCH your trees by adding 2-4 inches of new mulch around the base of your trees, being careful not to pile it up on the trunk. Mulching helps keep the soil moist and cool and adds nutrients to the area around your trees.

WATER your trees.

• Provides the moisture they need to grow
• Grown trees need approximately one gallon of water each week
• Young trees may need 2 gallons per week
• Follow a consistent watering schedule
• A slow deep soak is the best watering practice

Following this checklist will help keep your trees happy and healthy all summer long, giving your trees the opportunity to grow and prosper so they will be able to fend off the wicked winter weather that is destined to show up in a few short months. Z Tree Experts is a top choice when you need professional and reliable tree service in Clifton NJ and the surrounding area.