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Welcome to our tree column, “Ask your local arborist.” Each month, arborists from the Davey Tree Expert Company will discuss general tree care and planting tips. If you have a tree-related question, email lifestyle@EmbarcaderoMedia or post in the comments section at the end of this column. Arborists may make house calls, when needed, to assess tree questions on your property.
The new year is here, so how about making some promises and commitments to your trees and landscape?
What many people don’t realize is that trees, in some ways, have feelings and emotions. They know when they are being neglected or need a good pruning or some extra TLC. Paying a bit more attention to them can make a world of a difference for your landscape.
Here are five resolutions you can make to keep your yard healthy and looking good:
Keep notes
Make physical notes of the current condition of your trees and vow to keep the notes updated. Walk your property with a pen and paper or your phone and examine every tree. Give each tree a nickname or a number and write down if anything seems wrong with it. Take note of the color of a tree’s leaves, whether it’s sturdy or if the bark is falling off. This creates a great starting place for keeping track of how your trees are progressing throughout the year.
Conduct quarterly tree checks
Set a reminder in your phone for the beginning of season to go back out and do a full examination of your trees. By doing this, you can help eliminate tree diseases, pest takeovers, and worse, tree death.
If you see something, say something
Are the branches of your trees falling with a slight gust of wind? Do you see branches hanging over your home or vehicles? Have you noticed that the leaves on one tree are a completely different color than the rest, or the tree bare when it shouldn’t be? Is the bark falling off easily? If you notice anything like this, take action, or call your local arborist and have them assess the situation.
Pledge to use proper tools
When caring for yourself, you use products that get the job done, so do the same for your trees. If you are pruning, be sure properly clean and sharpen the pruners before using them. If you are treating something on the property, ensure that you are using products that are safe and approved by your arborist.
Hire an expert when needed
Dedicate this year to giving your trees the best care with the help of experts. Let them do the heavy lifting, high pruning, pest and disease care and deep watering.
George Reno is a local arborist at The Davey Tree Expert Company in Menlo Park, which serves communities on the Peninsula, including Menlo Park, Atherton, Palo Alto and Redwood City. Reno can be reached at 866-923-5658.
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