What is the secret to keeping your trees happy and healthy for years to come? A lot of this is intuitive, but go through this list and make sure you’re giving your tree what it needs to grow, and stay, strong.

Pick the right spot – First, choose a location for your tree… somewhere on your property that has enough sun and/or shade and where there is enough room for a full canopy to grow without obstructions such as sewage lines and electric cables. Then, pick a tree that suits the Cleveland Heights environment, in other words, pick an indigenous tree for the best results. When you are ready to plant your desired tree, make sure not to dig too shallow or too deep – this is a common mistake.

Water, water, water – When you plant a new tree, it will need somewhere between 6-10 gallons of water to keep hydrated. Keep this up for the first two growing seasons. After that, you can cut down on the watering a bit. If your tree is older, check on your tree and its soil and water as needed. Beware, overwatering can cause damage to your tree by drowning it or by loosening the soil that hold the roots in place.

Lay down mulch and fertilizer – Mulch offers a nice aesthetic but also provides insulation for your tree’s roots by locking in moisture. Avoid covering the base of the tree trunk, this will suffocate the tree.  A tree in a forest would normally, and naturally, get the rich nutrients it needs from leaves, moss and the ecosystem created by the surrounding trees. However, for our homes, fertilizer releases nutrients into the soil that is absent due to lawn care and leaf pickup.

Regular checkups – It is very important that you schedule routine checkups and proper trimming for your tree. Tree trimming improves the tree’s structure, removes dead branches, and makes room for healthy, new growth. Call an expert to check on your trees for tree trimming and for an inspection. If there are any problems with your tree it is better to catch them earlier rather than later.

Cleveland tree services company, VanCuren, is ready to answer questions, discuss tree care, come out for an inspection, or help you service your tree in the Cleveland Heights area. We specialize in tree trimming and tree removal, but we have a great team of experts who can help you with other landscaping projects as well. Call us to help your take care of your home!

It depends on the region, but in general the best time to water your trees is sometime between mid-March to early May. In other words, early springtime. Of course, if the dirt around your trees is already moist from melted snow or rainfall, then there is no need to water. On the other hand, if you notice that the soil around your tree is dry and powdery, your tree may be thirsty.

Try to plan to water your trees after the ground thaws and before temperatures start to become consistently warmer. This way you will be able to help along a tree’s growing process before the new sprouts of growth even begin to show.

Of course, a newly planted tree will need a lot of water as compared to a fully matured tree that only needs occasional supplemental water. New tree additions to your landscaping will require about 20 gallons of water per week. Mature trees, however, require much less. You should only water a mature tree every one to two months.

Check the soil. Our rule-of-thumb at VanCuren is that you should water your tree if the soil is still dry 4-6 inches deep, no matter the age of the tree.

If you are able, the optimal time to water a tree is in the morning. When you water your trees in the morning you are providing a reserve of water that the tree can drink from throughout the heat of the day. It also allows leaves to dry during the day, which helps prevent the growth of fungi or other diseases.

Have more questions about watering your trees to prepare for spring? The expert Cleveland arborist at VanCuren are ready to offer help and advice to the Cleveland area. Also keep us in mind for any other tree services you may need including: tree removal or tree trimming and pruning.