Growing shade trees on your landscaping has many wonderful benefits. Underneath a full-grown shade tree is the best location for a backyard barbeque or for children to play outdoors. It will also keep your home cooler when temperatures rise.

To get all of the benefits of shade trees, you need to plant the right species and care for them properly.

NV Tree Trimming has recommendations for the best trees to plant for shade, as well as some expert advice on taking care of your shade trees so they continue to grow healthy and strong.

Planting Trees for Shade

Any tree can technically provide shade, but there are some species that are built for optimal shade. These trees usually have a thick, wider canopy that reaches out nearly as far as it does upward.

In the following paragraphs, we’ve provided some examples of shade trees depending on whether they would be best planted in your back or front yard.

Back Yard Shade Trees

Shade trees in the back yard are primarily for the homeowner’s benefit. Next-door neighbors and passersby probably won’t see these trees , so they can be planted purely for shade and enjoyment.

Besides just shade, these trees can create year-round color as well as some additional privacy from neighbors.

Here are a few popular options:

• Magnolia
• Sugar maple or silver maple
• Weeping willow
• Weeping cherry
• Red oak

If you have the space, a live oak is a fantastic choice. Live oaks are considered the fastest growing shade trees, and are able to get very large. A mature live oak is able to reach up to 80 feet tall and as much as 100 feet wide.

Most of these back yard shade tree recommendations get very big, so you need to do some research to determine if the tree is going to have enough space to reach maturity.

If there is not enough room, the tree’s root system can destroy your fencing or even your home. You will also have to prune the tree every year to keep it from being overgrown. A tree that is too large for its yard will probably have to be cut down, which is an unfortunate and sometimes expensive situation.

Front Yard Shade Trees

In the front yard, you are planting trees for your enjoyment as well, but they will be a lot more beneficial for increasing curb appeal and value to your home than the back yard trees.

Buy shade trees for the front yard that are somewhat smaller so they don’t overpower your home and landscaping. These trees should complement your landscaping in color and size, while still providing plenty of shade for front yard play and relaxation.

These are some of the shade trees NV Tree Trimming recommends:

Red maple
River birch
Dogwood
White oak
Ginkgo tree

These trees are beautiful throughout the year, and they’ll showcase even more color during the fall.
Another good option for your front or side yard is the ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae. This hedge-like tree can be planted in a row to create privacy and shade.

With this advice in mind, we recommend that you plant what you like. In truth, any type of tree can be a “shade tree.” Assuming the trees you choose are suitable for the climate in Nevada, they will provide your yard and home with some shade.

Benefits of Planting Shade Trees

The benefits of having shade for your home are numerous — and there are some that you likely wouldn’t automatically think about.

Shade, Obviously – When temperatures get too hot, you don’t need to run indoors if you have a comfortable, shady yard. Put a chair or hammock below your biggest shade tree and enjoy time outside as long as you like.

Climate Control – Trees can help regulate the temperature in your yard and inside your home. Not only will trees protect you from the hot sun, but they can make it feel 10-15 degrees cooler under their canopies. This results in less solar radiation on your roof and siding as well, which should also result in more affordable energy costs!

Better Air Quality – Trees produce oxygen and expel pollutants, so there is healthier air surrounding your house. Arbor Day Foundation research states that one mature tree absorbs around 48 pounds of CO2 out of the air.

Shelter for Animals – If you’re into bird watching or think chipmunks are adorable, your shade trees can give them all they will need to build a home, find nearby food and raise babies.

Fun – What kid doesn’t love a backyard tree fort or tire swing? If you have small children, shade trees can offer hours of fun and joyful memories.

How to Care for Shade Trees

Maintaining shade trees is easy as long as you’ve planted the type of trees for the weather in Nevada. Healthy trees are strong and hardy after the first few years, requiring little attention or maintenance.

Consult a certified arborist from NV Tree Trimming if you have any questions about the care of your shade trees, or to help you select the perfect tree for your property.

Once you have determined the perfect shade tree(s), follow this care guide until your shade tree is well established.

Planting Your Shade Tree

The south, west and east of your yard get the most sun, so plant your new trees on one of these areas of your yard. This is two-fold: 1) the trees will create the ideal amount of shade and 2) they will also receive the most amount of sun for healthy growth.

Trimming Your Shade Tree

Trim during the first year or two after you first plant the tree in order to shape it and help it develop a strong foundation. To be safe, and for the best results, call NV Tree Trimming for tree trimming in Nevada. A certified arborist will arrive at your home and deliver professional care for the tree.

Watering Your Shade Tree

Watering a new tree is very important. This will help them develop a deep and strong root system and will give the tree more stability over the course of its lifetime.

Fertilizing Your Shade Tree

Homeowners should fertilize a shade tree just like you would any other tree in order to aid healthy growth. Fertilizer is not a requirement, but it can help your tree to grow faster and blossom more leaves, which are the primary source of your shade.

We hope this information was helpful! Remember, when it comes time to trim or prune a new shade tree, NV Tree Trimming can help! Call and a certified arborist in Nevada will visit your property, examine the tree and formulate the proper maintenance plan for its long-term health and growth.

Tree pruning is best left to trained professionals. It’s dangerous work, climbing high up trees, wielding chainsaws and dropping heavy tree limbs to the ground; and it is sometimes dangerous for the tree as well. Trees that are improperly pruned can sustain a lifetime of damage.

Instead of putting yourself in harm’s way and putting the tree itself at risk, hire an arborist who is trained and experienced to do it for you.

This will result in much stronger trees and a safer environment near your house for several reasons:

• Healthy trees are sturdier and less likely to cause damage during storms
• Cared for trees don’t attract or spread diseases and parasites
• Trimmed trees grow more flowers or fruit
• Pruned trees provide shade and allow air to flow through their canopies and your property

NV Tree Trimming highly encourages pruning trees that are very close to your house or all that are a focus of your landscape.

Is Tree Pruning Necessary?

It is not required. But it is important. Trees are hardy and grow on their own everywhere in the world, in many different climates and locations, without pruning.

However, there are a lot of benefits of tree trimming, so it’s highly recommended for any trees that you value. This includes sentimental trees, fruit trees and blossoming trees or trees that perform an important service for your home, such as shade or home to wildlife.

Tree Trimming Gone Wrong

Tree pruning is a difficult task. You are going to need the right tools and a lot of information to ensure the job is done correctly. The majority of homeowners don’t have either of these!

But that’s alright, because there are many arborists out there who know how to properly trim trees for an affordable price to you including all arborists in Nevada we team up with!

Here are the 5 most common mistakes homeowners make when attempting DIY tree trimming that can lead to many tree problems. These are things that an experienced arborist from NV Tree Trimming will know, and that’s the reason why their services are worth paying for!

Pruning Too Much

When done the right way, pruning is an ongoing process. Beginning when your trees are only 2 or 3 years old, they should be looked after by an arborist if you value them and want to keep them healthy.

A huge mistake homeowners make when trimming trees by themselves is trimming too much of the tree at a time. This occurs because they have let the tree’s growth get out of hand and try to correct it all immediately. Ideally, you should only cut off 5-20% of the tree’s crown at the final removal cut. It is a lot easier to do this during a season that the leaves are off, but a certified arborist is able to safely prune trees any time of year.

Pruning in the Wrong Place

An experienced tree specialist knows exactly where to trim each limb to protect against damage. This cut should be done just beyond the branch collar, the exact place where the branch connects to the trunk.

Trimming too close to the branch collar exposes the tree to decay, mildew and pests. Cutting too far away from it leaves a stump when the tree recovers. Most DIY tree pruning results in an improper cut, leaving either structural or aesthetic damage.

Pruning Large Branches

Branches larger than 4 inches in diameter shouldn’t be trimmed unless it is necessary. Cutting off a branch this large can lead to imbalance in the tree and expose it to insects and decay as the tree recovers from such a large loss.

Conservative trimming every year ensures that the tree service company only has to cut off branches that are 2-3 inches in diameter, which leads to a more attractive shape for the tree and less chance of hurting the tree or exposing it to decay and pests.

Topping the Tree

Tree topping is no longer a type of pruning, and for good reason! With this process, arborists would just cut the top off of the tree to get the desired height. It was neither attractive nor beneficial for the tree, so the majority of arborists do not practice tree topping currently.

As a DIY tree pruning, you may think this is a good way to lower the height of your tree with just one cut, but once you have cut off the top of a tree, there’s almost no chance that it will ever regain a natural shape.

The Solution? Call NV Tree Trimming

Let’s face it. Your tree may never recover from poor trimming.

Performing this job yourself might seem like a way to save a little money, but you might end up with way more expenses trying to revive damaged trees, so it’s much safer (and more economical in the long run) to hire a certified arborist in Nevada from NV Tree Trimming.

Limbs aren’t going to grow back. The tree will grow more, but it will not grow back in the same places, which can result in strange shapes that might take years to correct. The tree might look bad for the remainder of its life, all because of a single trimming mistake.

Bad pruning could also result in death of the tree. Cutting off too many branches (and, therefore, leaves) can affect the tree’s photosynthesis process, which means it won’t get enough water or enough carbon dioxide and sunlight to continue healthy growth.

Cutting too many branches could also send the tree into a state of shock. Shock isn’t necessarily permanent, but it does take a great deal of care and patience. Even with the right maintenance, a tree undergoing shock may still die.

Avoid all of these tree trimming mistakes and call NV Tree Trimming to speak with a tree care specialist in Nevada able to devise a long-term plan to ensure your tree continues to blossom and look beautiful for years to come!

Trees are living organisms, so that means that they can become “sick” like people and animals can. A disease or other tree issue may take a while to show appear because of the overall size of the tree, and once you see a symptom, it could be too late to save the tree.

A certified arborist from NV Tree Trimming can help you diagnose and treat tree issues so that there is a much greater chance of saving the tree. Learn about our service here. Not only can an experienced arborist help to stop a tree from dying, but they are also able to help trees get more healthy growth and more flowers or fruit with professional tree trimming.

Have you noticed a tree on your property that has always seemed OK but suddenly seems like something is wrong? In the next paragraphs, we’ll explain some of the most typical tree problems and diseases and what these symptoms mean.

If you notice any of these things on any of the trees on your property, act fast to have the best chance of saving the tree and the ones nearby it.

Tree Diseases & Common Problems

These 7 things are the most common issues encountered by professional arborists in Nevada. Once you think one of these things is wrong with your tree, reach out to someone with the knowledge and equipment to help!

Tree Diseases

Leaf Rust – Leaf rust is actually a fungus that is common in both plants and trees. The name originates from the brown and yellow spots this disease produces on the leaves.

Leaf rust is a problem because it inhibits the leaves’ photosynthesis, the process by which it breathes. Leaf rust can be tended to with fungicides and selective pruning of the diseased leaves. It might be necessary to remove whole branches with leaf rust.

Witches’ Broom – This common disease results in a large grouping of twigs, dead leaves and branches that form a a broom shape. It is caused by insects, unusually rainy weather or fungus. The formation of a clump of twigs and leaves is the tree’s reaction to infection or harm.

Some instances of Witches’ Broom are deadly for the tree, while others are only considered a growth malformation. An arborist can diagnose the problem.

Mildew – Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on almost anything in wet conditions, but even after the moist conditions are over with, mildew can persist and thrive. It usually appears as a powdery texture, usually white, and it often shows up on the leaves of the tree first.

The the best method for eliminating mildew is to apply a fungicide that contains sulfur. This will remove the existing mildew and help to prevent future mildew growth on the tree. You may also need to trim the tree to remove branches, fruit, flowers and any leaves that have been affected by the mildew

Gall – Gall is a tree condition that appears when pests or rodents build small nests on the leaves or twigs of a tree to leave their eggs in. Most galls are not harmful to the tree, but they are not attractive.

Gall appears as as bumps on the tree, in varying sizes. They can be white, brown, gray or some color in between.

You do not have to treat the tree if there are galls, but they can limit the growth of new trees. Treat galls by killing the insects. You should also clean out from under the tree when the leaves fall off, since this is where the insects live during winter.

Other Tree Problems

Poor Trimming – There’s a discipline to tree trimming, as well as many types, and if you aren’t sure how to do it, you could damage the tree past the point of recovery. Consider the type of tree, season and other factors. Under-pruning (or a lack of pruning at all) can be just as big of a problem. Only a certified arborist should be trusted to prune trees to keep them healthy.

Lack of Water – Young trees can be significantly impacted by drought. If you want to plant new trees, you will probably have to supplement the amount of water they get from rainfall. A tree that doesn’t get enough water will have its growth stunted. The first symptom you are likely to see is scorched or dry leaves. Find more tips for new trees here.

Too Much Sun – Do some initial research before planting trees in a full-sun area of your property. Many species of trees can handle it just fine, but too much sun can happen to any tree if the sun is too hot for a long period and rainfall is light. A tree that is getting too much sun needs even more water to fight against wilting, drooping leaves.

Certified Arborist Services in Nevada

An experienced arborist from NV Tree Trimming will be able to quickly identify what’s going on with your sick tree and lay out a plan to rescue it.

Here is what an arborist is qualified to do:

• Review trees from the ground and from the branches of the tree if necessary. Climbing into the canopy is usually necessary to identify exactly what is causing the symptoms.
• Treat your tree with additives and fertilizers in the dirt or solutions applied to the leaves. The arborist will have knowledge about the disease impacting the tree and the best treatments.
• Trim trees to get rid of dead or damaged branches and to encourage healthy growth. Even if heavy pruning is necessary, they will know how to remove branches so that the tree survives both the disease and the pruning.
• Remove the tree from your property if there is no chance to save it. The worst case is that the tree is dying, and removing it is the best way to protect your home and surrounding landscape.

Arborists can also inform you about the other trees that you have om your property and how to best care for them so you don’t return to the same situation in the future.

Many tree problems look very similar to one another, requiring a professional eye to correctly identify and correct the issue. If your trees appear to be dry, disfigured or dying, call a certified arborist from NV Tree Trimming for an inspection before it’s too late.

When it comes to the question, “What time of year is best for tree trimming?” The answer is typically indirect.

Tree type will dictate when many species are able to be pruned, along with pest population and activity, local tree and plant diseases and other species of plants and trees in the landscape.

With the help of a certified arborist in Nevada, you will be able to decide what time of year is ideal for pruning your trees to set them up for success next season and beyond.

Best Season to Trim Trees

Without any other information, NV Tree Trimming recommends trimming trees in the winter. This ranges from November to March in Nevada. Winter is ideal because trees are typically dormant, so pruning will cause the least amount of harm, if any.

There are many benefits to pruning trees during the winter:

Less chance of insect damage and disease – Pests and plant diseases are largely inactive in the winter. Throughout the remainder of the year, anything from insects to fungus can affect a newly trimmed tree because the tree is most susceptible and these issues thrive when there is warmer weather.

Easier to see the shape of the tree when the leaves are gone – Leaves prevent your arborist from seeing the overall shape of your tree. When the branches are bare, it is much easier to identify diseased or dead limbs and branches that are touching versus those that are just close together.

Trees have time to heal before spring – By performing significant pruning during the winter, your trees have many months to build up callus tissue on the ends of the remaining branch collar. By spring, you’ll hardly be able to notice where the branches were cut off, and the tree will be able to focus its energy to produce brand new leaves, fruit or flowers instead of healing new cuts.

Less chance of damaging surrounding landscaping – Most of the nearby trees and greenery will also be dormant, so there is a lower risk of doing damage to them. Many times, a tree is surrounded by annual plants in the spring and summer, but there are no plants to be disturbed in the winter since these annuals already died out.

Do All Trees Need Trimming?

Yes, all trees will benefit from trimming. Tree pruning in the winter is good for trees, but it is also a precaution for the safety of your property and your family. Let us explain:

Trimming Makes the Tree Stronger

Dying and diseased branches are cut off, as are branch stubs that are susceptible to pests and disease. Branches that can rub one another are also pruned so they don’t weaken one another or create an open wound on the tree.

Trimming trees each year is also a good way to get an expert’s opinion on your trees so that early signs of decay, disease and pest infestations can be spotted and handled right away.

A Well-Maintained Tree Serves Its Purpose Better

When a tree becomes overgrown, it’s hard for water and nutrients to reach every limb. This can leave the tree looking scraggly and sick and definitely not doing what it’s intended to do.

Pruned trees, on the other hand, produce more fruit, healthier leaves and provide better shade. They are fuller and healthier and less likely to cause landscaping problems. So regardless of why you planted a new tree, routine trimming each winter will improve the results you desire from it.

Trees are More Attractive After Pruning

If the curb appeal of your landscaping is important to you, tree pruning is a necessity! Pruning trees gives them an attractive, uniform size and shape. This is important if you have several identical trees on your property.

Trimming lower branches and upper branches that grow at improper angles enhances the overall beauty of the tree while also strengthening tree health.

Less Chance of Dropping Branches

Tree pruning – from a professional – encourages the remaining branches to grow stronger and healthier. Therefore, storms and high winds won’t damage your trees the way they would an unkempt tree. Your home and family will be much safer living under and around trimmed trees.

Another safety issue for overgrown trees is that they block the view of traffic lights, road signs and driveways. Tree trimming, crown raising and other certified tree care services will keep the tree at a manageable size and stop it from blocking various views.

Call NV Tree Trimming for Tree Trimming

Working with a professional arborist in Nevada gives you access to their expert knowledge on tree pruning. We recommend relying on their years of experience if you have trees on your property that you’d like to keep healthy for awhile.

An arborist won’t only consider the current situation. Instead, an experienced arborist will take the time to research your trees and study their unique scenario (including their location and factors that may put them at risk of disease or infestation). After gathering all of the information, an arborist will create a long-term plan based on the trees’ unique needs and stick to that plan until the goals for your trees are met.

This plan might require many years to implement, but rest assured, it will lead to healthy trees that you and your family can enjoy for many years to come.

This type of annual care will aid in healthy tree growth, help your landscaping resist plant diseases and improve flower or fruit production from the trees. It will also fortify your trees so there is not as much risk of falling trees or branches.

Being proactive about tree trimming can save you a lot of money over time as well. Preventative maintenance is far more affordable than the cost of emergency tree services, storm damage restoration or restoring a sick tree from a disease that has gotten out of hand (and one that was easily preventable).

If you care about the health of your trees and the beauty of your landscaping, trust a certified arborist for tree trimming and maintenance from NV Tree Trimming. Find our service area here. We work with arborists across the entire state of Nevada. Call now!

Tree pruning in Nevada is an important landscaping service that can beautify and reinforce trees so they will fight off insects, diseases and severe weather – and look breathtaking doing it!

Pruning should be completed if you want a healthy tree, but it needs to be done correctly by someone who knows what they’re doing. Like a certified arborist from NV Tree Trimming. Homeowners may be able to prune trees safely while they are small, but you also may be doing irreparable harm to the tree in the process.

To safely prune trees, you must know all of the following:

• When to prune your species of trees
• How much of the tree should be trimmed at a time
• Where to cut each branch so you do not damage the tree

Taking too much off of a tree can kill it or cause structural damage, but conservative trimming done every year benefits trees in several ways. Pruning helps to improve the appearance of trees, makes them healthier, eliminates dead or diseased branches and assists in fruit or flower production.

Ideally, pruning should be performed annually, but as trees mature, you might be able to wait two years between pruning services. Regardless of how regularly you have your trees pruned, be sure your arborist is qualified to perform the type of tree pruning your trees need. This won’t be an issue if you call NV Tree Trimming in Nevada!

Types of Tree Pruning Methods

There are 7 different ways to correctly prune a tree so that it grows stronger and healthier every year.

Depending on the shape, species and health status of your trees, one method could be more beneficial than another, but each technique has various benefits.

Crown Thinning Your Trees

Crown thinning is typical for larger, overgrown trees in Nevada. This method eliminates weak branches within the crown of the tree to allow more light and air flow throughout the crown. Air flow is especially important for disease prevention.

This tree pruning technique also eliminates branches and limbs that are touching so they do not rub up against one another and snap or cause weakened areas that can be an access point for pests. Limbs that grow at odd angles are almost always cut off during crown thinning.

Crown Raising Your Trees

This trimming technique only removes branches and limbs at the lower part of the crown so limbs start higher up on the trunk. Allowing low branches to get too big makes them difficult to cut off, and they can pull nutrients from the top of the tree, which leads to less fruit and a weaker tree.

There are a variety of reasons you may choose to raise the crown of a tree. Frequently, it is done in order to clear the line of sight for cars and pedestrians, but it can be done to free up space for landscaping under the tree.

It is a common technique for large trees that are too close to homes and buildings.

Crown Reduction

Crown reduction reduces the overall size of the crown from its outer edges. It shortens limbs horizontally and vertically to maintain the tree at a manageable size. By reducing the crown size, you can eliminate the need to chop down the tree because it won’t interfere with traffic lights, power lines or street lights.

Even when the tree isn’t close to structures like those listed above, crown reduction can make the tree look neater because it also removes irregular growth. This is a smart idea for trees that are a variety of ages but are supposed to look uniform.

Crown Cleaning

Often known as deadwood pruning, crown cleaning is a minimally invasive type of trimming method that eliminates dying, broken or diseased limbs so that the rest of the tree can grow normally. These limbs can only cause problems over time.

Crown cleaning helps to make the tree look much better, and it prevents branches from rubbing together. And it is a safety practice that reduces the likelihood of branches falling, because healthy branches rarely fall.

Crown Restoration

Crown restoration is an advanced pruning method used on trees that have been severely damaged (either by weather or vandals). It must be performed by a certified arborist who knows how the tree is likely to grow over time and how long it’s restoration will take.

Unlike other tree trimming services, crown restoration happens throughout an extended time period with conservative trimming that reshapes the tree. The arborist must have a definitive plan to restore the tree, but also must be flexible as the tree starts to grow and reshape on its own, adapting to the tree’s new growth pattern.

Vista Pruning

If you are hoping for trees that help improve the overall beauty of your landscaping, you are actually interested in vista pruning. The purpose of vista pruning is to help to make the tree more aesthetically pleasing from a particular vantage point.

It encompasses many pruning techniques including crown thinning, crown cleaning and crown reduction – any technique that helps the trees look prettier. Remember, though, that an arborist is not going to jeopardize the health of a tree, so the primary focus of vista pruning is still to maintain strong, healthy trees.

Espalier Pruning

Espaliered trees are heavily pruned to grow flat up against a wall or a trellis. It is a unique style of trimming that will draw a lot of attention to your yard. Espalier pruning has to be started when the tree is young and then continued very consistently during the tree’s life span.

of espalier pruning include allowing maximum sunlight to reach the trees, as well as making it easier to produce fruit.

Professional Tree Pruning in Nevada

Tree trimming can be dangerous for a tree, your landscaping, and, of course, for you! NV Tree Trimming highly encourages professional tree trimming over attempting DIY.

Besides the many possible dangers of tree trimming, you can do a lot of damage to a tree if you don’t trim it correctly. Over-pruning is one of the most common errors made by homeowners trimming their own trees.

Trees in Nevada that get routine care from a professionals are much better off, and hiring an experienced arborist from NV Tree Trimming to care for the trees on your property is a choice you won’t regret. Locate your city in our service area. We work with arborists throughout the entire state of Nevada!

Planting a tree on your land has several benefits. Trees offer summer shade, create privacy, filter contaminated air and increase property value.

Once grown, most trees are very simple to care for: another benefit! They are durable and tend to grow even with minimal care. But, if you want to see your trees reach their full potential, they need more effort.

Lack of care for growing trees could result in rotting, disease, under watering or pest issues.

The good news is that caring for trees isn’t all that difficult, but you will want a little information to do it correctly. Educate yourself with the new trees you plant to know what they need to succeed. Then properly care for them and watch them bloom.

Below, we’ll outline the five best practices on how to plant a new tree and seeing it grow. You likely are aware of the basics, so let’s dive deeper and detail how to do each step.

Tree Care Tips for New Trees

These tips will not only help keep your trees alive, they’ll help them grow faster, withstand extreme gusts of wind, fight off diseases ,insects and pests and produce more leaves, buds or fruit.

Water Your Tree

New trees need more water than well-established ones. The trees you plant are no exception.

The root ball of the tree and the soil surrounding it have to be kept moist, but don’t let it get soaked, as this can cause the roots to rot.

The rule of thumb is 4-10 gallons of water per week. This includes rain water, and although it’s challenging to get an exact reading, a rain gauge can help get you close enough to supplement the remaining gallons. Your new trees will need this much water every week for the initial 2-3 growing seasons.

Mulch Around Your Trees

Mulch is more than an attractive lawn care material. It helps protect new trees, especially the roots. But laying mulch incorrectly can result in rotting and decay – so much so, that it’s possible that the tree will not survive.

Place mulch 3 inches away from the trunk of the tree and spread it out to completely cover the ground underneath the longest horizontal branch. For brand new trees, this isn’t going to be very far, but as the tree grows, your mulch area will grow as well.

Keep the mulch 2 to 4 inches thick in all areas around the tree. Be vigilant in keeping it spread out consistently and away from the trunk of the tree so it does not stop air flow around the tree trunk.

Fertilize Around Your Tree

Fertilizer provides nutrients that your soil might not have naturally. Most young trees can benefit from fertilizing, but you have to use the correct products and doing it at the correct time in order for fertilizer to be most beneficial.

The perfect season to fertilize is during early spring. Sometimes early summer also provides the right conditions (mild temperatures and moist soil), but don’t count on it.

If you aren’t sure about which fertilizer to use, consult a tree care specialist for recommendations. Slow-release fertilizers are usually a good idea because they feed trees over a period of time rather than all at once.

Follow through with these things in the first growing seasons after planting a tree, and then review your watering, mulching and fertilizing needs as the tree grows larger. As seasons go on, there will be additional tree care tasks that become more important for your young trees.

Prune Your Tree

Tree trimming is very important – yet very tricky – in the early years after planting a new tree. As the tree grows bigger, you may see several small branches take off, competing to become the trunk of the tree. You may think this means that the tree is healthy and growing well, but it can actually result in a very weak tree as time goes on.

Early pruning shapes the tree into what it is going to look like when it is much larger. As little limbs emerge on the lower trunk, they have to be cut off so they don’t steal water and nutrients away from the upper branches.

So long as you have trees growing on your property, they need to be pruned periodically. When the tree gets too big for you to trim them safely, you can rely on NV Tree Trimming to do the job for you.

Monitor Your Tree

Young trees are at the highest risk for damage, disease and insect issues. But you’re never completely safe from these issues. As your tree gets older, watch it carefully for signs of disease or poor nutrition, including the following:

• Leaf color change out of season, with leaves turning brown or yellow
• Early leaf falling, despite whether leaves look healthy or sick
• Wilting, even with proper watering
• Single limbs or branches dying
• Bark peeling off

These signals indicate a health problem. It is likely going to require professional maintenance if your plan is to save the tree. A certified arborist can usually identify the issue by simply looking at your tree, although they will perform testing if necessary.

If you identify the issue quick enough, you will likely be able to save the tree from dying. Being proactive is the best way to protect growing trees.

The tips above are simple yet effective. Don’t underestimate the importance of the basics! When new trees have proper care, combined with some sunshine and barring severe, damaging weather, the odds are probable that the tree will survive and will look beautiful too!

Of course, you could already have a full schedule and don’t want to be responsible for these additional tasks. In some cases, property owners don’t have the physical ability or the tools to give their new trees the necessary maintenance.

No matter the situation, it’s a good idea to contact a tree company for the care of new trees. A certified arborist in Nevada can consult with you about the best course of maintenance for each type of tree you plant on your property. Arborists love sharing their expertise and skills with homeowners planting brand new trees on their land, and they can make the difference between trees that struggle and trees that thrive.

Call NV Tree Trimming now for information on routine tree maintenance in Nevada – including tree trimming – for newer trees and old trees. A local tree service can determine the best plan for your trees! Locate your city in our service area here.