Tips & Tricks on How to Extend the Life of Old Trees

Caring for old trees is not so different from caring for young ones.

Trees are known as majestic beings that symbolize beauty, strength, and wisdom. They can live for over a hundred years and are considered to be sacred in some countries. They play a significant role in a community other than being one that gives air and shade. However, just like humans, as trees age, they become vulnerable to pests, diseases, and more.

So, is there something you can do to extend the life of your old trees? Well, lucky you, because in this blog, we’ll teach you some tips and tricks on how to do that.

Daily Tree Care Habit

The saying, prevention is better than cure, is an effective method that can be applied anywhere and anytime. This saying also applies to tree care. Therefore, it’s recommended to create a daily habit to care for your trees. These habits include but are not limited to tree watering, pruning, fertilizing, and weeding.

While doing your daily tree care, you can use this opportunity to inspect your tree. Watch out for signs of pest infestations, bends or breaks on your tree trunks, and more. By detecting signs of wear and tear or insects, you get the chance to solve any problems before they worsen.

Proper Watering

Some say that older trees won’t need much water compared to when they were young. However, that belief is wrong. No matter if a tree is young or old, it will need a regular and adequate amount of water to survive. It’s a must to increase the water you give, especially during drought or when it seldom rains.

Pruning and Trimming

Tree branches can be damaged by external forces such as animals, weather, and human activity. Leaving them can add stress to the tree. Branches can also grow and multiply, which can take away the water and nutrients that should go to their fruits or flowers. It’s recommended that you prune and trim your trees regularly. However, tree trimming at the wrong time can do more harm than good to your trees. Therefore, it’s best you learn the best month to prune or trim your trees to give a boost to their growth.

Remove Competition

Trees need a lot of water and nutrients to maintain their growth and ensure their survival. However, if competition for said water and nutrients arrives, your tree will suffer because it lacks the essentials it needs. Plants like ivy and Cuscuta are known to deprive the tree of nutrients and water it needs. They can also become the culprit behind fungus growth or the creation of nesting grounds for pests. Remove such plants from your tree to avoid these issues. But when it comes to dealing with severe ivy growth, it’s best to be careful, or you can possibly damage the tree.

Watch Out for Pests

Pests are a major threat to your trees' growth and health. You must keep a close watch on your trees for any signs of infestations. As mentioned above, if you have a daily habit of caring for your trees, you’ll be able to check your tree’s condition. Pay close attention to the bark, branches, or leaves to see if something’s wrong. Keep in mind that pests don’t always have to be insects since they can also be animals. Be wary of them, especially if you have deer, rabbits, or destructive birds in your area.

Trees bring majesty and elegance to any property, which can be a huge boost to your home value. The older the tree, the more symbolic and majestic it becomes. Though, as regular homeowners, there’s only so much you can do to keep your tree in top condition.

You might encounter something new and will be unsure of what to do. There are plenty of factors at play, and the culprit you thought was behind a problem might be the wrong one. If that happens, it’s best that you call an arborist to get a complete diagnosis of your old tree’s condition and start from there.

Our capable and reliable arborists at Kanata Tree Service Masters will gladly do an inspection for your trees! No matter if they’re old or newly planted, you can count on us. So, give us a call and let’s talk!