5 Trunk Care Tips For Landscape Trees
The trunks are the hardest working part of a home's trees, as the trunk is the most likely part to suffer damage from the actions of people and animals. Knowing how to best care for and protect the trunk can help keep the whole tree healthy.
1. Branch Management
Branches growing too low on the trunk are prone to damage, especially if they cross the path of a sidewalk. Plus, it's difficult to mow under trees when the branches are too low. Your tree service can use a pruning practice called "limbing up," where they trim off all the branches that are low on the trunk and effectively raise the branch canopy to a higher level so that it's easy to walk underneath the tree.
2. Sucker Removal
Some trees produce root suckers. These can come in as weak secondary stems that emerge from low on the trunk or around the base of the trunk. Sometimes suckers resemble weak, bushy growth on the lower trunk. Both types are unattractive and they unnecessarily sap nutrients and water from the rest of the tree. Suckers should be removed as soon as you notice them.
3. Browsing Prevention
Deer and other animals will sometimes strip the bark off of tree trunks, called browsing, which can cause major damage or even kill the tree. Browsing tends to occur more in winter and very early spring when other food sources aren't available. Young trees are often most susceptible to damage. Special wire or plastic tree cages are available to wrap around tree trunks. These protect against animals without hurting the tree.
4. Stability Help
Sometimes a trunk begins to lean toward one side. Newly planted trees that haven't yet grown anchoring roots are most susceptible, but even mature trees can eventually develop a lean. Anchoring the trunk properly solves the issue and prevents the tree from falling down. For a young tree, your service tech may tie the trunk to one or two supporting stakes. Mature trees may have permanent anchoring cables attached to the trunk.
5. Mulch Protection
Mulch is used to protect the roots, but proper application is needed to avoid damage to the trunk. The depth of mulch used around a tree is typically a few inches, as this works well to suppress weeds and prevent soil moisture loss. This deep mulch layer must not rest against the trunk, though, as it can trap moisture that will cause the lower bark to rot. Pull back mulch so there is a ring of bare dirt surrounding the trunk.
Contact a residential tree care service if you need more assistance with your trees.