If you want to lead a more sustainable lifestyle and do something that makes a direct positive impact on the environment, planting trees is the ideal solution. Trees produce the oxygen we breathe, offer shelters for animals, and provide food for us, among many other benefits. Trees are clearly necessary for healthy living, and it only makes sense to take proper care of them in order to ensure they can grace us with their presence for years to come. But if you care about the environment, you should also aim to maintain your trees in a more eco-friendly way, and here are some ways you can do just that:
Protect the roots
Spreading some mulch around tree trunks is an effective method of preventing damage, insulating the soil, decreasing foot traffic, and warding off power tools such as lawnmowers. As the mulch decays, it could also provide additional nutrients and preserve the moisture in the soil, while improving its quality. Wood chips and shredded wood make for eco-friendly materials as well. Just make sure to spread it in a thick, even layer around the trees to avoid damage.
Eliminate pests
While there are a number of insects that live happily in symbiosis with trees, certain species can be particularly damaging to the health of trees, such as carpenter ants. They tend to nest in trees, make holes in the branches and the trunk, and live off the sap, which can ultimately kill the trees. It’s essential to eliminate such pests as soon as you notice them, but keep in mind you don’t have to use harsh and harmful pesticides to do that successfully. You can also buy an efficient herbal pesticide, or even make your own natural pesticide using soap or vegetable oil, which won’t harm the environment.
Trim frequently
As a lack of pruning can cause disease and sickness that kill healthy trees over time, regular trimming is truly essential for the health of trees. However, this is also quite a difficult job that requires particular skills and knowledge. What Sydney residents do in these situations, for instance, is call professional tree services from Northern Beaches to take care of their arboricultural needs. These are reputable and certified specialists with a deep understanding of trees, knowing exactly when, what, and how to trim in order to keep trees healthy. You could do the same as well.
Water regularly
Freshly planted trees will need some watering during the dryer months as well. This is particularly important if you live in warmer climates such as Central America or Southern Europe. Younger trees will likely need approximately 50 liters of water a week in order to stay healthy and hydrated. More well-established trees, on the other hand, don’t require watering in general. However, you should water older trees as well if you notice any cracking or dryness in the soil surrounding the root system.
Feed your trees
Feeding your trees in spring is generally not advised, as this could cause the roots to grow and spread out in order to find the necessary moisture and nutrients. But if you live in an area that has infertile or otherwise poor soil, your trees might benefit from feeding once per year using a general-purpose, natural feed. This product needs to be spread around the whole root system. If you’re looking for a green DIY solution, you could also make a stinging nettle fertilizer tea to feed your trees, pouring it into the soil during the warmer months.
Take care of young trees
Young trees are particularly susceptible to damage. While hardy trees might be perfectly fine during the colder months, younger trees, especially those under five years old, will need some additional help. Purchasing protective yet lightweight tree wraps that comfortably fit around the branches of smaller trees is the most common solution, but it may not always be an eco-friendly option. In an effort to prioritize sustainability, you could also wrap the tree branches in a light and breathable fabric such as hessian or cotton to protect them from the harsh conditions of the winter months.
Taking proper care of your trees will ensure they last several lifetimes. And if you follow the eco-friendly tips mentioned above, you can do something good for the environment in more ways than one.
