Mature trees bring more than just beauty to your property. They provide shade that can reduce cooling costs and increase your overall property value. Mature trees are a sign of longevity and endurance. It takes decades for a tree to grow to its mature, stately height. Caring for mature trees takes knowledge and experience. Mature trees face problems we don’t typically see in smaller trees. With their lofty height, larger limbs, and often sprawling root systems, your most majestic trees are often most at risk.
The first step to ensuring the health of your mature trees is to have them inspected. At Westchester Tree Life, we take a proactive approach and complete a careful inspection of each tree from crown to root. We look for signs of pests, damage, and disease, as well as any indications of weakness or rot. The inspection will tell us the extent of any necessary pruning or if the tree is at risk of falling or dropping large limbs.
Mature trees can benefit from mulching. Mulching protects your trees roots from temperature and moisture extremes as well as damage from lawn mowers. Plant based mulch decomposes over time, providing nutrients to the tree. Before you pile on the mulch, it’s important to know what you’re doing. Mulch should cover as much of the root system as possible with a depth of 2 to 4 inches. You don’t want the mulch to pile up against the base of the tree where it can decay the bark. Instead, leave a mulch-free area a couple of inches wide around the trunk.
Other, more complex, issues are important to the health of your mature trees. Soil composition and density affect the nutrients your tree has access to and its stability. Drainage is another crucial element to consider. If you aren’t sure how to determine the pH of your soil or whether or not it is too loose to securely anchor your tree in place, Westchester Tree Life can assess the soil and advise you on any needed changes.
With their larger, higher branches, mature trees pose a challenge when they need to be pruned. Attempting to prune a large tree yourself can be dangerous for both you and any nearby structures. Pruning mature trees requires knowledge of how trees heal; branches and limbs should be removed only when necessary. Because of the danger involved, this type of pruning job requires special equipment and training. You should always leave the pruning of mature trees to an expert arborist.
Sometimes, the removal of a mature tree is necessary. Mature trees, in spite of their size, aren’t immune to disease, pests, rot, and other types of damage that can lead to falling. A downed tree can cause extensive damage and injury. Westchester Tree Life can not only safely remove mature trees, but can advise you on suitable replacements.
With proper care and maintenance, mature trees can add great value to your property. Trust experts like Westchester Tree Life to keep your trees in their best condition!
