A Simple & Easy Guide to Properly Watering Your Trees in Orange County

Trees are a vital part of our ecological system. They provide oxygen, improve air quality, contribute to climate amelioration, conserve water, preserve soil, and even support wildlife. On a more personal level, it helps to have trees around your property. They not only beautify your surroundings, but they also provide shade and tend to make the whole property a little more pleasant.

Taking care of your trees is paramount to ensuring that they stay healthy and stress-free for as long as possible. There is regular upkeep for your trees that you can practice to help maintain them for a very long time. If there’s one vital aspect of this upkeep that every homeowner can do, it is watering your trees properly. Watering your trees entails knowing the best time to do so, the amount of water you need, effective watering methods to employ, and the type of tree species you’re watering, among other things.

That said, here’s everything you need to know about how to water your trees properly. Follow our simple and easy guide to help your trees to thrive and live for as long as possible.

The best time to water your trees

The first step to consider is when is the best time to water your trees. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to this step. Yet, you should consider the following information and factors:

1 – There’s no strict schedule for watering trees. However, the best time to water is usually in the morning or evening. This is the time when the roots have the best chance of absorbing most of the water.

2 – There’s also no specific frequency for watering trees. How often you should water typically depends on the size of your tree, soil conditions, and weather conditions. Know that newly planted trees require much more water than established ones.

3 – The best way to determine when trees need watering is to check the soil. Look for moist, not soggy, soil. Check the soil with a garden trowel to a depth of two inches, and if the soil is dry, your tree needs some water.

How much water should you give your trees?

When it comes to the amount of water for your trees, consider this rule of thumb: ten gallons of water are required for every inch of the tree’s diameter. Make use of a ruler at knee height to measure or use your best judgment. When watering a certain amount of water, consider the following tips:

1 – Slow and deep watering: Experts suggest that slow and deep watering is your best option, which is why drip lines are the preferred method of watering. For one, drip irrigation loses less water to evaporation as compared to overhead watering or sprinkler systems. This method allows the critical root zone to take up adequate moisture. When doing so, make sure to water the entire area beneath the tree’s canopy. As much as possible, the depth should be ten inches.

2 – Consistent watering: There’s no secret to this step. You just need to practice regular watering. This is because keeping the soil consistently moist is essential to healthy trees. Make sure not to allow the soil to dry out completely because it will make your trees stressed, which makes them more prone to disease and infestation.

3 – Watering all year round: It is important to water your trees year-round. Don’t forget to water your trees even during winter. Though they may be dormant, they are still growing. Make sure to water your trees, particularly when the air and soil temperatures are above 40°F.

Effective watering methods

The Davey Institute suggests that the best way to water trees is through the deep watering method. This helps to keep your trees hydrated, particularly during dry spells and prolonged drought. Here’s what you need to know:

1 – Deep watering method: Clearly, there is much more to your trees than what you see above the ground. The deep watering method entails delivering the water right to where trees need it the most – their roots. This method involves carrying water eight to twelve inches into the ground, instead of merely wetting the surface.

2 – Best way to water trees: Know that when you water the ground’s surface, much of the water evaporates before it even reaches the roots. The deep watering method is effective because it reaches the roots and has less water evaporation. Trees with shallow roots struggle to intake enough water from the top of the soil during dry periods and drought. Deep watering solves these problems. It encourages trees to grow a deep root system. It can also save you time and money while creating healthier trees.  

3 – Watering plants can be good for YOU and your trees: Apart from the benefits your trees can get from watering them, it can be very therapeutic for you to be out in nature and watering your plants. You can incorporate some stretching or isometric exercises with your watering routine. While you’re at it, you can even scout your plants for insects, caterpillars, and other tree-related problems. Other than that, you can also work on your Vitamin D levels as you water the trees under the sun. Dealing with trees and communing with nature can bring a peaceful rest to your chaotic day.

The steps and valuable information outlined above can help you to properly take care of and water your trees. It is essential that you practice regular watering because you now know the benefits that it will give to your trees, yourself, and your property.

If you’re are looking to learn more about watering your trees properly, get in touch with a certified arborist in Orange County to see how we can help.

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10 Practical Tips in Choosing a Qualified Arborist – Our Guide

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Taking good care of your surrounding trees is paramount to maintaining their health and extending their lifespan. When doing so, professional tree services are at times required because you may not be able to do it on your own.

Whether it’s tree watering, trimming, pruning, or even emergency tree removal, hiring an expert can make a significant difference in the growth and health of your trees. If you are thinking that your trees may need some work, it’s time to look into a qualified arborist.

The decision to look for an arborist shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you don’t do your research, you could end putting both your landscaping and the person performing the work at risk. An unqualified person may not have sufficient insurance or may not have the proper knowledge, skills, and training required to carry out the tree services required.

It’s best to work with a tree care company that is licensed, and insured. While you look for a registered and licensed firm that complies with the state requirements, you should also consider their guarantee of quality work and the additional services offered. 

That said, below are ten practical tips you can use for selecting a qualified arborist:

1. Check for ISA certified arborist credentials

Look for an arborist who has a membership with professional organizations, such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This membership requires the arborists to demonstrate a commitment to quality and keep up with current best practices on trees and tree care. You can rest assured that ISA-certified arborists have passed the ISA’s extensive examination on all aspects of tree care and maintenance. 

2. Obtain valid references.

When you have several prospective arborists, make sure to get valid references from them. Once you have these references, make sure to validate them. You can contact the listed character references and inquire about their services and level of expertise. Because you want to hire an expert for the preventive care of your trees, you have to make the right decision to ensure the overall health of your trees. Also, don’t forget to check Yelp and Google My Business for reviews.

3. Get estimates from more than one tree care firm.

Apart from references, you should look to obtain estimates from your list of prospects. After examining the credentials of the firms and their staff, make sure to check the specifications of the submitted bids as well. When looking at the specs, determine which proposal has the best combination of cost, scope of work, skill, and professionalism. In the end, the investment in your trees lies in the hands of the tree service provider. This is why you should opt for a highly knowledgeable and reputable tree service company!

4. Never rush when promised with a discount.

Know that there are a wide range of discounts being offered by some service providers. Chances are, you will immediately take the plunge when provided with a discount. Keep in mind that you should never rush in making a decision to hire an arborist. First, make sure to understand the work that needs to be done, the cost of the services, and what the discount entails. Although you will want to take advantage of a discount, this shouldn’t come at the expense of the quality of their work.

5. Veer away from arborists doing excessive pruning.

It’s worth knowing that expert and knowledgeable arborists won’t recommend topping a tree or other drastic pruning practices. These practices might actually injure the trees or make them hazardous. If they offer excessive pruning, it is best that you do not hire them. Reputable arborists usually recommend various options appropriate for your tree conditions and situations.

6. Don’t allow arborists to climb your trees using spikes.

When looking for an arborist, make sure to avoid arborists who use spikes or spurs when tending to the tree. Know that tree-climbing spikes or spurs can actually wound the trees and open a pathway for diseases and insects. These can lead to the weakening of trees or, worse, their death. 

7. Be wary of door-knockers, flyers, or cold calls.

When looking for a tree service provider, you should hire an expert in the field or industry. Know exactly what you want and what kind of tree services you need and verify the firm’s area of specialization as well. In the end, choose a reputable tree service company that can ensure that your trees will get the care they need to remain safe and beautiful for a long time. In short, always check references and reviews.

8. Invest in an arborist with a fair market rate.

Proper tree work is not necessarily inexpensive, but it’s best to invest in a tree service company providing a fair market rate. Reputable arborists are licensed, insured, and maintain expensive, specialized equipment. This is why the standard cost is a fair rate. Beware, however, of exceptionally low estimates as you may not receive quality services. This is also why it is important to look at multiple bids, so you can get a feel for the market.

9. Check and get proof of insurance and license.

It’s best to check and obtain proof of insurance and licenses from the service provider you plan to work with. The license should indicate that it’s registered while in compliance with the state requirements. Furthermore, the certificate of insurance should detail worker’s compensation and general liability in the event of personal property damage. 

10. Never hire the cheapest estimate.

It’s a rule of thumb that you should not hire a service provider with the cheapest estimate. Extremely low estimates can be an indicator of poor professionalism, lack of credentials, such as insurance, and may even have hidden costs. Make sure that you do your best to stay away from such offerings!

There is a wide range of tree service companies available in the market. Before hiring a service provider, make sure to get detailed information about the company and consider the valuable tips outlined above. 

If you’re looking for a certified arborist in Orange County, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

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Why You Need to Invest in Tree Trimming Services – What to Know

Trees play a vital role in our ecological system. If you have several trees in your yard, you know that they do more than beautify your surroundings. They provide shade, allow you to harvest healthy fruits, and give your fresh air, among many others. That’s why taking care of these trees is paramount. Simple habits that you can practice include: properly watering your trees, taking preventative measures against pests infesting them, and trimming them regularly.

When it comes to tree-trimming, you can either do it yourself or hire a tree service. Having a tree-trimming service is a more practical solution if you aren’t an expert because you want to ensure that the trimming is done properly. Tree-trimming doesn’t only involve removing specific branches or stems to benefit the whole tree. This procedure also entails trimming dead, damaged, and diseased branches to help prevent insects and other harmful organisms from entering the trees.

In this post, we’ll discuss the importance of routine trimming and why hiring trimming services is a viable solution. Keep on reading to learn more about how trimming impacts the health and safety of your trees.

Importance of routine tree trimming

front yard of a home

Routine trimming of your trees is vital to their upkeep. There are many valuable reasons you should conduct regular trimming of the trees in your yard. Here are some of the main ones:

Foster better health: The main reason for tree-trimming is to foster better health for your trees. Not only do dead branches look unsightly, but they can contribute to further decay of your trees and eventually lead to the death of your trees. As for your family’s safety and the potential impact on your property, dead branches can pose a hazard to you and your neighbors. 

Trees are complex organisms that are prone to various diseases if left unattended. Dry leaves, cracked trunks, and broken limbs can serve as entry points for parasites. These organisms can eat away your trees and can even lead to a severe infestation, thereby damaging the whole tree (not to mention surrounding trees or even buildings). 

Tree-trimming can help preserve the health of the trees by preventing the spread of diseases. A professional arborist will inspect your trees for signs of disease. After the inspection, the actual tree-trimming will remove the damaged sections of the tree. The goal is to promote proper growth and nutrient distribution. This will ensure that your trees will remain healthy for as long as possible.

Promote safety: Trees can enhance both the aesthetic appeal and overall functionality of your property. However, they can also turn your yard into a safety hazard, particularly if the surrounding trees aren’t taken care of. If left unattended, impacted branches might fall off, causing damage to your or your neighbor’s property and, in the worst scenarios, can even lead to injury or death.

Tree-trimming is also performed to promote safety in the neighborhood. A professional arborist will create a sound structure for your tree to grow within. They can prevent branches from crossing from one tree to another, making the branches weak. They can ensure that the branches won’t be susceptible to damage during heavy winds or other weather elements. Routine trimming does eliminate each of these potentially-damaging growth scenarios, providing the utmost safety to the entire neighborhood.

Enhance tree shape and appeal: When it comes to promoting specific shapes for your trees, routine trimming can be a valuable tool in doing so. It may seem counterproductive to cut away sections of your tree if you want to promote growth, but proper routine trimming helps your tree more than hurts it in the long run.

An arborist can use tree trimming to influence growth patterns. They cut certain buds to change how branches grow overtime because terminal buds develop at the very tip of a shoot, leading the shoot to extend. Through time, lateral buds located along the shoot begin to flourish, and new branches can grow horizontally from the shoot in time. 

Five reasons to hire a tree trimming service

overhead view of trees and path

Now that you understand the importance of routine trimming, you should also know why trimming services work better than compared to doing it yourself. Tree-trimming entails professional skills and expertise. It also requires extensive knowledge of the structure and growth of different types of trees. For these reasons, hiring trimming services can ensure the following: 

Increased property aesthetics: Experts who perform trimming services can improve the beauty of your yard. Trees add beauty to your surroundings and augment the appeal of your property. Hiring a certified arborist becomes imperative when you want to keep your trees in good shape and condition. They know the proper techniques to maintain your tree’s health and improve their overall shape and appearance.

Increase in property value: The aesthetic appeal of your surrounding trees can also increase the value of your house. With trimming services performed by a certified arborist, you can help to ensure that your trees will make a positive difference in your property’s value.

Detection of tree problems: Another reason to hire trimming services is to get early detection of any tree problem that might be going on. Doing so will help examine the issues and address them as soon as possible before the trees get infected and eventually die. It can be quite a challenge for the average homeowner to determine the health of a tree. Professional arborists have the knowledge to examine the tree problems, the skills (or referrals) to execute the trimming, as well as the expertise to deliver quality services.

Improved fruit yield: Proper trimming techniques are required for your trees to bear more fruit. It may be hard to know exactly how much and where to trim your tree on your own, but professional arborists know precisely what to do. When the time comes, you’ll be surprised how you will have more to harvest and you may notice an increase in the size of your fruit as well.

Cost-saving: Hiring tree-trimming services can actually help you save money in the long run. Though the idea of paying for professional trimming services may appear costly at first, think about how damaged and unhealthy trees can impact your house, your property, and the whole neighborhood. Imagine how much it will cost you on property damages as well as medical expenses for impacted neighbors or family members. Not to mention the impact a healthy yard can have on your property value.

At this point, you can now understand the importance of routine tree trimming. 

Tree trimming promotes tree health, increases public safety, and improves the overall aesthetic appeal of your property. When considering tree-trimming, hiring a professional service is a viable solution based on the benefits mentioned above. 

If you are looking for an arborist in Orange County to recommend the best landscaping investment for your trees, get in touch with us today for an assessment and recommendation.

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