The most common community tree health problems I hear about could have been avoided.  A common misconception is that tree diseases and insects kill many of our yard trees.  In fact, a large portion of my “backyard tree visits” are due to tree health problems created by the homeowner.  Typically, the tree health issue stems from one of the following processes:

• planting 

• pruning

• mulching  

Let’s take a closer look at some of the common mistakes we make when performing these duties.

Common planting mistakes:

• Planting trees too deep – This is probably the most common planting issue.  A tree should never be planted deeper than it originally grew at the nursery or greenhouse.  When you purchase a tree, be sure not to add any amount of dirt to the top of the root ball, or the top level of the dirt in the pot (depending on whether you purchased a potted tree or a balled/burlaped tree).  To prevent this from happening, simply do not dig the hole as deep as the root ball or pot.  Before digging your hole, measure the depth of the new tree’s root system and do not exceed that depth while digging your hole. 
• Don’t forget to stake the tree – Another common error is to think that the tree does not need to be stabilized after planting.  Even when the tree you plant “feels” stable when you pull or push on it, the real test can only be given by strong winds that last several hours.  As a new tree attempts to send its roots out into its new location it may need to be stabilized so that those tender new roots are not broken or damaged as the tree moves in the wind. 

Common pruning mistakes:

·        “Stub cutting” is damaging – This practice is very common and is defined as any pruning cut that shortens an individual branch of a tree without carefully utilizing the pruning standards of arboriculture.  If a branch is shortened without consideration for branch collars and cutting angles, it is likely a “stub cut” and will surely damage the tree.  Pruning is a very invasive treatment for a tree.  Too often, it is done without regard to the future health of the tree.  Pruning errors are almost always innocent in that the homeowner did not know they were actually harming the tree.  A tree has the ability to heal itself when pruned, but only if the pruning is done properly (with great consideration for the biological functions of the tree).

·        Don’t remove too many limbs at one time – You should not remove more than 1/4^th  of the foliage of a tree in one year.  The tree needs as many of its leaves as possible to produce energy for this year and next year. 

Common mulching mistakes:

·        New trees should be mulched – When you plant a tree, you should consider the benefits of mulching around the tree.  Mulch can hold moisture in the ground and keep much needed water available for longer periods of time.  Mulch can reduce weeds and grasses that would like to grow near your tree.  Often, trees are damaged by mowers and weed eaters because of our weed and grass control measures near the base of the tree.  Mulch can also keep soil temperatures cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

·        Too much mulch will kill your tree – All too often, I see trees with fresh mulch heaped up around the trunk.  This will cause the same damage to a tree as planting it too deep.  The effects of planting too deep or adding too much mulch are decreased vigor, dead or dying tops and tips of branches, and eventual death.  Other signs of this type of stress are splits in the bark near the ground and epicormic branches along the trunk.  No dirt or mulch should ever be piled against the base of a tree. 

Hopefully this article has made you aware of some very serious issues that can harm the health of your trees.  If you would like more detailed information regarding planting, pruning or mulching let me know.  With most of these topics presented here, there seems to be more harmful information available than healthy information. Be Careful!

Mike Wolf

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