A mature tree gives you a beautiful view when you look over your property, but it will only stay that way with regular tree maintenance. Among other things, this means keeping your tree safe from harmful insects that would weaken your tree or cause disease. Follow this guide for a few simple tips on how to protect your trees. 

4 Ways to Protect Your Trees from Insects

1. Encourage Strength 

A strong and healthy tree is more resistant to insect infestation. Provide mulch and fertilizer every few weeks, too. When the tree’s branches are bare and light in early spring and late fall, plan for tree pruning and trimming. Set up a sprinkler or other irrigation system to automatically water your trees at regular intervals to save you some effort on your tree maintenance routine.  

2. Use Wraps 

Typically made from fabric, cardboard, or paper, tree wraps can encourage good airflow and water distribution while repelling heat and UV rays during the summer and winter. It also prevents sunscald after the leaves have fallen. Not only does wrapping keep the tree healthy and resistant to infestation, but the wrap itself acts as an actual barrier to pests. 

3. Clear Away Decay

Insects are drawn to anything weak and diseased. Discourage them from making a home in your tree by getting rid of rotting fruit and dead leaves that have fallen around it. Although spring and fall are generally best for pruning and trimming, remove any diseased or decayed branch that you see, no matter the time of year. This will make your tree less attractive to pests. 

4. Apply Treatments 

You may notice pests infesting your tree despite your careful tree maintenance routine. Introducing ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and praying mantids to your tree can help, as these are examples of good insects that eat pests and keep plants healthy. You can also try spraying your tree with dormant oil or insecticidal soap to kill off any harmful insects before they can grow too populous. 

For professional help with tree maintenance to protect your tree from insect infestations, contact Bluegrass Tree Service, LLC, in Florence, KY. For more than 30 years, they’ve been dedicated to providing thorough and high-quality tree services to their community, and they’re happy to use their experience to keep your trees free of pests. They also offer tree removal if a diseased or infested tree is too late to save. To get a free estimate, call them today at (859) 746-0708 or message them online.