Trees are an essential part of your home landscaping, so it's important that you take care of them. Practicing the following do's and don'ts will help your trees stay strong for a longer period, ensuring your yard's beauty lasts for years to come.

Do:

Keep grass away.

A tree needs water and nutrition from the soil like any other plant, so grass that grows right up to the trunk will be depriving that tree of these essentials. This is why you'll often see tree service professionals clearing the area surrounding a tree. Once you remove the grass, lay mulch around the trunk to trap moisture and keep the grass from returning.

Inspect your trees.

Tour your property regularly to ensure all of your trees stay healthy. You don't have to be an expert on tree diseases to know when something is wrong as long as you're observant. Be watchful for insect infestations, missing or rotted bark, oddly colored leaves, or many dead limbs. If you do notice a problem, a landscaping professional can help you treat it.

Don’t:

Overdo the pruning.

While pruning is important, it shouldn't be done as frequently as you conduct other landscaping tasks. In fact, older trees should generally be left alone, unless you're trimming dead limbs or water sprouts that shoot up at the base of the trunk or off mature limbs. You can also consider doing some tree pruning to eliminate problem branches that threaten your home or garage.

Disrupt the roots.

Whether you're adding onto your home or putting in a new driveway, you and your contractor should consider the landscaping. Even though the trees on your property may not be close to the construction site, the roots are longer and could be underfoot. To be safe, avoid digging within 10 feet of the longest branch.

If you need help keeping your trees healthy and strong all year round, contact Columbia Tree & Lawn Service in Jessup, MD. This landscaping team has more than 40 years of experience with tree care. When a tree has reached the end of its life, or has become a nuisance, they also offer removal services. You can learn more about their options online, or call (410) 740-5444 to discuss your landscaping needs with a member of their team.