You have had your trees trimmed, and they look good. They look healthy and safe. This is a good thing. But tree trimming is not a one-and-done job, especially here in Davis. Our hot summers put stress on our trees. Occasional drought years also put stress on our trees. The Delta Breeze can also cause stress. You made a good investment in your trees. You will want to protect that investment. We can talk about how to make that professional Tree Trimming last. We can also talk about what regular maintenance looks like for your trees.
Extending the Life of Your Tree Trimming
When Midway Tree finishes a job, we are not just cutting branches. We make strategic cuts to improve the tree's health. We also improve the tree's structure as well as its safety. To keep that good work going, you need to follow up with some basic care. Our team will make sure your trees are trimmed correctly.
- Proper Watering is Key: Watering is very important in California. After a Tree Trimming, your tree still needs consistent watering. It needs deep watering, especially during our long, dry summers in Davis. Do not just rely on your lawn sprinklers. Those sprinklers encourage shallow roots. Shallow roots are not good for established trees. Deep, infrequent watering is the best way to water. Mature trees might only need extra water during the hottest months.
- Mulch, Mulch, Mulch: A good layer of organic mulch helps your trees a lot. It should be 4 to 6 inches deep around the base of your tree. Mulch helps hold moisture in the soil. It also keeps soil temperatures stable. In addition, mulch suppresses weeds. This is very important for our silty clay loam soils in Davis. These soils can get compacted and dry out fast.
- Do Not Over-Fertilize: Most established trees do not need a lot of fertilizer. This is true unless an arborist tells you otherwise. Too much fertilizer can actually stress them out. Focus on healthy soil instead. Healthy soil has good organic matter.
- Avoid Damage to the Trunk and Roots: Be careful with mowers around the base of your trees. Be careful with weed whackers too. Wounds to the trunk can let pests and diseases in. Also, try not to compact the soil around the tree's root zone.
What Regular Maintenance Looks Like
Think of tree maintenance like getting your car serviced. You do not wait for something to break. You do regular check-ups to prevent bigger problems. Trees are the same way. Midway Tree can help with regular maintenance in Davis.
- Annual Visual Inspections: Walk around your trees a few times each year. Look up. Look down. Look all around. You are looking for anything that is not normal.
- Clean Up Deadwood: Even healthy trees shed dead branches. You can remove small dead twigs and branches yourself. This is if they are easy to reach. They also need to be small enough, less than 3.5 inches in diameter. This keeps the tree healthy. It also reduces fire risk in Davis.
- Monitor for Pests and Diseases: We have a lot of issues here in Yolo County. These include invasive shot hole borers as well as various fungi. Catching these early can make a big difference. Our team can help identify these problems.
- Consider Fruit Tree Specifics: Fruit trees have a different pruning schedule. Most deciduous fruit trees in California do best with major pruning during their dormant period. This is in January and February. This helps with fruit production as well as quality.
Warning Signs of Problems
Your trees usually tell you when something is wrong. You just need to know what to look for. Do not ignore these signals. Midway Tree can help identify these issues in Davis.
- Leaf Discoloration or Premature Drop: Leaves that are yellowing are a red flag. Browning leaves are also a red flag. Spotted leaves out of season are also a red flag. Leaves dropping too early is also a red flag. This can mean disease. It can also mean nutrient deficiency or root stress.
- Thinning Canopy: If you can see a lot more sky through the branches, the tree might be declining.
- Bark Abnormalities: Oozing sap is bad news. Cankers are also bad news. Cankers are sunken dead patches. Bark falling off in sheets is also bad news.
- Fungal Growth: Mushrooms growing on the trunk are a strong sign of internal decay. Conks growing at the base of the tree are also a strong sign. Get this checked out right away by Midway Tree.
- Cracks or Splits in the Trunk or Branches: These can show structural weakness. They can also show potential failure.
- Leaning: A sudden lean is a major warning sign. A significant lean in a tree that was upright is also a major warning sign. This means root instability.
- Dead or Dying Branches: Some deadwood is normal. Large dead branches are a problem. A lot of deadwood throughout the canopy is also a problem.
When to Call a Professional
You can handle a lot of the basic things. But some jobs are definitely for the professionals. Do not hesitate to call a certified arborist if you see any of those warning signs. Here are other times to pick up the phone for Tree Trimming in Davis.
- Large Branches or High Work: If a branch is too big to cut with hand pruners, you need a professional. If you need a ladder to reach it, it is time for a professional. Climbing trees with chainsaws is dangerous work.
- Branches Near Power Lines: This is a huge safety risk. Never try to trim branches near power lines yourself. Call Midway Tree for this.
- Structural Issues: If you notice large cracks, a professional needs to assess the tree's stability. Splits or a significant lean also need assessment.
- Pest or Disease Identification and Treatment: Proper diagnosis of tree diseases requires expert knowledge. Treatment of pest infestations also requires expert knowledge.
- Post-Storm Damage: Inspect your trees after a big windstorm. We get these occasionally here in the Central Valley. If you see broken branches, call us. If you see hanging branches, call us.
- You Have Not Trimmed in 3-5 Years: Most trees benefit from a professional trim every few years. This helps maintain health as well as structure. The City of Davis even prunes its own trees on a 7-year cycle.
- Planning Major Pruning or Removal: Get an arborist's opinion if you are thinking about big changes to your tree. Improper cuts can permanently damage a tree.
- Before Construction or Landscaping Projects: Trees are often damaged during construction. An arborist can help protect them.
Your trees are a valuable part of your property. They are also a valuable part of our Davis community. They provide shade. They also provide beauty. In addition, they increase your home's value. Taking care of them is not just about how they look. It is about safety as well as long-term health. Do not wait until a small problem becomes a big one. Do not wait until it becomes an expensive one. Do not wait until it becomes a dangerous one. Give us a call at Midway Tree if you have questions. We are always here to help our neighbors in Davis. Our team provides expert Tree Trimming services.