Taking Care of Old Trees on Your Property
We are blessed here in Aotearoa to have beautiful native trees, such as Rimu, Tōtara, Kauri, Kōwhai, and Pūriri, gracing our backyards. They form the backdrop of our family photos, shelter for our picnics, and homes for our insects and birdlife.
Our trees, native or not, can also prove beneficial for absorbing traffic noise, capturing air pollution, and protecting our homes from the elements. So, it goes without saying that when they serve all of these purposes, they are something we should take care of.
Trees have the potential to live for several generations with the right care and attention. Learn how to take care of old trees on your property below. Your family can then enjoy them for years to come, but so too can the families after you.
Spread Mulch Around the Base
Mulch is beneficial for your gardens, is easy to make, and affordable to buy. But did you know the old trees on your property can also benefit from it? An even layer of mulch covering the trees’ roots and soil surrounding them can be more helpful than you might think.
It insulates your trees’ roots, offers the soil much-needed nutrients, and discourages people from walking on them. Wood chips or shredded wood can make an excellent mulch for your trees. However, it’s essential to keep it away from the bark of your tree, for it can promote rot and disease.
Look After the Bark
Just above, we mentioned how important it is to keep mulch away from your tree bark to avoid rot and disease. But creating a ring of mulch around your tree, distanced from your bark, can also aid in protecting that bark, as well.
That mulch can reduce the risk of power tools damaging the bark, which has growing tissue and water vessels beneath it. Healthy bark promotes a healthy tree, so it’s well worth putting in the effort.
Take Care of the Roots
Your tree’s roots are its lifeline, which means they require plenty of care and attention to ensure they can give your tree the health and vitality it requires. Taking care of your tree’s roots doesn’t require a lot of effort, but it’s not something we think about as often as we should.
Take note of the soil quality around your tree’s roots. If it’s packed down, it may not be letting in as much water and air as it needs. You can avoid your soil being flattened by avoiding placing furniture, cars, or play equipment near the tree’s base. Using mulch can also stop it from being used as a shortcut to footpaths and driveways.
Bring in the Experts
If you’re worried about your tree’s health, or you want an expert’s opinion, then contact a certified arborist. They can help identify tree diseases, damage, and advise on the best course of action regarding tree trimming and pruning.
Trees can develop rot, dead branches, cracks, and disease over time. Requesting the assistance of an arborist can prevent this from becoming a problem in the future.
Don’t Use it as a Toy
It can be tempting to hang a tire swing from a large tree, but it’s not always going to be in your tree’s best interests. Over time, the rope from which you’ve hung your swing can wear away the bark and damage its tissue. You also run the risk of having the branch break from wear and tear.
Reading a book in a hammock suspended from a tree is a fun way to pass the time. Still, it’s essential to approach the installation of a hammock in a particular way. Rather than use a rope, a drilled hole and eyebolt will be a far less damaging option.
Water It
Most of the time, you won’t need to worry about watering your trees. New Zealand tends to get plenty of rainfall in most parts of the country. However, during times of drought, your old tree may require a helping hand.
When you go about your daily task of watering your shrubs and other plants, give your mature trees some attention, as well. Turn the hose on so that it produces a small trickle. Place it under the tree in a root zone and move it every 15 to 20 minutes until you’ve watered the entire root area.
If you can’t reach your tree with a hose, distribute buckets of water slowly over the root zone until you’ve applied it evenly.
Plant More Trees
It’s always a good idea to look after the trees you already have, but what else can you be doing? For the sake of climate change and your environment, planting more trees is always a good idea. You can gift native trees to friends and family members for special events like birthdays, and even become involved in tree planting initiatives.
You never know, taking care of old trees on your property may evoke a new passion for caring for your natural environment.