Tree Care Tips:
Common Myths And Misconceptions About Tree Care

(HIT) - Most homeowners treasure the trees on their property, but very few seem to know how to care for their trees properly. In fact, much of what you’ve heard about tree care is probably incorrect. According to the International Society of Arboriculture—a nonprofit organization that supports tree care research all over the world—myths and misconceptions about the proper care of trees abound.

Here are some of the more common myths about tree care, along with a few tree care tips to help set the record straight:

Tree Care Myth: When a tree is planted it should always be securely staked.

Fact: Sometimes it’s necessary to stake a tree to keep it upright until roots are well-established, but there can be some adverse effects to staking. For example, an unstaked tree tends to develop a more extensive root system—and better trunk taper—than a tree that has been staked. In fact, a small amount of movement can help tree root and trunk development. Staking wires or ties can also cause trunk damage. If you do decide to stake a tree, remove staking materials after one year to avoid "girdling" the tree.

Tree Care Myth: Newly planted trees should be wrapped to prevent sun scalding and damage from insects.

Fact: Studies show that common tree wraps do little to prevent temperature fluctuations on the bark of a tree. And in some cases, the fluctuations are even more extreme! Tree wraps have also proven ineffective at preventing insect entry. Some insects will even burrow under the tree wrap.

Tree Care Myth: Newly planted trees should be pruned heavily to compensate for the loss of roots.

Fact: Unpruned trees are more easily established, because trees need a full crown to produce the food and hormones needed to induce root growth. A better approach when planting a new tree is to limit pruning to structural training and removal of damaged branches.

Tree Care Myth: When removing a tree branch, the final cut should be flush with the stem to optimize healing.

Fact: Trees don’t "heal" in the same way we do. While humans heal by regenerating or replacing damaged tissue, trees compartmentalize a wound, generating "woundwood" over the damaged area. Since flush cutting removes the "branch collar," a larger wound is created than if the branch were simply removed outside the collar area. Also, it’s likely that some of the parent branch tissue will be removed in a flush cut, which increases the danger of spreading decay inside the tree.

Tree Care Myth: Wounds larger than three inches in diameter should be painted with a wound dressing.

Fact: Research shows that common wound dressings don’t inhibit decay, don’t prevent insect entry, and may actually slow down wound closure.

Tree Care Myth: Silver maple, Siberian elm and other fast-growing, weak-wooded trees should be "topped" to make them less hazardous.

Fact: Topping these trees may reduce a potential hazard in the short term, but they may become even more dangerous in the future. That’s because topping stimulates the growth of twigs below each cut, leading to branches with weaker attachments. Also, decay can spread inside of the branches that were topped. Within 2–5 years, these trees will have regained their height, but they’ll be weaker than they were before topping. Better alternatives include thinning, cabling, or replacement with a more suitable species.

Tree Care Myth: Early Spring pruning will cause certain tree species to "bleed," stressing the tree and causing health problems.

Fact: Some trees—such as maples and birches—will lose sap from pruning cuts made early in the Spring. But this bleeding does not hurt the tree, and the loss of sap is inconsequential. With a few exceptions, routine pruning can be done at any time of year. The worst time to prune is just as the tree is leafing out in the Spring. The best time to prune is when a tree is dormant. To maximize flowering the following year, prune a tree just after this year’s bloom.

Tree Care Myth: A tree’s root system is a mirror of its top.

Fact: Many people envision trees as having a large, branching taproot growing deep into the soil. But, in fact, taproots are very uncommon in mature trees. Most root systems will be found entirely within the first three feet of soil, and they’ll frequently spread to cover an area two to three times the spread of the tree’s crown. When taproots do develop, they frequently grow horizontally due to hard subsoils beneath the surface.

Tree Care Myth: Trees require "deep" fertilization to reach the root system.

Fact: In most U.S. soils, fibrous, absorbing tree roots grow in the top eight inches of soil, where they find water and oxygen available. Fertilizers placed 12" to 18" underground are too deep.

Tree Care Myth: When a tree’s root system is damaged, the crown should be cut back to compensate.

Fact: Research does not support this. In fact, unpruned trees seem to respond better to root damage than those that have been pruned. Although a tree with damaged roots will probably lose some branches (if it survives at all), it’s better to let the tree decide which branches to sacrifice. Limit pruning on a root damaged tree to hazard reduction at first. Later, if the tree rebounds, further pruning may be in order.

You Don’t Have To Go It Alone

Trees add value and aesthetics to property, and should be cared for accordingly. A qualified arborist can give you sound advice about the proper care of trees, and they can also provide tree care services when needed. When choosing an arborist, look for ISA Certification, membership in professional associations, and proof of insurance. Be wary of individuals who go door-to-door offering bargains for tree care work, and don’t be afraid to check references.

For more tree care tips, visit www.treesaregood.com. To locate an ISA Certified arborist, visit the International Society of Arboriculture online at www.isa-arbor.org, or write to ISA at P.O. Box 3129, Champaign, IL 61826.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center