5 Tips for Keeping Your Trees Healthy in Austin

Keeping your trees healthy can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Tree Scouts has put together a list of things you can do as a homeowner to protect your trees and keep them healthy for a very long time.

How to Maintain Your Trees in Austin, Texas

Here are a few simple steps you can take.

Check out the 365 Things Austin blog post here.

1. Trim Your Trees

Keeping your trees trimmed has many benefits beyond just making them look amazing.

Pruning helps remove diseased, dead, or overgrown branches that may hinder growth. Proper pruning keeps your tree healthy and strong while protecting it from unwanted diseases. Be sure to have professional tree trimming done by a legitimate company.

Did you know that younger trees require more trimming than older, mature trees? You should plan to have your younger trees trimmed by a professional company every two to three years and at least every three to five years for mature trees. Ensure a professional adhering to ANSI standards trims them to avoid over-trimming or leaving open wounds that can lead to disease or pests.

2. Fertilize Your Trees

Just like plants, your trees need the proper nutrients to grow and stay strong! Here are a few essential nutrients your tree needs to stay healthy:

Potassium
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Calcium

Avoid fertilizing during the hot summer months, as trees are already stressed from drought and heat. The ideal time is in the spring or when Austin is expecting rain, which helps wash the nutrients into the root system. If you have no experience in this field (most don’t), consult an arborist to evaluate your trees and create a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.

3. Water Your Trees

This one seems obvious, right?

However, there is still a science behind when and how frequently to water your trees in the Central Texas climate. Proper watering encourages root growth and keeps your trees thriving. Younger trees need more frequent watering because their branches and trunk are thinner and cannot store as much water as mature trees.

The older the tree, the longer it can go between waterings due to its larger storage capacity. When it's hot and dry, deep watering a few times a month is recommended to keep them satiated. Deep watering is more effective than frequent light watering, as it allows the roots to absorb more water.

4. Mulch Your Trees

Mulching your trees helps protect them from pests, weeds, and severe weather.

You should mulch your trees once a year, applying a layer about two to four inches high. Avoid piling mulch directly against the trunk, as excessive mulch can cause problems for your tree.

5. Monitor Your Trees for Diseases

Here are some common tree diseases in the region:

Oak Wilt: If left untreated, this disease can kill your precious oak trees. Symptoms include leaf discoloration, dead branches in the upper canopy progressing downward, and sudden canopy loss over months.
Hypoxylon Canker Fungus: This fungus causes severe decay, leading to branch failure or tree death. Symptoms include peeling bark with gray or black fungus patches underneath and leaves turning brown and dropping.
Fire Blight: This disease weakens branches and causes rapid tree decay if untreated. Symptoms include leaves and blossoms turning brown or black, curling twig and branch tips, discolored lesions, and damaged fruit remaining on the tree.

If you suspect your trees are affected by disease, call an arborist immediately to diagnose and treat the issue. Ignoring the problem can cause permanent damage and potential tree loss!

For more information and to keep your trees thriving, click here to reach out to Tree Scouts.