Beautiful trees on a property are more visually appealing and can create an atmosphere that potential customers and clients feel comfortable in. Planting trees on your commercial property is one thing, proper tree care once they are in the ground is another. Appearance is everything, and if your trees aren’t maintained, it can ruin your property’s image and portray a somewhat unprofessional look. When it comes to commercial tree care, the Omni Tree Service team are experts and we are here to help! Below are some of the most common mistakes commercial property owners make with their trees.
Improper Irrigation
Many commercial properties have irrigation systems in place that are preset to turn on and off at certain times. While this certainly makes it easier for property owners not to forget to water their trees, it could cause more harm than good. Ideally, the irrigation schedule should adjust to daily weather fluctuations and the condition of the trees.
For example, if it has rained a lot over the last several days, there is no need to let the irrigation system run; or if the weather has been dry, the irrigation schedule may need to be adjusted to provide the trees with water more frequently. When trees receive more or less water than they should, it exposes them to possible diseases while decreasing photosynthesis. This can stunt their growth and cause them to die if the weather becomes too stressful for them to handle.
Equipment Damage
Commercial properties are typically maintained by landscaping companies that are responsible for trimming the grass and making sure the area looks presentable. Unfortunately, landscaping companies often don’t pay close attention to the trees and are not careful enough when using equipment around them.
Skimming a tree with an edge trimmer, or weed whacker, may not seem like a big deal, but it can actually cause a great deal of damage. Weed wackers and lawnmowers are powerful enough to damage or remove pieces of bark from the tree, which could prove fatal for tree growth. Bark allows trees to soak up necessary nutrients and water, so any damage to it will deny trees of those essentials. The tree will also become more vulnerable to pests and diseases if its bark is wounded. To prevent this problem, it’s important for commercial property owners to work with a certified arborist to ensure that their trees are protected from damage.
Incorrect Tree Pruning
Tree pruning is a necessity for proper tree maintenance. Too little pruning can weaken trees as it prevents them from getting enough sun coverage that aids growth. Excessive pruning, on the other hand, can cause deep wounds that the tree cannot recover from. Finding the right balance when pruning can be difficult for property owners, that’s why it is best to have a professional tree service handle the job to ensure your trees are getting the right amount of pruning for optimal health.
Using Too Much Mulch
Adding a layer of mulch around the base of a tree is a great way to hide roots and keep the property looking neat. Mulch contains moisture which a tree needs to stay healthy, however, using too much mulch can compromise the tree’s health. If too much mulch is applied around the base of the tree, the roots will not be able to absorb enough oxygen to keep the tree alive.
Too much mulch could mean that it is absorbing more moisture than the tree needs. Excess moisture will slowly seep into tree bark and into the tree trunk, creating the perfect environment for pests, mold, and mildew, which can all cause serious damage to the tree. While a property owner may think a high pile of mulch looks good, it could lead to a diseased or dead tree. Remember, less is more.
Planting Too Deep
Many commercial property owners do not want tree roots growing aboveground and may try to keep the roots completely hidden by planting the tree deeper in the ground than it needs to be. They assume that planting the tree deep in the ground will give the roots more space to grow underground so they don’t become exposed. However, planting your tree too deep can cause major issues. The top layers of soil contain nutrients and water that the tree roots need in order to keep the tree healthy and strong. If the tree roots are buried deep within the soil, they won’t have access to these nutrients, and the tree will suffer as a result.
Contact Our Commercial Tree Service in St. Louis
Omni Tree Service provides professional tree care services to the St. Louis area. We work with both residential and commercial property owners. Our tree care experts specialize in tree trimming and pruning, tree takedown and removal, tree disease treatment, emergency tree services, and much more.
For more information on caring for trees on commercial properties, contact us today!
