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Tree Facts, Myths & Tips
 

Tree Facts


Trees:

  • Do supply the oxygen in the air we breathe.
  • Do keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide
  • Do lower air temperatures by evaporating water in their leaves
  • Do cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.
  • Do provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs
  • Roots do stabilize soil and prevent erosion
  • Do provide food and shelter for wildlife
 
A tree doesn’t reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about ten years, and many trees do not survive that long.  The average tree in metropolitan areas survives only about eight (8) years because of neglect and vandalism.

Tree Myths

 

Myth 1:  Tree roots break sewer lines.
    Truth:   Broken sewer lines attract tree roots.

Myth 2  Tree roots cause sidewalk damage.
    Truth:   Poor soil and unsatisfactory construction practices cause sidewalk
                 damage.

Myth 3:  Tree Stakes are essential.
    Truth:   When planting with 1 ½ - 2 inch caliper balled and burlapped
                 trees, staking is only necessary if trees lean after planting is
                 completed.

Myth 4:  Water is the tree’s wonder drug
    Truth:   More trees are killed by over watering than by under watering. 
               Watering of trees should match your schedule with the amount of
               local rainfall.

Tree Tips

 

When to prune trees depends upon why you prune.  Light pruning and the removal of dead wood can be done anytime.  Otherwise follow these guidelines:

  • Winter:  Pruning during dormancy is the most common practice.  The results of pruning at this time are vigorous new growth.  Some trees like maples, walnuts and birches may “bleed” when the sap begins to flow but this is not harmful.

  • Summer:  To slow or dwarf the development of a tree or branch, pruning should be done right after the growing season is over.  Corrective pruning is easier done at this time of the year because dead limbs or limbs hanging too low fro the weight of leaves can be seen easily.

  • Fall:  Because fungi spread their spores profusely in the fall and wounds are slower to heal, do not prune flowering trees during this time of year.  It is not that detrimental for non-ornamental trees to be pruned at this time.

  • Flowering Trees:  For trees or shrubs that bloom in summer or fall on current years growth, prune in winter.  For trees that bloom in spring from last years growth, prune when their flowers fade.


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Why Topping Hurts Trees:
www.treesaregood.com/treecare/
topping.aspx


 Mature Tree Care:
www.treesaregood.com/treecare/
mature_care.aspx


 Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflict:
www.treesaregood.com/treecare/
avoiding_conflicts.aspx