“Can I Remove a Tree Myself?” & Other Common Tree Care Questions

Have you ever been tempted to try your hand at tree care but held back by everything you don’t know? Trees are complicated organisms and the proper methods of caring for them can be confusing if you don’t have a background in arboreal studies. If you’re seeking answers to some of the most common tree care questions that arborists get asked, just keep reading.

 

tree trimming services pro-treeCan I remove a tree myself?

That depends on the size of the tree in question. If there is a small tree on your property that can easily be sawed down and removed without any risk of property damage when it is felled, then yes, you can probably go ahead and remove it yourself. However, in the case of larger trees, do-it-yourself tree removal is ill-advised. When a large tree falls, it can easily cause injury or damage to nearby buildings. Furthermore, a permit may be required to remove a large tree from your property in Minnesota. Due to issues of safety, convenience and legality, it’s strongly recommended that you hire a professional tree care company to fell and remove a tree on your property.

 

What time of year should I prune my trees?

It is often best to prune trees in late winter or early spring, since the trees are still in a dormant state and pruning unwanted branches won’t leave them vulnerable to pests and disease. Some pruning during summer and fall is okay but excessive pruning when trees are at their most active can be harmful. However, the best time to prune partially depends on the species of trees around your home in Minnesota. Some tree species, including hydrangeas and oaks, respond well to summer and fall pruning.

 

Do I need to fertilize my trees?

Young and newly planted trees should be fertilized once per year, ideally in the spring. This helps to stimulate healthy growth, allowing trees to reach maturity more quickly. Once trees are mature, the need for fertilization decreases. However, to maintain vibrant foliage and avoid nutrient deficiencies, you may still want to fertilize mature trees every 2-3 years. The best way to fertilize trees is with soil injections of liquid fertilizer. By injecting fertilizer directly into the root systems of trees, tree care professionals in Minnesota can ensure they receive all the nutrients they need to thrive.

 

Is it bad to leave stumps in my yard?

Yes, leaving stumps in your yard after trees have been removed can have a negative impact on your property. In addition to being eyesores and trip hazards, stumps will attract fungi and pests as they deteriorate. Wood-boring pests such as subterranean termites and carpenter ants frequently target stumps and, once they’re established on your property, they may invade your home. Fungal diseases also thrive in tree stumps and can then spread to the healthy trees on your property, causing them to decline. By scheduling stump grinding services with a local tree care company in the Twin Cities, you can mitigate these risks and also make your yard look better.

 

Is professional tree care worth it?

The short answer is “yes” – but it doesn’t hurt to learn how to take care of your own trees. Basic tree care such as watering, fertilizing, and pruning small branches are things that you can do yourself to help the trees around your home flourish. For more complex or dangerous tree care tasks like tree removal, pruning large hazardous branches, and preventing Emerald Ash Borer infestations, you should hire a professional tree care company in Minnesota. Arborists and other trained tree care specialists have advanced knowledge and equipment that allow them to perform tree care tasks which the average property owner cannot.

 

The Twin Cities’ #1 Tree Care Company

Do you have more questions about tree care? Call Pro-Tree Outdoor Services today to ask us anything about trees or schedule tree care services in the greater Twin Cities area!

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