Get Your Trees in Shape

Summer is strolling towards us, with spring still in our steps and our weather outlook. Your property has had more than one walkthrough to make sure your lawns, grasses, flower beds, herb and vegetable seedlings, and the stuff your kids planted are all growing at a satisfying, healthy clip. 

Let’s take another walk, and see if there’s anything we missed in our landscape check. Over there, do you see it? The oldest on your property, the big tree, is having some difficulties. That last big winter storm might have damaged it, and the damage is just now showing.

Now What?

How are you on ladders? Using saws and clippers at the same time? Let’s give your Divine Lawns team a call. They will give you an estimate for this tree and inspect some of the other trees that seem to need a little help. 

In addition, they can keep the hedges and shrubs in shape and apply fertilizer and pesticides as needed, in the right amounts for each bush or tree. They will also trim the bushes, hedges, and shrubs in such a way as to encourage each one to grow to fullness and health.

You’ve been thinking of having some of the shrubs shaped into simple topiaries, just a couple nearest the house. It will accent your flower beds and house decor for each season or holiday, too.

What is the landscaping team looking for?

They are looking for several things as they make their way across your property. 

• Damage. Broken branches, burns from lightning strikes, and other weather-related damage.
• Diseases. These would include parasites like mistletoe or Spanish moss, different kinds of wilt diseases, and dutch elm disease – there is a long list of diseases that have been or could be devastating to trees in Kansas.
• Checking the canopy of the big trees. Sometimes trees grow a little too enthusiastically to make new branches or even enlarge existing branches, beyond the tree’s ability to get water, nutrients, and light to all tree parts. Trimming in the canopy can fix some of the problems overgrowth can cause.

The landscaping team will undoubtedly note any other issues they see that could affect the health or beauty of your landscape. If you’ve seen anything that you don’t understand, let them know, this is an excellent time to get any problems you and your landscape team noted.

Each tree, bush, or shrub will get the attention needed to bring them to total health.

Time to trim and prune!

Yes, there’s a difference between trimming and pruning, but most people use those words interchangeably.

Trimming removes branches that have become overgrown enough to prevent light and nutrients       from reaching all parts of the tree. Trimming helps to ensure the tree’s overall health by shaping it, allowing all parts of the tree to get light, water, and nutrients as needed to maintain good health.

Pruning also removes branches, but it focuses on diseased or dead branches. Pruning will ensure the growth and development of the tree. For instance, a tree pruned after the blooming cycle will encourage that tree to continue to thrive. In addition, removing dead or diseased branches will encourage the tree’s health and keep diseases from spreading to other trees on your property.

Your landscaping team seems to have things well in hand. The last winter was severe, and there was damage to several of the trees that stand in the open, mostly from wind. In addition, heavy snow cracked or broke several already heavy branches, and those were removed as well.

Greener is better!

Now that we are looking at the trees with the eyes of approaching summer, we can see how much more healthy they are. Each tree seems to have given itself a shake, straightening branches and having new growth throughout the canopy.

The shrubs by the front door have an exciting shape now, too! It’s something to hold the eye, following the green to the flower beds and lovely lawns. Each item looks healthy and well-cared for, and it is!

Your landscape gurus also took a look at the other plantings around the house, and most seem to have survived the winter and cold very well. Some of the flowers will need replacing, but that’s normal for late spring. Your herbs and other edibles are just bursting from the soil; some are already ready to be harvested for the table.  

It’s all good, and Divine Lawns has been the ablest and most reliable source of information and encouragement, keeping up with their regular landscape chores. Amazing!