Many commercial property owners plant trees on their properties in order to make it more visually appealing for their customers. But unfortunately, they often don’t know how to properly care for the trees once they’re in the ground. According to the experts at our Denver tree service company, here are some of the common mistakes that owners make when caring for trees on commercial properties:

Irrigation Issues

Most commercial properties have irrigation systems that are preset to turn on and off at certain times. This certainly makes remembering to water the trees more convenient for property owners, however it could cause more harm than good. Ideally, the irrigation schedule should be adjusted depending on the weather and the condition of the trees.

For example, if it has rained a lot over the last several days, there’s no need to let the irrigation system run. In fact, letting it run when the trees have already received enough water can affect their ability to grow. On the other hand, if the weather has been dry, the irrigation schedule may need to be adjusted so the trees are watered more frequently. Watering trees too much or too little is one of the major mistakes that almost every commercial property owner makes.

Equipment Damage

Commercial properties are typically maintained by landscaping companies that are responsible for trimming the grass and making sure the area looks presentable. However, these landscaping companies often don’t pay much attention to the trees. As a result, they aren’t careful when using equipment such as lawnmowers and edge trimmers around trees.

Bumping into a tree with an edge trimmer may not seem like a big deal, but it can actually cause a great deal of damage. Edge trimmers and lawnmowers are powerful enough to remove pieces of bark from the tree. In some cases, they can do enough damage to interrupt the transfer of nutrients within the tree. The tree will also become more vulnerable to pests and diseases if its bark is wounded by a lawnmower or edge trimmer. To prevent this problem, it’s important for commercial property owners to work with Denver tree service companies as opposed to landscape companies that have little experience caring for trees.

Planting the Tree Incorrectly

People can trip over exposed tree roots and seriously injure themselves, which is why many commercial property owners do not want them growing aboveground. But, tree roots are somewhat uncontrollable. As the tree grows, the roots will grow in every direction where there is space. Some commercial property owners try to keep the tree roots completely hidden by planting the tree deeper in the ground than it needs to be. They assume that by keeping the tree deep in the ground, the roots will have more space to grow underground so they don’t ever grow aboveground. However, planting a tree deep within the ground is not recommended. 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.

Take a look at the trees on your property. Are there any that do not have any visible roots? If so, it’s probably best to call a tree service company to examine the situation. A professional may need to remove some of the soil around the base of the tree in order to give the roots access to the shallow soil they need to survive.

Using the Wrong Fertilizer

All fertilizers are not created equal. Each type of fertilizer contains a unique combination of nutrients, so it’s important to figure out which nutrients your soil needs before fertilizing it. To do this, purchase a soil testing kit at a local home and garden store or contact a professional to perform the test instead. The soil test will tell you the nutrient content of the soil, which is information that you will need in order to pick the right fertilizer. For example, if the test shows that the soil is low in potassium or phosphorus, you would know to use a fertilizer that contained these minerals. Learn how to test your soil.

By using the wrong fertilizer, property owners are often creating a poor growing environment for their trees that could result in irregular growth or unstable trees. For instance, if the soil on the property is already rich in nitrogen, there’s no need to use a fertilizer that contains nitrogen. If you do, leaves may grow uncontrollably on the tree, but the tree’s flowers will not bloom.  

Using Too Much Mulch

Adding a layer of mulch around the base of a tree is a great way to hide unsightly roots and keep the property looking neat and orderly. However, many property owners make the mistake of using way too much mulch around their trees. If too much mulch is applied around the base of the tree, the roots will not be able to absorb oxygen they need to keep the tree alive.

It’s also important to remember that mulch absorbs moisture. If mulch is piled high against the base of a tree, the moisture absorbed by the mulch will slowly seep into the tree trunk. This creates the perfect environment for pests, mold, and mildew, which can all cause serious damage to the tree. Even though a property owner may think a high pile of mulch looks good, it could lead to a diseased or dead tree.

For more information on caring for trees on commercial properties, talk to the experts. Arbor Garden is a locally owned and operated tree services company that specializes in tree pruning, removing, stump removal, planting, and pest management. We work with both residential and commercial property owners, so we would be more than happy to help you care for the trees on your commercial property. Contact us today to learn more about our tree and integrated pest management services and receive a free estimate.