| What's the one thing that makes a yard? | | | | experience in your climate and |
| It's not size; it's not grass; it's not | | | | tree-type. |
| flowers, garden gnomes, walkways or | | | | Finally, you want to prune your trees. |
| outdoor accessories. It's trees. | | | | Pruning will allow your trees to take on |
| Everyone loves trees; everyone wants | | | | a manageable shape and grow to their |
| trees. It doesn't matter where you live, | | | | full potential. You'll want to start by |
| or if you already have a million, | | | | removing any small dead or dying |
| accumulating more shade givers in your | | | | branches. Then, get rid of branches that |
| front and back yard is an admirable and | | | | appear to be too heavy to remain in the |
| common goal. But what some people | | | | air. This will not only help the tree |
| forget is that it's not just buying and | | | | but you as you continue pruning, as it |
| planting the trees that creates a | | | | will limit the possibility that a branch |
| veritable forest around your home; it's | | | | could fall and strike you during work. |
| also caring for them - watering, | | | | When you make the first cut, cut a foot |
| fertilizing and pruning the trees - that | | | | or so from the trunk of the tree. Make a |
| keeps your hard lush, green and healthy. | | | | second cut a few inches out from the |
| The first step is watering the trees. | | | | first. If it's a large limb, it should |
| You don't want to over-water, nor do you | | | | fall on its own and you can remove the |
| want to under-water. You have to find | | | | remaining stub at the edge of the branch |
| the perfect balance between drought and | | | | collar, or bulging area where the branch |
| soaking. If you have young trees, that | | | | meets the trunk. From there, the wound |
| balance will involve more frequent | | | | you have created by removing the branch |
| watering than if you have older trees. | | | | should callus over without decay. You |
| Older trees only require watering during | | | | should not need a wound dressing, unless |
| extremely hot periods. During those | | | | something has gone wrong in the pruning |
| times, they will require a deep, | | | | process. |
| thorough watering at least once a week, | | | | Whatever you do, you do not want to top |
| but when it is cooler if not damp, they | | | | a tree, meaning you don't want to take |
| need nothing but nature. | | | | shears to the top of the tree cutting |
| You also want to fertilize your trees, | | | | off everything sticking up beyond a |
| particularly if you have experienced | | | | certain point, unless you absolutely |
| drought, infestation or disease. Doing | | | | have to. This act usually stunts the |
| this once a year will ensure that your | | | | shape of a tree and takes away from |
| trees continue to grow and encourage | | | | aesthetics. |
| flowering. The best times for | | | | Your trees should be assets to your yard |
| fertilization are in the early spring or | | | | - they should be something you are proud |
| late fall. To know what kind of | | | | of. Take care of them with proper |
| fertilizer to use and how to apply it, | | | | watering, fertilizing and pruning, and |
| contact a local tree specialist with | | | | they will be. |