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How to Transplant a Tree

7/25/2018

 
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Whoops! That perfect spot to plant your tree turned out to be not so ideal after all. Whether you placed your tree in an area that’s no longer compatible with your landscaping, or you’re moving and want to take an important tree with you, sometimes it’s necessary to uproot your saplings. Use these tips from the expert arborists at Tree Service York PA to learn how to transplant a tree successfully.

Consider These Factors Before Transplanting:
  • Tree size: Trunks less than 2” thick are the ideal size for transplant because the root systems are typically still manageable. Once they get much bigger, the process gets a little more complicated. Root pruning might be necessary for mature trees and shrubs. Root pruning requires preparing the roots for transplant well before the actual transplant occurs. If you don’t have the time to commit to this, it might be best to leave the tree where it stands.  
  • Soil and sunlight: Each tree species has its own set of ideal sunlight and soil requirements. Call a tree specialist or do a quick internet search to find out what your tree needs, then make sure the spot you plan to re-plant is suitable for your tree. Things to consider are soil pH level, soil drainage, height and width requirements, and sunlight or shade needs.
  • Transplant time: Most trees fare best when transplanted during early springtime, the dormant season. Certain trees, such as conifers or hardwoods, tolerate relocation during the fall.
  • Only transplant healthy trees: If your sapling has rot or bug infestation, get that problem under control before you relocate the tree or its chances of survival decrease.
  • Care after transplant: All trees experience shock after being moved from one location to another. Generally, younger trees will tolerate the move better than mature trees. Before you transplant, make sure you have the time and energy to water, fertilize, and care for your transplanted tree just like you did the first time you planted it. You’ll need to treat it as if it’s a newly planted tree for at least the first growing season.

How to Transplant a Tree?
So now you’ve done all the preliminary work, investigated the likes and dislikes of your particular tree species, and set your sights on a brand new location for your tree to live out the rest of its days. Now let’s jump to the nitty-gritty of how to actually transplant your tree from one plot of ground to another.

1. Prepare the Roots For Transport
Up to a few days before removal, wet the root area daily to soften the ground.

2. Estimate Root Ball Size
For every inch of the trunk’s diameter, estimate roughly 12 inches of root length. When you begin to dig, you can adjust accordingly.

3. Prepare the New Location
Dig a trench roughly two feet deep and double the width of your estimated root ball size. Don’t dig too deep--you tree should be planted at the same soil level it was. Make sure to moisten the new hole in preparation for its new inhabitant.

4. Time to Dig
First, loosely tie the branches together if necessary. This will help keep them out of your way but will also protect them from breaking during transport. Using a spade, dig a perimeter around the tree using your estimated root ball size as a gauge. Then, with the face of the spade angled away from the roots, carefully dig deeply around the circle. When you hit stray roots, cut them clean. After you’ve cut down around the root ball, carefully dig underneath.

5. Wrap the Root Ball
Lift or tip the tree from under the roots and carefully wrap the entire root ball, dirt and all, into a tarp or piece of burlap. Fasten with rope.

6. Transplant Immediately
Re-plant your tree as soon as possible and water thoroughly to help prevent transplant shock.
Now, treat your tree as you did when you first planted it. Water it diligently and check on it periodically for signs of shock. After a few growing seasons, your tree should be re-established and happily settled in its new location.

Most young trees are hardy and tolerate relocation quite well. However, if you notice any signs of transplant shock, a tree specialist can diagnose the problem and help you get your tree back on track. If you live in the York, PA area, give Tree Service York PA a call. Tree care is our passion: From emergency tree care to storm tree removal and everything in between, we do it all.​

Should You Mulch Around Trees? Yes, and Here’s Why.

7/18/2018

 
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Planting trees can be quite the expense in itself, so it’s no wonder people hesitate to put mulch around trees. Mulch can be costly and applying it takes a bit of work. But trust us--mulch is essential to helping new trees get the protection and nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong. Here are Tree Service York PA’s top three reasons every young tree needs mulch:
  1. Trunk and Root Protection: Mulch protects the tree trunk from mowers and weed-eaters and shields the roots from foot traffic, weed and grass interference, and harsh temperature fluctuations that lead to root stress.
  2. Increased Growth: Mulch encourages growth by increasing minerals and nutrients in the soil around the root system. It also helps the soil retain moisture that the roots sponge up in order to grow. Mulched trees grow almost double the speed of non-mulched trees! If that’s not motivation to mulch, what is?
  3. Promotes Soil Health: In addition to trapping minerals to keep soil healthy, mulching your tree helps reduce soil erosion, keeping the top layer of nutrient-rich soil around your tree’s roots for longer.

What Kind of Mulch Is Best?
The best mulch is organic, thick, composted bark or wood chips. A bed of pine needles or leaves works well, too. Don’t use mulch made of plastics, fabrics, or moss: These types of mulches do not provide the same benefits as organic mulch.

How Much Mulch Should I Use?
Use no more than 2-4 inches of mulch, spread 3-5 feet around the perimeter of the tree. Too much mulch can actually be detrimental to your tree, encouraging disease or rot.

How to Apply Mulch Around Trees:
Remove all weeds and grass from the perimeter of your tree, about 3-5 feet outward. Apply a layer of your preferred mulch, starting a few inches out from the trunk’s base. Never pile massive amounts of mulch right up on the base of the trunk as it encourages rot. A just-right layer of mulch will improve the health of your tree the way nature intended.

To keep your mulch in tip-top shape, perform yearly upkeep: Rake back existing mulch a few feet and fill in the ring with fresh mulch.

If you have tree care questions, we have the answers at Tree Service York PA. From tree removal to planting to tree trimming services, we do it all.​

Tree Swings Are Great Summer Fun

7/11/2018

 
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We can agree that many of the best childhood memories involve a swing. It doesn’t matter whether it was a metal and chain swing from the school yard or a tire swing dangling from a favorite oak tree--the feelings were the same: Freedom. Joy. A sense of excitement that anything was possible.

Now that we’re older, we’d like to re-create those same feelings of wonder for our own kids by fixing up the perfect backyard tree swing. But then our parent brain kicks in: Which tree’s branches are sturdy and safe enough to trust? Which kinds of trees can withstand the beating that a child’s tree swing will induce?

Tree Service York PA knows all about trees--tree care is our passion and expertise. Use our handy guide to determine which tree in your yard is best suited for a tree swing.

Type of Tree: The tree you pick should be a well established, sturdy hardwood tree with horizontal branches. If you have an old oak tree, consider yourself lucky. Oaks might as well have been created for swings. In addition to their thick leaf covering to provide shade, most oak trees feature wide, strong trunks and sturdy horizontal growing branches. You should shoot for a limb diameter of over ten inches for the best swing experience.

Condition of Tree: Inspect any tree you consider to make sure it is healthy and free of rot or disease. Carefully look over the trunk and especially the branches. Do not use branches that are split, infested with bugs, or have a thin connection to the trunk. If the limb is dying, do not use it!

Placement of Swing: Make sure that the branches are long enough to place the swing with at least a 4-5’ clearance from the trunk. You could have the perfect tree, but if the swing does not have enough room to sway through its full arc, you’ll be looking at skinned legs and sad kids instead of fun summer memories.

Once you’ve picked your perfect tree, attach a tire or rope and board swing and let the fun begin! Who knows, after watching the excitement in your child’s face as they soar to the highest heights, you might want to jump on, too. And no one can stop you.

We love trees--so much so that we’ve built an entire company around tree care. If you live near York, PA, and have questions about tree trimming and removal, we’ve got answers. Call us at 717-216-4888.​

How to Correctly Stake a Tree

7/4/2018

 
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Are you wondering how to stake a tree? It’s quick and easy to do. But before we begin Tree Staking 101, we’ll let you in on a secret: Most trees do not need to be staked.

Why? Letting your new tree grow naturally without help will allow it to anchor a robust and hardy root system into the ground, stabilizing it for years to come. The trunk of the tree will also benefit from building bulk and strength right off the bat. In fact, staking certain types of trees is actually detrimental to their growth.


There are a few instances that stakes are necessary, though. Let’s break it down:

When to Stake
  • Bare root trees
  • Container grown trees with a small root system
  • Young trees if you live in a wind-prone area
  • Top heavy young trees with a small root ball

When Not to Stake
  • Ball and burlap trees
  • Most container-grown trees
  • Conifers and evergreens

How to Stake a Tree
If you’ve determined your tree needs to be staked, you’ll be pleased with how easy it is. You’ll need only a few things:

Stake material: thin but sturdy metal or wood stakes (2)
Strapping material: soft material such as old pantyhose or canvas strapping (2)
  1. Insert the stakes on opposite sides of the tree, about 18” out from the trunk. Make sure not to drive the stakes into the root system.
  2. Gently tie the stakes to the tree, no more than ⅔ the way up the trunk. The ties should allow a little give so the tree can sway freely. Tying the material in a figure 8 around the stake and tree will allow the tree some wiggle room.
  3. Check the ties periodically to make sure they are not damaging the trunk.
  4. After a year, remove the stakes to allow the tree to begin growing on its own.

Yep, it’s that easy. When necessary, staking a young tree can provide it the jumpstart it needs to live a long, strong, and healthy life.

We love sharing our tree knowledge fellow arborists because at Tree Service York PA, tree care is our passion. From tree planting to stump grinding to emergency tree removal, we offer tree care services that are affordable and professionally executed. That’s why we’re the top tree specialist in central PA.

For more tips, read our blog or
give us a call at 717-216-4888.
​

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Tree Service York PA
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  • Home
  • Services
    • Emergency Tree Service
    • Tree Cutting
    • Tree Removal
    • Tree Crown Reduction
    • Tree Trimming
    • Stump Grinding
    • Stump Removal
    • Tree Cabling and Bracing
    • Tree Crowning
    • Tree Pruning
    • Wood Chipping
    • Land and Brush Clearing
    • Tree Planting
  • About
  • Contact
  • Locations Served
    • Leaders Heights
    • Jacobus
    • Emigsville
    • Mount Wolf
    • Manchester
    • Marietta
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    • Windsor
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