Gainesville is one of 59 cities to earn the designation of “tree cities of the world”—and rightfully so. Many homeowners are drawn to our city by the numerous trees throughout the area, which provide shade and natural beauty.
But are you prepared for the care and maintenance your new home’s trees will need? How do you make sure that your yard doesn’t have any hidden dangers?
A tree inspection for your new home can be the answer. Today, we’ll help you understand why this inspection is so important and what to look for in your new yard to ensure a beautiful, safe landscape.
Beginning the Inspection: Know the Signs of Tree Damage
Examining the trees in your yard for signs of damage is a good first step to ensuring your home is safe. When first doing a walk-through of your yard, you’ll want to check the trees on your property for the following:
- The tree is structurally compromised.
- The tree is at risk of falling on a valuable target, such as your home or car, if it hangs over it.
- The tree’s roots are growing in unwanted areas, causing damage.
- The tree is visibly dead or diseased.
- The tree has a visible pest infestation.
- The tree is discolored or has malformed leaves.
- The tree is characterized by cracks, deadwood, or missing bark.
Depending on the severity, these signs usually indicate that the tree should be removed. For any tree removal projects, you’ll want to have a professional handle it.
Taking the Next Right Step: Professional Inspections & Tree Services
Sometimes, it can be unclear if a tree is a risk to your new home, especially if you have several large trees on your property. With the risk of hurricanes and strong storms, you won’t want to risk leaving a tree you’re unsure about.
So if you want a thorough inspection with full clarity, ask a specialist. Our certified arborists can diagnose the health of your trees and walk you through the best course of action.
A professional can help you determine whether a tree really needs to be removed. Sometimes, alternative tree treatments can be prescribed to protect the tree’s integrity and the safety of your home. For example, pruning, trimming, and structural reinforcement are common remedies.
Types of Tree Trimming
Pruning strengthens trees by providing branches with a more direct connection to the trunk. Tree trimming can serve several purposes.
- Removal of dead or hazardous limbs or branches.
- Raising the tree’s canopy by removing lower limbs.
- Pruning of branches from the tree’s interior to thin the tree.
- Pruning of branches from the exterior to shape the tree.
Pruning is often performed during the trees’ dormancy season, preparing for vibrant new blooms in the spring. Fall is the rarest time to prune because trees heal more slowly from fungal wounds during this season. However, there is no one best time to trim your trees, so feel free to schedule a service as soon as you move into your home.
Keeping Your Home Safe: Regular Homeowner Tree Maintenance
Once you’ve settled in your new home and have made the proper adjustments to your yard based on the inspection, you’ll want to begin a regular tree maintenance routine. Some things you can do yourself, such as replacing mulch around the base, fertilizing the ground, or even doing a basic inspection.
However, you’ll also want to regularly have a professional arborist inspect and maintain your trees each year. This will ensure that your trees remain strong, healthy, and beautiful for years to come.
Gaston’s Tree Service Provides Tree Maintenance to Protect Your Trees and Home in Gainesville, FL
Moving into a new space with a number of gorgeous trees is both exciting and daunting—trees can add value to your home if well-maintained, or detract from it if left unmanaged.
The best way to protect your new home is to maintain and care for your trees, and you can trust the experts at Gaston’s Tree Service to help you accomplish this goal. Request a free quote today to find out whether the trees in your yard show signs they may need removal, or to discuss setting up a tree-trimming service.