Trees not only improve your home and yard’s curb appeal but neatly maintained vegetation can increase property values. However, tending to grass and weeds near the base of your trees can be tricky, so most homeowners want to get rid of them entirely. With that in mind, the team at Santa Rita Landscaping is here with some tips on how to keep grass and weeds from growing around trees. 

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Why Remove Grass and Weeds Around Trees?

Grass requires a certain amount of sunlight to grow, so shade from trees can stunt its growth, causing it to look patchy and rough. Additionally, grass and weeds near the base of the tree can interfere with its roots and steal nutrients from the tree, stunting its growth and development. As such, completely removing grass or weed underneath your mature trees is usually the best idea. 

Removing Grass and Weeds From Around Trees

Fortunately, there are several simple methods how to keep grass and weeds from growing around trees, but you need to be wary of damaging the roots. 

Apply A Layer of Mulch 

Adding a layer of organic mulch is another way to keep weeds and grass from under your tree. First, place a layer of weed barrier fabric around the tree in a radius of about one to two feet, depending on the size of the tree. Next, lay down three to four layers of wet newspaper. The newspaper will block sunlight from the grass and weed seeds but allows the roots to access nutrients and water. After, lay down two to four inches of mulch over the newspaper. 

Dig It Up

The simplest and most straightforward way to keep grass and weeds away from trees is to dig it up. Using a shovel, you can dig up the first inch or two of dirt to remove grass and weeds from the root, preventing them from growing back. We recommend only using a shovel to dig up vegetation so you don’t accidentally damage the roots and kill the trees. If you expose roots, cover them with an inch of dirt to prevent damage. 

Use Herbicide

One final method is using herbicide. Herbicide can be tricky because too much can harm your tree, so make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When applying the herbicide, place a layer of cardboard around the base of the tree so the herbicide doesn’t get on the tree trunk. Try to spread herbicide on a non-windy day so it doesn’t spread around your yard.

Professional Landscaping in Phoenix & Tucson

The trick to how to keep grass and weeds from growing around trees is vigilance and routine lawn maintenance, such as using pre-emergent spray for weed control. With over 35 years of experience, Santa Rita Landscaping can handle all of your residential or commercial landscaping construction and maintenance needs. Contact us online or give us a call today at (602) 686-0292 to schedule a landscaping appointment!

Many homeowners don’t know where to start when it comes to tree care. According to Dodson Custom Homes, new homes are 17% more energy efficient owing to the most recent building codes enacted. However, caring for your trees properly can make an even bigger impact on your home’s energy efficiency. Here are spring tree care tips you may not have known you needed.

1. Inspect Trees Regularly

As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true when it comes to tree care. By regularly inspecting your trees, you can quickly identify potential problems and take steps to prevent them from turning into costly repairs. Look for signs of damage, such as cracks in the trunk or hanging low branches. Also, keep an eye out for any pests or diseases that might be affecting your trees.

If you catch these problems early, you can often resolve them with relatively simple treatments. In other words, regular tree inspections can save you time, money, and headaches down the road. So don’t wait until something goes wrong – put preventive tree care high on your spring to-do list.

2. Tree Trimming Regularly

Proper tree trimming is essential for maintaining the health and appearance of your trees. It’s also important for safety reasons, as overgrown branches can pose a serious hazard to your home and loved ones. Ideally, you should trim your trees at least once a year – but more frequently if they are fast-growing varieties.

When trimming your trees, always use clean, sharp tools. This will help prevent disease and reduce the risk of injury to your trees. Also, follow proper pruning techniques to avoid damaging your trees. If you’re not sure how to trim your trees properly, hire a professional tree care company to do the job for you.

3. Mulch Your Trees

Mulching is another crucial tree care practice that is often overlooked. Mulching can help to protect your trees from extreme weather conditions, as well as pests and diseases. It can also help improve your trees’ overall health by providing them with essential nutrients. When mulching, be sure to use the proper mulch and apply it at the correct depth.

4. Water Your Trees Regularly

Trees need water to survive, but they can’t always get the water they need from rain alone. If you want your trees to stay healthy, you need to water them regularly. The best time to water your trees is early in the morning before the heat of the day sets in. This will give the water time to reach the roots before evaporation can occur.

5. Fertilize Your Trees

Fertilizing is another important aspect of tree care. By fertilizing your trees, you can help to improve their growth and health. However, it’s essential to use the right type of fertilizer and apply it at the correct time. Otherwise, you could end up doing more harm than good.

Put these tree care tips into practice if you want your trees to stay healthy and thrive this spring. By following these simple tips, you can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your trees. To learn more about tree care or find a qualified tree care professional, be sure to call us today.

Spring is the perfect time to focus on tree care because this is the season when trees come back to life after a long winter. It’s also a time when tree diseases are most active. If you want your trees to stay healthy and look good, now is the time to take action. Here are reasons why tree care is so important in the spring.

1. Trees Need Nutrients

When trees are dormant, they’re not growing, and they don’t need as many nutrients. However, spring is the time when trees start to grow again, so they need extra nutrients to support this growth. This is why tree fertilization is so important in the spring. Fertilizing your tree will give it the necessary nutrients to grow strong and healthy.

2. Enhance Appearance

Well-cared-for trees tend to be more aesthetically pleasing. If you want your tree to look its best, focus on tree care in the spring. This is the time of year when trees are most active, and their growth is most visible. You may appreciate the beauty of your tree all year if you take care of it now.

3. Increased Property Value

Trees that have been properly cared for may boost the value of your home. If you’re thinking of selling your home, focus on tree service care in the spring to help increase its value. Trees that are healthy and well-maintained are more likely to add to the curb appeal and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

According to statistics, almost 31% of consumers who desire a bespoke property want a larger house – more than 500 square feet bigger than their current home. While tree service companies cannot always achieve this, they can help create an open and welcoming feel in a home, which is one of the most important things that buyers look for.

4. Improved Safety

Pruning and trimming trees in the spring can help improve safety on your property. This is because it’s easier to see tree limbs that need to be removed when the leaves are not yet on the tree. By taking care of tree care in the spring, you can help prevent accidents and injuries caused by falling tree limbs.

5. Reduced Diseases and Pest Activity

The tree’s sap flow is at its highest during the springtime, allowing tree care professionals to effectively and efficiently apply treatments to prevent or reduce diseases and pests. These same treatments applied during the summer months can be less effective because the tree’s sap flow has slowed, making it difficult for the tree to uptake the nutrients it needs.

Because tree care is so important in the spring, hiring a tree service to help you take care of your trees is a good idea. A tree service can provide all the tree care services you need to keep your trees healthy and looking their best. Contact us today to learn more about our tree care services.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think much about tree services. It’s only after a big storm or hurricane that knocks down trees and damages property that people realize they should have called tree services earlier. It’s understandable, but this needs to change. Here is what tree service providers wish you knew.

1. Tree Services are Needed at All Times of the Year

Trees don’t take a break. They keep on growing, shedding leaves, and generating new growth. That means that trees need to be pruned and trimmed regularly. If you neglect your trees, you’re going to have a much bigger problem. And chances are you’ll have to call tree services for help. In the long run, it’s always cheaper and more cost-effective to call in tree services for regular upkeep tasks than wait until you need emergency services.

2. Tree Services Can Be Cheap and Affordable

While tree services might seem like something that only the elite upper class can afford, this is not true. There are dozens of qualified tree services in every state. To find tree services, you’ll need to do some research and consult reviews or simply ask around where you live. You’ll be surprised how affordable these services can be.

3. Sometimes Tree Removal is the Only Viable Option

It’s important to realize that trees are not permanent parts of the landscape. It’s okay to have them removed if they’re making your life difficult or putting your property at risk.

4. Tree Companies Employ Qualified Professionals

While some homeowners might enjoy taking on tree trimming or tree pruning tasks themselves, in most cases, it’s best to call tree services. These qualified professionals know how to work with trees without causing unnecessary damage. Tree removal companies also understand the importance of safety and won’t put you or your family in harm’s way while they work.

5. Tree Care is Time and Labor Intensive

On average, homeowners spend between 5 and 8.5 days annually caring for their lawn. Add trees into the mix, and that number goes up drastically. Rather than trying to complete all of this work yourself, why not hire an affordable tree service to handle it for you?

Homeowners must realize that tree services are needed at all times, not only during emergencies. By utilizing their services regularly, you can save a lot of time and money in the long run. Call us today to learn more about our services.