5 things experts wish you’d stop doing to your trees

5 things experts wish you’d stop doing to your trees: Trees around our homes make our environment beautiful and cool, but small mistakes during landscaping can cause serious damage. We often inadvertently commit actions that have long-term consequences for the tree’s health. Trees are living organisms, and their age, needs, and care change over time—especially when they’re near a house, a wall, or a children’s play area. Whether you planted the tree yourself or inherited one when you purchased it, every tree requires periodic attention and inspection. Experts believe that in homes with large or multiple trees, periodic inspections by a trained arborist are essential for both home safety and the health of the trees.

Mulching the Wrong Way

Mulching (dry leaves, bark, etc.) around trees is beneficial, but piling it close to the trunk is very harmful. Many people pile it high around the trunk like a “volcano,” keeping the bark constantly moist and increasing the risk of rot, pests, and disease. The root flare should remain open. The correct method is to spread a light layer (about 1 to 3 inches) of mulch a few inches away from the trunk. This reduces weeds, maintains soil moisture, and protects the trunk from lawn mowers.

Topping Trees

Many people cut off the entire upper branches of large trees to reduce their height, a practice known as topping. This is extremely harmful to the tree. This causes the tree to produce weak and unbalanced new branches, which can break easily and are susceptible to disease. A tree that has been toppled also looks unsightly. If there are concerns about the tree’s safety or shape, it is best to have a specialist perform proper pruning.

Unnecessary Support for a New Tree

Tieing a newly planted tree with rope or stakes is not always necessary. In fact, allowing the tree to sway slightly with the wind is what strengthens it. Temporary support can only be used in very windy areas, and even that should be removed within a few weeks. Prolonged tying can hinder the tree’s natural growth.

Using Herbicide on Grass

If the tree is in the middle of a lawn and you use chemical herbicides on the grass, it also affects the tree. These chemicals can curl the tree’s leaves, dry out or discolor branches, and even kill the tree over time. It’s best to create a mulch ring around the tree to prevent the chemicals from reaching the roots directly.

Planting Trees Too Closely

When planting a small tree, it’s easy to forget that it will grow into a large tree in a few years. If the tree is planted too close to a house, wall, power line, or other trees, the roots, branches, and shade can cause many problems in the future. Therefore, it’s crucial to know the full growth potential—height and spread—of a new tree before planting it. A tree planted at the right distance will remain beautiful and safe for years without any problems.

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