Houston Tree Service: Fertilization, Trimming & Removal

What species of trees do best in this area?

Native species are adapted to survive in our area, so choosing one of these types of trees will mean less maintenance and a healthier tree that will live longer than a non-native species. There are over a hundred species to choose from, depending on your soil type, site conditions and aesthetic preferences.

If you have a large space, you might consider adding one of the following species to your yard: Live oak, Post oak, Shumard oak, Laurel oak, Bur oak, Pecan, Southern Magnolia, Bald cypress, Cedar elm, or Green ash.

Medium-sized trees which do well in our area include red maples, river birch, black cherry and eastern persimmon. Smaller trees you might select for your property include Mexican plum, redbud, Texas persimmon, Crape myrtle and the yaupon tree.

A few species to avoid are silver maples, Chinese tallow and Arizona ash trees.

How can I keep my trees healthy?

A few measures you can take to promote tree health include:

• Planting any new trees far away from your foundation. Tree growth can be unpredictable, so to prevent any damage to your roof and foundation, plant larger trees at least 20 feet from your home. Also, make sure to plant your trees far away from overhead power lines.
• Applying fertilizer judiciously. While trees do often benefit from added nutrients, a common mistake homeowners make is to add too much fertilizer at the wrong time of year. Excessive fertilizer can damage roots which can lead to instability over time.

Avoiding soil compaction. A tree’s root system serves as a highway, providing the plant with needed food and moisture. Pressure from walkways and driveways, heavy equipment such as cars and even digging and aerating can cause significant damage to a tree.

Should I mulch around my trees?

Yes! Mulch provides many benefits to trees. Among them are that it reduces competition for nutrients from weeds and grasses, helps tree roots retain moisture, protects the root system against damage from lawn equipment and can help prevent compacted soil.

To enable your trees to best benefit from mulch, keep the following tips in mind:

• Add mulch in a three to four foot circle around your tree.
• Organic mulch, including pine needles and wood chips, can also help improve your soil chemistry as they decompose.
• Mulching around newly-planted trees is especially important.
• Make sure that mulch does not directly come into contact with the tree’s trunk to avoid root rot.
• Avoid using limestone rocks near your tree’s base, as this weight puts too much pressure on the root structure.
• Although you want to make sure you are generous when you apply mulch, keep the level under three to four inches.​

Contact a certified arborist at ABC Home & Commercial to get started.