Yes, for most routine care: watering, mulching, feeding, seasonal inspections, light pruning, and many pest treatments are within a homeowner's reach. A certified arborist is still needed for structural problems, decay, high pruning, and any tree that may be unsafe.

Why can most routine tree care be done without a professional?

Because the core tasks happen at ground level and follow the seasons. Deep watering, mulch kept 2 to 3 inches deep and off the trunk, and checks for early stress signs need patience, not special equipment.

What does a homeowner's tree care year include?

A few tasks per season:

• Spring: check for winter damage, prune broken or crossing branches before leaf out, and start feeding once soil warms
• Summer: water deeply but infrequently, watch for scorch and pests, and skip heavy pruning in extreme heat
• Fall: water until the ground freezes, remove dead branches, and refresh mulch
• Winter: check for storm damage, keep salt off root zones, and plan late winter structural pruning

Which pest treatments can a homeowner apply?

Soil applied systemic treatments, taken up by the roots, are among the simplest because nothing is sprayed into the canopy. One ounce of concentrate per inch of trunk circumference, measured at chest height, is the dose for Once A Year Insecticidal Drench with Merit, mixed and poured at the base for 12 months of protection against borers, scale, adelgids, and other listed pests.

When should a certified arborist be called?

When a tree shows large dead limbs, leaning, advanced disease or decay, or any safety risk. Pruning high in a large tree's crown, which can call for climbing and chain saws, is also best left to experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of a tree can a homeowner prune at one time?

No more than 25 percent of the crown. Less is often better, and dead branches can be removed at any time of year.

Are mushrooms at the base of a tree a reason to call an arborist?

Possibly. Mushrooms or fungal growth at the trunk base are listed as a warning sign, and advanced decay is one of the reasons to call a certified arborist.

Is removing a tree a do it yourself job?

Usually not. Tree removal is not as easy or as safe as many people expect, so large trees are best left to professionals.

Which fertilizer fits a do it yourself spring feeding?

A slow release one chosen by tree type. TreeHelp Premium Fertilizer, picked from a list of more than 100 species plus a General option, keeps releasing nitrogen through the growing season from a single spring application.

What does a certified arborist do on a visit?

Evaluates the tree's condition. A certified arborist can judge whether a tree is safe and what work, if any, it needs.