The best way to protect trees in your care is regular maintenance, especially mulching. Mulching helps aerate soils and adds nutrients. During times of drought, younger trees may need additional watering. Tree roots need non-compacted soils and room to spread, and certain types of ground cover are preferable underneath trees. For advice on the proper care of your trees contact your county Extension agent, a certified arborist (tree
professional), or Trees Atlanta.

Here are a few tips to keep your trees healthy:

1. Mulching is vital for tree health. Each year add 3-4 inches of hardwood mulch under the entire canopy of a tree (if possible), especially in areas where people frequently walk or park. Make sure to leave several inches of space away from the trunk to prevent trunk rot.
2. Prune trees appropriately. Properly pruned trees are less likely to suffer problems during storms. Large limbs should always be pruned by a licensed and insured arborist. (Remember some non-hazardous dead wood in trees is beneficial to wildlife.)
3. Make plans to protect trees and their roots, including the entire area under the dripline, (also known as critical root zone) if you plan to do major landscaping or build additions on your property. "Tunneling" and "boring" are alternatives to destructive trenching when installing utilities. For any significant digging activity be sure to consult an arborist.
4. Always try to avoid covering over tree roots with asphalt, concrete or even extra soil within the critical root zone.
5. Don't panic about having trees around your house after a hurricane or freak ice storm. The trees left standing, if they are not severely damaged, are the sturdy, healthy survivors. It is best to keep trees trimmed appropriately so they will be less susceptible to storm damage. If you do have trees or tree limbs that must be removed due to storm damage, choose your tree service carefully. Some uninsured and unscrupulous tree removers and loggers circulate neighborhoods looking to capitalize on post-storm fears, and sometimes use the confusion to clear-cut and harvest healthy trees.
6. When planting new trees make sure there is plenty of room for them to achieve their mature size. A good rule of thumb is at least eight feet from streets or sidewalks and not directly under power lines for large overstory species.

When in doubt about questions of tree care or health, contact a certified arborist or your county Extension Agent or Trees Atlanta. To find an arborist on-line go to www.natlarb.com/locate.htm for companies that are members of National Arborist Association (located by zip code). For individual certified arborists go to www2.champaign.isa-arbor.com/arborists/arborist.html.

Remember that good care and preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure the health and longevity of your beautiful trees.

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