Tips For Maintaining Trees In Beaverton's Rainy Climate
Trees are a beautiful feature to any property. They add shade on hot days, cool air in the summer, and spectacular changes in the season. A well-maintained tree is a forever tree!
Beaverton is a growing city with many residential properties. Many of these properties have beautiful trees on them that require maintenance. There are a few things that every tree owner should know to keep their trees healthy and thriving.
Tree care specialists refer to the root system as the foundation of a tree. This includes the depth, width, and quality of the roots. A strong root system will help prevent tree loss during heavy winds or droughts.
This article will discuss some tips for maintaining your trees in Beaverton by discussing the root system and how to take care of it.
Prune weak branches
When you prune a tree, you remove parts of the tree to promote new growth and shape the tree. Pruning is an important part of maintaining a tree in good health.
Trees grow new branches from what are called buds. These buds are located at the base of the tree trunk, where the roots end and the leaves and branches begin.
Trees grow new roots every year, so you do not need to worry about damaging these structures during pruning. Just make sure you do not prune above where new roots grow - this would hurt the tree!
There are many different ways to prune a tree. Some trees require more severe pruning than others. It is best to look up specific tips for your particular tree species. General tips apply to most trees, however.
Always use rain protection
A major issue for tree maintenance in the Pacific Northwest is protection against rain and wet conditions.
Trees can suffer from ring swellings, cavities, and loss of strength when exposed to long periods of wet conditions. These issues are especially problematic with oak species, such as blue and white oaks.
Beaverton residents are advised to use rain protection for their trees during rainy seasons to prevent these issues. Using protective tarps or covering the trees with waterproof fabric is an easy way to do this.
By using some sort of protection, you are helping your trees stay healthy and strong! Most backyard trees do not receive enough attention, so this simple tip is a way to help your tree care regimen.
Remind yourself to check your tree’s rain protection every now and then, and replace it if it has gotten too worn or wet.
Check for structural damage
A major cause of tree mortality is structural damage to the tree. This can be caused by weather events such as high winds and heavy rains, but also by human interference.
When a tree needs to be trimmed, it is important to get rid of any loose or damaged parts. These can easily be pulled off or broken by gusts of wind or flood waters, so getting rid of them before will save your tree!
Water can also cause problems for trees. If the roots are exposed to too much water, this can lead to death. It is important to keep the roots covered with enough soil or mulch to prevent this.
Getting down on the ground and inspecting your trees every few months is a great way to check for structural damage.
Keep ground under tree free of debris
Keeping the ground under your tree free of dead leaves, debris, and other trees will help reduce the chances of root damage.
Beaverton tree experts suggest using a grass catcher to gather fallen leaves and debris, and placing a tree shelter or burring the trees roots to protect them.
These can be done at any time of the year, and are important to do at least once a year.
Tree shelters can be purchased at local hardware stores or online, and there are many different types. Some even have anti-desctibe material on the inside so the tree can still get adequate water.
Reminding residents to do this is one of the biggest tasks for arborists, but it is an important one.
Avoid planting trees too close to buildings
Trees provide shade, beauty, and a natural barrier against climate change effects like heat and wind.
However, planting too many trees can become a problem. As they grow, they may become too heavy for the soil to support them.
Tree roots can also grow near buildings or underground infrastructure like water and sewer pipes, causing leaks. This can be a costly problem to fix.
Beaverton recommends planting trees at least fifteen feet from buildings and underground infrastructure to avoid these problems. Trees can also be planted in large groups, which helps reduce the risk of root rot due to inadequate soil volume.
Heather Downey is a horticulture educator with Oregon State University Extension who has spent several years researching tree planting patterns on college campuses to reduce the risk of root rot caused by lack of soil volume.
Choose the right tree for your space
A key part of tree care is choosing the right tree for your space. Trees are a long-term investment, so it is important to pick the correct species and size for your yard.
Trees come in a variety of sizes, from tiny seedlings to incredibly large trees. Depending on the species, some trees may be more difficult to maintain than others.
Water-thirsty trees, like palm trees, require more maintenance due to needing more water. plants
In areas with less rain, drought-resistant trees, like oak trees, are a better choice. These trees have thicker roots that draw water from deeper in the ground, making them more sustainable in dry conditions.
Beaverton residents can visit local nurseries and garden centers to find and purchase these plants for their yard.
Assess your rainfall by season
Rainfall may seem like a trivial thing to mention, but the way you assess it will determine how well your trees grow. Trees need adequate rainfall every season to stay healthy and grow.
Trees in Beaverton thrive when rainfall occurs during the spring and summer months. This is when trees need the most water to nourish their developing leaves and roots.
In the fall, trees can handle less rainfall because this is the time of year when they are beginning to die down for the winter. Unfortunately, if there is no rain then the tree will die anyway.
Beaverton has high annual rainfall averages, which makes it critical to assess the season of the rain.
Watch your trees during storm activity
Even when no major storms are predicted, it is important to watch your trees for any changes. If you notice any new tree growths, altered leaf color or shape, or tree drooping, then take action!
Tree growths may be signs of underlying disease that will likely escalate with a storm. Altered leaf color or shape may indicate more nutritional deficiencies that will not respond to rainfall. Tree drooping may indicate underlying root damage or death that will lead to tree collapse.
During storm season, check your trees every few days and take notes. This will help you identify any ongoing issues and when to take action to save your trees.
Beaverton’s urban forests provide many environmental and social benefits. These include providing shade from the summer heat and protecting the ground from heavy rainfall. However, this can lead to flooding in your backyard due to over-taken roots.
