Spring came early to the Arizona desert. Trees are blooming early due to the unusual winter weather in the Valley of the Sun. The temperature has warmed up and the soil is optimal for root activity to increase so break out those shovels- it is time to plant new trees!

Remember to choose an area that will fit the growth of a tree’s roots and canopy width. Begin a watering cycle early with a healthy root zone that dries out entirely between watering. Remember it is common to have many trees die in Arizona due to over-watering. Landscapers in Phoenix suggest spacing out watering because it will encourage a root system to spread wide and deep so it won’t blow over during strong summer winds.

This is also the time to fertilize and trim those established Trees. Trimming is optimal during the spring season to encourage a nice shade canopy before summer.

Common Reasons to Trim a Tree:

• Maintain the shape and appearance of a healthy tree
• Trim lower branches to allow you to walk around and under a tree
• Remove dead or broken branches and limbs that may fall off to prevent a safety hazard
• Cut back branches along roadways that may obstruct driving visibility
• Alleviate heavy branches end weight
• Trim branches that may break during summer monsoon storm winds in July and August

You don’t want to prune a tree that is younger than three years old because the tips of the branches have auxins that relate to a roots growth. Pruning a tree too early in its development will weaken a trees root establishment and may cause it to blow over during the summer monsoon storms that often blow through Arizona.

Pruning a tree is an art and is best done by a skilled professional. There are many opinions on the proper way to trim branches. There is a science to not pruning too many of the interior or exterior foliage to maintain a strong structural base and encourage a nice wide canopy. In Arizona the canopy of a tree is vital to provide a property with needed shade during the hot summer months.

Seek Advice from a Professional

The team of Sexton Landscaping has experience and training in tree planting and trimming. Minor trimming can be done on young trees but on more established trees that you can’t safely trim from the ground, you should seek advice from a professional. Our team of Phoenix landscapers is available to answer questions and offer suggestions on the best care and tips to have a healthy tree for a property.