Tree and Shrub Care and Information

How to choose the right Tree or Shrub
Trees and shrubs significantly enhance curb appeal. Evergreens and drought-resistant plants are particularly beneficial for xeriscaping. Adding these elements can be straightforward, especially with a drip irrigation system to reduce maintenance. When planning your landscape design and considering the installation of trees and shrubs, it's important to assess the planting area. Does it receive full sun or full shade? Is it part of a lawn or a xeriscape? Is it deciduous, meaning it will shed leaves in the winter? Knowing this helps prepare for seasonal cleanup. Consider how often the plants will need trimming. Do you desire flowers, fruit, or colorful foliage? These considerations are crucial when adding trees or shrubs to your landscape. We feature different trees and shrubs at discounted prices each month. Keep checking back to find the one you're interested in. Contact us about our tree and shrub care program to ensure your investment remains healthy and robust.
Trees and shrubs significantly enhance curb appeal. Evergreens and drought-resistant plants are particularly beneficial for xeriscaping. Adding these elements can be straightforward, especially with a drip irrigation system to reduce maintenance. When planning your landscape design and considering the installation of trees and shrubs, it's important to assess the planting area. Does it receive full sun or full shade? Is it part of a lawn or a xeriscape? Is it deciduous, meaning it will shed leaves in the winter? Knowing this helps prepare for seasonal cleanup. Consider how often the plants will need trimming. Do you desire flowers, fruit, or colorful foliage? These considerations are crucial when adding trees or shrubs to your landscape. We feature different trees and shrubs at discounted prices each month. Keep checking back to find the one you're interested in. Contact us about our tree and shrub care program to ensure your investment remains healthy and robust.

How to Properly Care for your Trees
Trees and shrubs should be watered every 10 to 14 days, ideally moistening the soil to a depth of 3 feet around the root area. To minimize evaporation, maintain mulch around the plant's base. Fruit trees need a regular watering schedule to prevent drought stress, which can stunt growth and diminish flavor. Remember to thin the fruit to prevent branch breakage. Avoid fertilizing trees and shrubs during the hot summer months.
Water deeply and for extended periods, but not necessarily frequently. A thorough soaking with a soaker hose around the perimeter, and at the edge of a tree's canopy, every two weeks is optimal. Watering at the trunk can lead to root rot, contrary to common belief.
The root system reaches out beyond the canopy in search of moisture. To maintain the health of your plants and trees, it's crucial to water them to a depth of 18 to 24 inches. A soaker hose is the most effective tool for this task. It is designed with tiny holes throughout its length, allowing water to be released slowly. This slow release ensures the water has ample time to penetrate deep into the soil, reaching the roots. The advantages of using this watering method include robust roots and flourishing plants with vibrant leaves, stems, and flowers.
To ensure you remember to water your plants, mark it on your calendar. When you begin watering, set a timer to avoid overwatering. Generally, 1-2 hours of slow watering suffices, unless you're dealing with a very large tree. For trees, place the hose approximately two feet from the trunk and gradually move it towards the canopy's edge. It's important to note that the roots extend to the canopy's perimeter. Shrubs require watering around the drip line for a shorter duration. They are often equipped with timers connected to bubblers or drip systems, similar to soaker hoses. If your shrubs appear wilted, check your drip system, especially when temperatures rise.
Trees and shrubs should be watered every 10 to 14 days, ideally moistening the soil to a depth of 3 feet around the root area. To minimize evaporation, maintain mulch around the plant's base. Fruit trees need a regular watering schedule to prevent drought stress, which can stunt growth and diminish flavor. Remember to thin the fruit to prevent branch breakage. Avoid fertilizing trees and shrubs during the hot summer months.
Water deeply and for extended periods, but not necessarily frequently. A thorough soaking with a soaker hose around the perimeter, and at the edge of a tree's canopy, every two weeks is optimal. Watering at the trunk can lead to root rot, contrary to common belief.
The root system reaches out beyond the canopy in search of moisture. To maintain the health of your plants and trees, it's crucial to water them to a depth of 18 to 24 inches. A soaker hose is the most effective tool for this task. It is designed with tiny holes throughout its length, allowing water to be released slowly. This slow release ensures the water has ample time to penetrate deep into the soil, reaching the roots. The advantages of using this watering method include robust roots and flourishing plants with vibrant leaves, stems, and flowers.
To ensure you remember to water your plants, mark it on your calendar. When you begin watering, set a timer to avoid overwatering. Generally, 1-2 hours of slow watering suffices, unless you're dealing with a very large tree. For trees, place the hose approximately two feet from the trunk and gradually move it towards the canopy's edge. It's important to note that the roots extend to the canopy's perimeter. Shrubs require watering around the drip line for a shorter duration. They are often equipped with timers connected to bubblers or drip systems, similar to soaker hoses. If your shrubs appear wilted, check your drip system, especially when temperatures rise.

Important things to Consider when Trimming your Trees
There are 3 key factors to consider when getting ready to trim your trees.
Safety
In New Mexico's windy climate, it’s essential to remove any dead or broken branches to prevent accidents. You certainly wouldn’t want to find a tree limb precariously hanging over your car when you’re in a rush. Regularly inspecting your trees and shrubs for potential issues is key to avoiding surprises. For deciduous trees, it’s easier to spot problems before the leaves fall, making it simpler to identify dead or damaged branches. For evergreens, keep an eye out for signs of pests or branches that aren’t producing new growth, as these may need pruning or treatment to ensure the tree remains healthy and safe. Taking care of these issues proactively helps maintain both the safety and vitality of your trees.
Health
Many people think that cutting all major branches back to stubs, a practice known as tree topping, is beneficial for the tree. However, this approach is actually harmful. Topping can leave the tree vulnerable to disease and stress, as it weakens the tree’s structure and can lead to uneven regrowth. A more effective method is to prune crossing or rubbing branches and selectively thin out some of the central branches to improve airflow. This not only enhances the tree’s appearance but also reduces the risk of strong winds toppling the tree, as a dense canopy can act like a sail, catching the wind.
It’s also recommended to trim healthy branches during the tree’s dormant period to avoid sap drips, which can be a nuisance to clean up—believe me, cleaning sap off a vehicle is no easy task! Pruning at the right time ensures the tree stays healthy while minimizing the mess.
Aesthetics
Trimming is more than just routine maintenance; it’s also about enhancing the overall appearance. Think of it like getting a haircut to keep the ends neat and healthy. Properly trimming branches not only maintains the tree’s health but also improves its look. For low-growing or drooping branches, strategic cuts can guide the tree or shrub’s growth, shaping it for a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
On the other hand, poorly trimmed trees can suffer significant damage. Incorrect cuts can leave wounds that make the tree more vulnerable to disease, pests, and rot. Over-pruning or cutting in the wrong places can weaken the tree’s structure, potentially leading to long-term health issues or even premature death. It’s important to trim with care, following the proper techniques, to ensure the tree remains healthy and continues to thrive.
There are 3 key factors to consider when getting ready to trim your trees.
Safety
In New Mexico's windy climate, it’s essential to remove any dead or broken branches to prevent accidents. You certainly wouldn’t want to find a tree limb precariously hanging over your car when you’re in a rush. Regularly inspecting your trees and shrubs for potential issues is key to avoiding surprises. For deciduous trees, it’s easier to spot problems before the leaves fall, making it simpler to identify dead or damaged branches. For evergreens, keep an eye out for signs of pests or branches that aren’t producing new growth, as these may need pruning or treatment to ensure the tree remains healthy and safe. Taking care of these issues proactively helps maintain both the safety and vitality of your trees.
Health
Many people think that cutting all major branches back to stubs, a practice known as tree topping, is beneficial for the tree. However, this approach is actually harmful. Topping can leave the tree vulnerable to disease and stress, as it weakens the tree’s structure and can lead to uneven regrowth. A more effective method is to prune crossing or rubbing branches and selectively thin out some of the central branches to improve airflow. This not only enhances the tree’s appearance but also reduces the risk of strong winds toppling the tree, as a dense canopy can act like a sail, catching the wind.
It’s also recommended to trim healthy branches during the tree’s dormant period to avoid sap drips, which can be a nuisance to clean up—believe me, cleaning sap off a vehicle is no easy task! Pruning at the right time ensures the tree stays healthy while minimizing the mess.
Aesthetics
Trimming is more than just routine maintenance; it’s also about enhancing the overall appearance. Think of it like getting a haircut to keep the ends neat and healthy. Properly trimming branches not only maintains the tree’s health but also improves its look. For low-growing or drooping branches, strategic cuts can guide the tree or shrub’s growth, shaping it for a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
On the other hand, poorly trimmed trees can suffer significant damage. Incorrect cuts can leave wounds that make the tree more vulnerable to disease, pests, and rot. Over-pruning or cutting in the wrong places can weaken the tree’s structure, potentially leading to long-term health issues or even premature death. It’s important to trim with care, following the proper techniques, to ensure the tree remains healthy and continues to thrive.
Here are some examples of the various shapes that healthy, well-trimmed trees can take, in contrast to the tree mentioned earlier which has been poorly topped, resulting in a split trunk. Unfortunately, that tree could not be salvaged.