Tree Preservation

Tree preservation can save a tree that might otherwise die. Here at JRP Services, we love to preserve trees, as we know that trees hugely benefit the look and value of your landscape. As certified arborists, we know what it takes to keep your trees alive and thriving. Count on us to assess the state of your trees; we’ll do our utmost to ensure that your trees live a long, healthy life. Reach out to us to schedule an appointment.

Also, feel free to continue reading to learn about common tree issues that we encounter, find answers to our most frequently asked questions surrounding tree preservation, and learn about general tips to grow thriving trees.

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Common Tree Issues That We Encounter

Branches that no longer grow foliage

Your branches should produce leaves in the growing season, and if you have flowering trees (e.g. fruit trees), they should flower once per year as well. If you’ve noticed that your trees are no longer growing leaves or producing the flowers or fruit that they should, then your tree’s health may be poor. A lack of foliage can be due to a number of reasons. You may have poor soil quality, your tree may be over- or under-watered, or your tree may have been damaged. You may also have a tree that is simply too old to grow new foliage, which may mean that it is beyond saving. If you notice poor foliage or flower growth, have us over to take a look at your tree and its potential to be saved.

Fungus, mold, or pests

Trees can harbor fungus, mold, or pests, which can all damage a tree to the point that it may die. If you notice that your tree is discolored, specked with mushrooms, or it’s currently infested with pests, it’s best to act to get rid of the problem before it affects the growth of your tree. Termites may also be an issue here in Texas, so be weary of signs of termites that can devour your tree from the inside out. Termites prefer dead or dying branches over living branches, so be sure to lop off branches that are no longer healthy, since they can attract a termite swarm that can spread to other trees as well as your home. You may notice mud tunnels, termite droppings (which look like small wood pellets), and dropped termite wings (from a termite swarm).

Wilting leaves

Your tree’s leaves may wilt if they are over- or under-watered, or if your tree is getting too much sunlight. You can usually tell what the problem is by feeling the leaves. If your leaves are wet, yet wilted, your soil may be over-watered. If your leaves are dry, brittle, or black, then you may need to water your tree more, or it may be overexposed to sunlight and heat (you can spray your tree down during the heat of the day to give it a quick cool down.

Missing bark

Your tree’s bark is a protective cover from the elements as well as pests. If your tree is losing its bark, then it’s a sign of damage. Trees can’t survive long without a layer of bark, so it’s best to assess your tree’s health as soon as you notice it is shedding bark.

Tree Preservation FAQ

How can I tell if my tree is healthy?

A healthy tree will show several signs that it is growing. First of all, you should be able to notice vertical growth from the tree from year to year. In a given year, a tree will grow several inches if it is healthy. In addition, your tree should have healthy leaves and flowers (if it is a flower-producing tree). Be wary that individual branches on your tree may die, which means that they won’t produce foliage and they need to be cut. You may also notice that your branches are growing new growth. Your tree will sprout new, small branches and each individual branch will grow outward. A healthy new branch will also be moist and green on the inside, if you’d like to cut into a small branch to check its health.

Is my tree too old to preserve?

Trees have varying life expectancies, depending on the specie of the tree. That said, most trees won’t live for more than a hundred years. Certain species of trees may only live for about 50 years (on the shorter end of the spectrum), while other tree species will survive for a century or more. If you’re curious about a specific specie of tree on your property, you can consult one of our arborists to learn more.

Is my tree beyond saving?

It depends. For certain trees, it may not be worth it to try to preserve the tree. For instance, you may have an old tree that is near the end of its life. Or, you may have a tree that is already overwhelmed by fungus and disease. In these instances, it’ll likely be best to cut the tree down. However, if you have a tree that is relatively healthy, it may be worth saving. It’s best to have a tree with a strong, healthy trunk, and several healthy main branches. These trees are quite resilient and may bounce back from disease or damage. In some cases, we may even be able to trim off a large portion of the tree, while preserving the remaining branches and trunk. A tree’s odds of survival are also dependent on the species of the tree. Have us over to take a look at your specific tree. We’ll assess the health of your tree and advise you as to whether or not the tree can be saved.

General Tips to Grow Thriving Trees

Call on us! We’ll take a look at your tree and ensure that it has a long healthy life.

Properly Regulate Your Watering

Watering your tree with an appropriate amount of water is crucial. Trees rely on water for proper growth, and overwatering or underwatering can seriously hinder a tree’s healthfulness. If you’re uncertain about how much water your tree needs, you can consult with one of our arborists to learn about the watering needs for your particular species. In addition, you can always check the soil around your tree, as well as the foliage that the tree grows. If your soil is dry to the touch a few inches below the surface, then your tree may need more water. If your soil is sopping wet underfoot, well, you have too much water in the soil (which can actually lead to rot and weaken the roots of your tree).

Also, feel free to take a look at the leaves of your tree. If you have leaves that are dry and black, then your tree may be under-watered and it may be too hot during the day. If your leaves are wilted, yet moist, then you may have too much water in the soil.

Aerate

Aerating the ground around your tree allows for better air and water penetration to its roots. Lots of root structures suffer from blockages over time, and as clay and silt settle around your root structure, your tree may begin to ‘suffocate.’ We reopen essential access to water, air, and nutrients. Deep aerations are a great idea for any tree, and they should be performed every year or so to ensure that your soil remains rich with the nutrients and air necessary to support the root system.

Fertilize Those Roots

Dying roots can kill a tree. And thriving roots support a happy tree. We use deep root fertilization to give your roots the nutrients for which they hunger. Over time, your tree will leach all of the nutrients it needs to thrive from the soil surrounding the tree. Eventually, this soil can become poor in quality, due to a lack of replenished nutrients. Fertilizer ensures that your soil remains nutrient-rich, so that your tree can continue to thrive.

Prune Wasteful Limbs

Dead and dying limbs should be cut from a tree. These limbs, although they aren’t flourishing, may be soaking up water and nutrients that could be used elsewhere on your tree. Moreover, dead limbs are prone to mold and bacteria that can spread throughout your tree’s structure. Stop disease spread at its source.

Monitoring

We can step back to monitor your tree’s health after we’ve treated it. Monitoring your tree will allow us to discern your tree’s problem and the appropriate solution.

What We Can Do for You

If you’re looking to grow trees that are the talk of the town, we’re the crew to call for tree preservation and care. We work throughout Houston and the surrounding area, providing tree care services for our neighbors. As we mentioned, we’re certified arborists and members of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) — which means that we know how to care for trees. Count on us to take a look at the trees around your property, and we’ll provide you with a plan to ensure that they grow strong and healthy. Give us a call to get started!

Testimonials

"Great Job"

We had our 20 ft. x 20 ft. garage demo’d. The contractor hauled away all the debris and returned the site to grade. They did well, overall. 0/5 (0 Reviews)

Mitchell H.

"You WON’T Be Disappointed"

JRP was fantastic! In June 2014, I had a huge, 150 year old water oak tree in my front yard start dropping big limbs. Since I did not want anyone to get hurt, it was time for this old bear of a tree to be removed. The trunk on this thing was 5 feet in…

Stewart H.

"Well Done"

Removed pool and all pool related items. It was 21 by 40 ft and made out of gunite. They removed the debris, filled out the hole and returned it to grade. They did good, overall. 0/5 (0 Reviews)

Earl H