Many rural neighborhoods in Tennessee are located in spaces that contain forests, thickets, or tree groves. Part of your property may naturally contain a significant tree population. You may be unsure how to maintain a grove in a way that ensures tree health and growth. Take a look at what every property owner should know about healthy tree groves.
Healthy Groves Hold a Host of Benefits
Healthy trees provide a host of benefits. Trees boost property values while they lend shade and beauty to your home. Trees also produce oxygen and absorb pollutants to naturally improve air quality. And trees help control erosion and improve water quality.
A large number of trees, such as those in a grove or copse, provide your home with privacy and protection from the elements. Your grove may be a life-sustaining habitat for a variety of wildlife as well. You may also reap the benefits of certain tree varieties in the form of timber or food if your grove contains oak, cherry, or nut trees. If your grove contains pine trees, you could even harvest your Christmas tree from your own lot.
Healthy Groves Need Maintenance
Measured care is essential in order to more fully enjoy the benefits a grove of trees offers. Healthy trees endure for years because they are better able to resist disease and insects. Here are some strategies that help maintain a healthy, functional grove.
Remove Dead Growth and Prune
Sometimes a tree reaches its life limit and dies. Wind, the weight of ice, and lightning can damage a tree enough to kill a limb or two. While dead trees eventually decompose and provide nutrients for surrounding plants, dead growth of this type should be removed instead. A damaged or dead tree can be harmful for visitors if a limb falls. Also, a very large fallen limb can damage nearby trees in the grove.
You can regularly monitor your timber for trees that require the removal of diseased and damaged limbs. Additionally, you may want to check for trees that need pruning. Selectively cutting certain branches helps train new tree growth to produce more fruit, maintains shape for lumber harvest, and cuts back on overly thick canopies that prevent sunlight from reaching the ground.
Remove Invasive Species
Several invasive tree species exist in Tennessee that destroy the natural tree community. You can help nurture a healthy grove when you take steps to prevent the growth of or completely remove trees like mimosa, tree-of-heaven, Russian olive, and white poplar. Learn to recognize which trees are invasive by their leaf type, flowers, and growing habits. Then, dig up or destroy smaller trees if possible.
Large specimens probably require the help of a professional to safely and thoroughly remove an entire tree, including roots. Many invasive species are hardy and prompt the growth of sucker shoots if a portion of root is left in the ground.
Plant Native Species
As you evaluate a grove for dead limbs or invasive trees that need removal, consider ways to augment the number of healthy trees that grow there. Remember, trees do not last forever and must be replaced. You can plant new trees in empty spaces right now to enjoy for many years in the future.
One way to ensure a healthy grove is to plant species that are native rather than non-native. Native trees:
- Create a more ideal natural habitat for area wildlife
- Are better suited to the climate and therefore need little maintenance
- Are naturally able to resist native insects and disease
- Blend more naturally into their surroundings
Choose both large and small tree varieties to provide more diversity to your grove. Native species that thrive in Tennessee include maples, oaks, sassafras, black walnut, redbud, and ironwood.
If you need further help with the management of your tree grove, contact
Kaily's Tree Service. We can help minimize the amount of time you spend pruning and removing deadwood and allow you more time to enjoy your beautiful trees.
