Protect Your Trees and Landscaping From Arizona's Monsoons Storms...

The Monsoon Season is in full swing in Arizona. No doubt, you have seen the damaged tress around tow already. Don't give up on protecting your landscape from these high winds!

Here are a few basic tree care tips for avoiding storm damage:

- Plant new trees with their mature size in mind. Do not plant in shallow soils, too close to buildings or wires, or in steep banks. Some trees are more brittle and susceptible to breaking. Do your research before planting to save yourself the heartache of losing a tree after years of care.

- Water, mulch, and fertilize the trees regularly and properly. Prevent the soil from becoming compacted.

- Prune annually (or every two to three years, depending on the variety) even while the trees are still young. Having your trees trimmed by a professional who understands healthy tree structure is your best bet for avoiding problems.

- Avoid digging around roots. If some digging is absolutely necessary, take measures to minimize cutting or any other impairment of the roots.

- Do not top trees! This common but incorrect practice guarantees eventual failure of branches.

A Certified Arborist - a professional who has been certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) can provide your trees with the best possible chance at long-term health and survival. They can quickly recognize potential defects in a tree before they become major threats, or that you may not have noticed yourself. If left to unattended, these defects can lead to branch failure, splitting, or loss of the entire tree. Keep in mind, though, that it is not only your arborist's responsibility to care for your trees. There is a lot you can do to help too.