Besides its fabulous weather and famous beaches, Tampa has a lot to offer. Did you know that it is the world’s biggest tree city? In 2018, it ranked as the number one city globally to have the most trees. A whopping 36% of foliage covers the city’s landscape.
What are the benefits of having trees around?
Obviously, these towering greenery provide shade and beauty in the surroundings. But these are just the tip of the iceberg. Trees offer a lot more for people, the community, the economy, and the environment. Imagine how amazing it is to spend time outdoors when you are in Tampa! Check out the list that follows:
For the people:
- The trees make time spent outdoors pleasant. Spending time outdoors in green spaces can be a colossal stress-relieving experience.
- Research has proven that sick patients with a view of saplings from their hospital room recover from surgery more quickly than those without a lush window view.
- In schools, children who are given time for evergreen experiences could remember their lessons from school better.
For the community:
- Trees are an asset to any community. When you have a tree within your property, you get to share it with your neighbors when they use their shade or breathe the fresh air.
- Along the road, carefully planned and lined-up trees can bring calm to the motorists and pedestrians, not to mention that it lessens the air pollution from the cars that pass by.
- Groves beautify the architecture and landscape of parks, sidewalks, buildings, and the entire neighborhood. The serenity you get from the branches swaying and leaves rustling is an added bonus.
- A thicket can be a soothing backdrop in any space. It can also hide unsightly structures and even screen too much noise.
For the economy:
- Strategically placed trees can protect your home from the hot or cold. You can reduce your cooling or heating costs in the winter or summer months.
- If you are selling your home, a well-landscaped yard with mature, healthy saplings can increase its value up to 10% compared to similar houses without a lush yard. This is especially true in Tampa, where real estate and housing costs have seen a steady increase.
- Your tall bush’s shade and strong branches can serve as a treehouse, swing, and canopy for your patio or yard space. You save some pennies by not needing to purchase a pole or an umbrella.
For the environment:
- The vegetation gives off oxygen that we need for breathing. They also improve the quality of air that we take in. Filtering dust and pollutants make the air fresher for us to enjoy.
- The trees reduce the urban heat island effect. Towering over open spaces and among tall buildings reduces the heat coming from the sun. his results in evaporative cooling, making the air less hot, especially in parks, quadrangles, and parking spaces.
- The foliage decreases pollutants in the waterways and occurrences of erosion, thereby reducing the effects of floods.
- Saplings provide a habitat for birds, squirrels, and other animals. They are an answer to these creatures’ need for food and shelter.
Maintaining the Trees
To continually enjoy having trees, taking care of them should be a community’s priority. Make sure to follow the six basic guidelines for consideration:
- Proper planting: When choosing which seedling to plant, consider your area. Ensure you plant the right tree in the correct location. Provide enough space for it to grow. Don’t dig too deep. Avoid spots that are too close to power and utility lines.
- Water: If it hasn’t rained recently, you need to water it. New trees need four to ten gallons, while older ones need one inch of water per week.
- Mulch: Spread two to four inches of mulch but don’t cover the trunk base. The giant bush needs this to insulate its roots.
- Fertilize: Regularly put slow-release fertilizer to ensure the soil has enough nutrients.
- Prune: Maintain your tree’s structure by proper trimming. Remove deadwood and damaged twigs.
- Checkup: Spot signs of diseases or pests to manage early and prevent further complications.
But Trees Don’t Live Forever
Like all living things, trees will eventually die. Their life span differs in that some live longer than another. Many possible causes of a tree’s death include exposure to the stress of wind, disease, pests, pollution, soil erosion, soil compaction, weather, and people.
Watch out for the common signs that a tree is dying:
- Poor structure: Having an odd side or heavy leaning to one side means an unnatural growth pattern. The tree may continue to fall if this is not addressed.
- Decay: This usually occurs inside the tree. That is why it is hard to spot. Signs that indicate decay include mushroom-like spores, dead branches, and breakable wood.
- Weak branches: When branches have a soft attachment to the tree, they may fall at any time.
- Cracks and cankers: Deep cracks and dead barks should immediately be pruned off from the tree. Otherwise, they may attack the tree from the inside and cause the tree stress, which may cause its demise.
- Deadwood: Branches that are dry and easy to break are deadwood. This is a sign that the tree is sick.
What to Do With Dead Trees
Should disease prevention and treatment fail, perhaps, it’s time to bid the tree goodbye. Once you do, have it removed at once. Leaving it lying around has many risks and disadvantages, which include:
- An eyesore
- Injury to people and children living in the vicinity
- Roadblock
- Risk to fire
- Damage to property
- Destruction of power and utility lines
- Attraction of pests
- Spread of disease to other plants
- Decrease in property value
You definitely don’t want these. Nitro Home Maintenance can provide you with tree trimming and removal services in Tampa and other Florida cities at reasonable prices. For inquiries, you may call us at 727-317-7404 or send us a message at nick@nitromaintenance.com.