As a landscaper and gardening enthusiast I’m often asked “how can I help my tree grow taller and stronger?”. Having healthy thriving trees in your yard not only looks great but provides numerous benefits like cleaner air, wildlife habitat, and shade. The good news is there are several easy, effective ways you can help your trees reach their maximum growth potential. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share key strategies based on the latest arboricultural research and my own experience for successfully growing trees.
Choose the Right Species
The first step is selecting the right tree species for your location. Consider factors like soil type, sunlight availability, climate, and mature size. Fast-growing popular picks like red maple, silver maple, willow, poplar, gingko, and alder tend to thrive in various conditions and maximize growth rate. Check with local nurseries on recommendations for species suited to your specific environment. Matching the tree to your site sets it up for success.
Prepare the Soil
One of the most vital factors influencing tree growth is soil quality. Trees absorb essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium through their roots. Conducting a soil test can reveal pH levels and nutrient content to identify any amendments needed.
Ideally, soil for trees should be slightly acidic with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Adding organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure enriches the soil with nutrients for growth. Incorporating a balanced slow-release fertilizer when planting further augments nutrient availability.
Also, good drainage is very important, so add compost or sand to clay soils to make them better. Eliminating compacted soil allows roots to spread unimpeded. When planting, dig at least 3 feet away from the trunk to give the roots plenty of room to grow.
Water New Trees Regularly
Adequate water, especially for newly planted trees, is imperative to growth. Young trees should be watered weekly their first summer to develop a healthy root system Deep water within the root zone, not just surface watering. Continue supplemental water during dry periods
Installing drip irrigation or using a deep root watering system provides sub-surface moisture directly to the roots. Monitor soil moisture levels and water when the top few inches become dry. Saturated soil deprives roots of oxygen. Proper watering optimizes growth.
Provide Full Sunlight
Maximizing sunlight exposure fuels growth through photosynthesis. Select a planting spot providing full sun for at least 6 hours daily, factoring in how surrounding trees/buildings may eventually shade the area. Insufficient sunlight slows growth.
If the only suitable site has partial shade, choose an appropriate species like beech, dogwood or holly over sun-lovers like oak and maple. Give trees ample space to reach their mature height and spread. Eliminate competing vegetation around the tree.
Use Organic Root Stimulator
When you plant, using a natural root stimulator is an easy way to help the plant get established and grow faster. Root stimulators have seaweed, humic acids, microbes, and natural hormones in them that feed the roots, encourage branching, and make root hairs so the plants can take in more nutrients. This equates to vigorous top growth.
It’s also a good idea to mix a little biochar into the backfill soil before planting. Biochar helps plants hold on to water, makes nutrients available, and boosts the activity of good microbes for long-term release. It’s a simple way to create a fertile root zone.
Add Mulch Around the Tree
Maintaining 2-4 inches of organic mulch around the base of the tree provides multiple growth benefits. It conserves moisture, insulates roots, suppresses weeds/grass that compete for water and nutrients, and as it decomposes releases additional nutrients.
Mulch made from natural materials is very good. Some examples are shredded bark, leaves, compost, and wood chips. Keep it replenished annually. Do not pile mulch up against the trunk, as this can cause problems with watering. Adequate mulch circles help trees flourish.
Protect Trunk from Damage
A young tree’s thin bark is easily injured by nicks, cuts and scrapes which open it up to insect/disease problems. Use extreme care when weed whacking or mowing around trees. Even minor damage can hinder growth.
Wrapping the trunk in plastic guards or rubber tubing prevents damage from lawn equipment. Check ties/guards annually to ensure they aren’t girdling the bark as the trunk expands. Keep trees healthy and vigorous through prevention.
Prune Properly and Timely
Appropriate pruning is vital for proper tree structure and healthy growth. Remove dead/damaged branches promptly, along with rubbing/crossing branches which can wound the trunk. Don’t remove more than 25% of living branches at one time. Pruning seals should be applied to cuts over 1 inch.
The best time to prune most species is during dormancy in late winter. Exception is spring-blooming trees which should be pruned immediately after flowering. Proper pruning eliminates problems and ensures trees grow correctly.
Control Pests
Leaf chewing insects, boring pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies sap tree vigor, resulting in reduced growth. Keep trees free of problems through preventive care like horticultural oils/insecticidal soaps, proper sanitation methods and adding nutrients if deficient.
Spotting issues early allows for effective treatment before major damage occurs. Inspect trees routinely, especially after events like storms, unusual weather or drought stress. A vigilant pest management program keeps trees robust and resilient.
Provide Wind Protection
Wind exposure causes newly planted trees stress, desiccates foliage and may even topple them in storms if roots are not sufficiently established. Install temporary windscreens, wrap trunks and stake for support the first year or two after planting on windy sites.
A more permanent windbreak like a stone wall, solid fencing or tight evergreen hedge can reduce wind tunnel effects across open areas. Eliminating wind whipped conditions enables unimpeded growth.
Consult an Arborist
There’s no substitute for an arborist’s expert knowledge on properly planting and caring for trees. Licensed arborists have the specialized skills to assess trees, diagnose issues, recommend treatment options, and optimize growing conditions through techniques like fertilization, cabling/bracing and air spading.
Seeking advice from a professional arborist ensures you avoid mistakes and get trees off to a strong start. Ongoing arborist consultation maintains tree vigor and longevity. Their input gives trees the best advantage.
Be Patient
Remember that trees are slow growing, long living organisms. Even fast growing species may only produce a few feet of new growth annually when young. Don’t expect a newly planted sapling to reach its mature size overnight.
With ongoing proper care and favorable conditions, trees will flourish over time. Avoid excessive pruning or over-manipulating the tree. Allow trees time to establish naturally and reach their genetic potential. Patience coupled with best practices will be rewarded.
The Top 4 Ways to Make Your Trees Grow Faster
- Lawn care should be done carefully. One benefit of hiring a professional landscaping service like Stay Green is that we know how to do lawn care that is safe for your trees and your whole property. What you might be doing wrong, though, is hurting your trees if you take care of your lawn yourself or hire a stranger to do it. The bark on trees is very sensitive, so when you hit one, you hurt it actually. If you cut your tree with a lawnmower, weed whacker, or just by hand, even small cuts and scrapes can hurt its health in the long run. If you want your trees to grow taller faster, be careful when you mow the lawn or call Stay Green for professional tree care. Our landscaping experts know how to keep your trees growing at a healthy rate because they have the right tools and years of experience.
- Make sure your trees have room to grow. Trees need room to shine. When you plant a tree, you should dig about three feet away from the trunk if you want it to really grow and do well. So, the trees around it can’t take the nutrients the roots need to grow. Also, you should mulch around your tree at first to make a kind of fence around it to protect it. We know that having a lot of trees may look nice and provide shade, but the three-foot rule is very important if you want your trees to grow tall and last a long time.
- When you water your tree, make sure you give it enough. Watering your tree enough is important for its growth. Extra water should be added at least once or twice a week, especially when it doesn’t rain much. Also, watch out that you don’t give your tree too much water. If you give your tree too much water, it might not be able to breathe properly. Watch out for leaves that are easily broken, tree growth that looks pale or yellow, or a tree base that stays wet all the time.
- Watch the Roots: Making sure the tree has healthy roots is the most important thing you can do to keep it healthy. Good soil should surround the roots of your trees, and at first, mulch should be used to help them grow. You can also help your plants grow by using fertilizer that has a root stimulator in it. Roots that aren’t pulling in water may be because the soil around the tree is hard or not very good. Mix in the compost and leaves that have been mulched. If you need to, add new soil to help the roots get water.
5 Reasons Your Fruit Trees AREN’T GROWING [And How To FIX It]
FAQ
How do you stimulate tree growth?
Effective Tips on How To Grow A Tree Fast!Be Careful When Selecting The Species of The Tree. Stick to Specific Planting Techniques. Water on Time. Use a Good Fertilizer. Regularly Prune and Trim Your Trees. Inspect for Pests and Diseases. Provide The Tree With Enough Sunlight.
What can I give my tree to help it grow?
To help your tree grow, make sure it gets the things it needs, like enough water, sunlight, and fertilizer.
How do you revive a struggling tree?
Often, one or more of the following steps will help turn things around. Ensure your tree gets the right amount of water. Add organic mulch (correctly!) around the tree. Professionally prune to remove specific branches. Fertilize and add soil amendments. Treat the tree for any insect infestation or diseases.
How to encourage new growth on a tree?
Notching is a simple, old school trick that stimulates a branch to grow. Use it to fill in any empty spaces that would be best filled with a branch when training young (2–4 year old) deciduous fruit trees.