Trees are at the mercy of threats since they obviously can’t just get up and run away. However, having said that, trees are far from defenseless. Different species of trees have developed a variety of ways to protect, guard, and preserve their well-being. Some of these tactics are easily recognizable to us while others are just being understood. Aside from our skin, it is our immune systems that really help us fend off diseases. As far as researchers are aware of up until now, trees do not have an immune system to speak of. Therefore, having a good defense mechanism is specifically important to trees. These are just a few that tree companies in Monmouth County are aware of.
A Trees First Defense is Obvious
We are all familiar with the most obvious defense mechanism of trees. It is the thick, touch outer covering of the trunk. The bark of a tree is its first line of defense. Bark, just like our skin, helps prevent many infections and infestations simply by being a barrier between threats and the inner workings of the tree.
On one hand, there are smooth bark trees. The smoothness of their exterior surface greatly inhibits an insect’s ability to stick to and climb these trees. It also greatly deters invasive plants like ivy and other climbing vines. Examples of NJ smooth bark trees that tree companies in Monmouth County are familiar with are beech and birch. In order to maintain a smooth surface, these trees grow very slowly. This is relevant to tree care services because it takes these trees much longer to heal from an injury like a limb removal.
Rough bark trees, on the other hand, sometimes start as smooth barked as saplings and grow to have rough bark as a mature tree. In contrast to smooth bark trees, rough bark trees are capable of faster recovery after an injury. This is important to know for tree companies in Monmouth County because the ability of a tree to heal greatly impacts our pruning and limb removal process. Oak and Maple trees both have rough bark.
Thorns, Spines, and Prickles are Well-Known to Tree Companies in Monmouth County
When it comes to defenses, none are quite as recognizable and wide-spread throughout nature as thorns. Also referred to as spines, these pointy appendages are used to deter animals from feeding on the plant. Even though some pests can sneak past a wall of spikes, the amount of predator attacks they do deter easily counteracts the energy spent to grow and maintain them. Roses, cacti, and holly trees are all plants that have pointy protuberances as a defense mechanism.
It has also been shown that appendages like spines and thorns can protect the plant in other ways. For one, spines help defend the plant from extreme temperatures by providing shade. One well known example of this cacti. One spike may not have a big impact, but tens of thousands of spikes really can. Furthermore, this helps to slow water loss through evaporation.
Chemical Warfare is More Common Than You Think
It may seem like science fiction to say that trees defend themselves with chemical warfare. Most people are aware of at least one type of poisonous plant. Poison ivy comes to mind first most likely. But, while the urushiol oil is highly irritating to human skin, birds can eat the berries of poison ivy with no problem. This type of defense certainly has some holes in it.
Another, and perhaps better, example of plants using a chemical defense cell called an idioblast. When these cells are punctured, as will happen when a predator bites the plant, crystals of calcium oxalate are released. This can irritate and sometimes poison the attacker forcing them to leave the plant alone.
Communication Builds Defenses
Unbeknownst to us, trees are actually communicating with each other. It has been discovered that trees, even those of different species, send and receive messages through a fungal network called mycorrhizal networks. The very thin strands that exist at the end of a root system combine with structures of the fungus to form a symbiotic relationship. This means that both parties’ benefit from the partnership. Trees are able to send nutrients and messages to other trees and for the service, the fungus takes its payment in the form of sugar. This communication chain is especially helpful for saplings and sick trees.
If you’ve been looking for tree companies in Monmouth County, contact us today! We service all of Ocean and Monmouth counties.
The older the tree is, the less pruning will need to be done. Younger trees may need to be trimmed every 2-3 years whereas older, more mature trees only need limb removal every 3-5 years. So, let’s talk about pruning. Unless you are an avid gardener, the process of pruning may not be very clear. The practice of pruning is selectively removing specific parts of a plant to improve the plants health or remove injury or disease. This can look different for different types of flora. For example, pruning flowers can include deadheading. This is the process of removing spent flowers from the plant in order to encourage the growth of new blooms. For trees, pruning is the removal of limbs and branches for any number of reasons. Pruning is an important part of tree service in Forked River and should only be done by professionals.
Why Pruning is so Important to Tree Service in Forked River
Deadheading is something that is done in order to improve the health of the plant. Pruning limbs and branches off of trees is done to accomplish a number of things for trees and your property.
Removing the dead flowers from a plant ensures all of the energy goes to new growth. Any part of a plant that is faltering will receive additional nourishment in attempt to repair the wound. Lower branches on a tree are often damaged and these injuries can suck up a lot of energy. The operation of healing can take a lot of time and therefore, a lot of energy. Pruning these branches makes it easier for the tree to heal conserving energy and nutrients.
Moving into a new home means inheriting the landscape. This, many times, includes mature and overgrown trees. These trees are often planted too close to the house and require pruning in order to protect the home. Heavy branches overhanging a roof can sometimes lead to disaster. Especially in these precarious situations, it is of utmost importance to only have tree service in Forked River done by professionals.
Large branches can heavy. Really heavy. The only thing holding up those branches is the tree trunk and the root system. If the canopy of a tree gets too heavy, it can cause an uprooting event, killing the entire tree. In addition to that, falling trees cause major damage to houses, can destroy properties, and in the worst cases, lead to personal injury. Pruning the appropriate branches can keep trees growing tall and strong.
When Pruning Goes Wrong
As important as pruning is, it can be detrimental to a tree if done wrong. An overgrown canopy can cause an uprooting, but over pruning can end in the same result. If too many branches are removed off of one side of a tree, the weight on the opposite can become too much for the roots to hold.
Plus, taking off too many branches at one time can cause so much damage that the tree is unable to come back from. While removing select branches is helpful in conserving energy, cutting off too many at one time creates too many wounds for the tree to heal at one time.
A process called tree topping is a type of pruning that all legitimate tree companies do not perform or recommend. This harmful practice chops off branches from the top of a tree without discretion, leaving bare branches. Paying no mind to which branches are being cut greatly reduces the likelihood that the tree will for one, heal, and for two, survive. You should steer clear of anyone claiming to be a reputable tree company that recommends you have your trees topped.
Pruning Needs to Be Done Right to Be Effective
Pruning as part of your tree service in Forked River is only advantageous to the tree when done correctly. The goal of pruning is to choose select branches and limbs to remove. These are decided on based on positioning of the branches, health of the limbs and the tree, and reason for the removal. Neglecting to take this step and instead cut off branches haphazardly can ultimately kill a tree.
When you need professional tree care in Ocean County or Monmouth County, contact Ben Bivins Tree Experts. We are here to help with all your tree service in Forked River needs!