Evergreens are the plants that do not shed their leaves or needles in the entire year. They are known to make your property look beautiful. Few popular examples of evergreens are pine, cypress, juniper, hemlock, and arborvitae. These varieties can withstand the extremes of cold and dry seasons. They are known to grow naturally extremely cold temperatures and heavy winds. However, like any other species, both evergreen trees and shrubs also need proper care and maintenance for their healthy growth. Caring for these varieties is as simple as other trees. They require proper care both in winter and summer. A professional arborist Toronto can give you tips for their proper care and maintenance:
Tips for cultivating evergreen trees and shrubs:
You should go for planting an evergreen in an area in which chances of drying in winter is minimum. Varieties of evergreens like coniferous plants have needles with a waxy coating. This waxy coating reduces the chances of evaporation from the surface of the leaves and helps conserve water inside them. Still, strong sunlight during winters and the dry winds that blow can evaporate water from these needles. So, for the proper care and maintenance, give the full sun to evergreens in summers and shade in winters. This can be achieved easily if you plant these trees on the north side of the house. Soil should be well-drained and acidic for their optimal health.
Do proper mulching and watering
Evergreens are known to withstand winter or drought conditions. You just need to maintain the soil moisture. Watering the plant at regular intervals will ensure this. You can slow down the processes of soil drying by mulching with coarse wood or shredded bark. To add the nutrients, mix the mulch with organic compost. Regularly watering of the soil during dry summers and fall will promote healthy growth of the plant. If your ground doesn’t freeze in winters, then the plant requires watering in winters as well.
Light Fertilizing will help:
Evergreens require light fertilizing as compared to deciduous species. This will help in aiding normal growth, maintaining the color and size of the needles. Fertilizers should have more nitrogen than potassium or phosphorus. It is good to fertilize between early April and midsummer. After midsummer, fertilize slowly. Do not fertilize if there is dry and drought condition. Continue to water the plants regularly in this condition.
Evergreens require little pruning from time to time. Remove dead, diseased or damaged branches regularly if you find any. Always prune outside the branch collar to prevent the tree from dying. Pruning should not be done in late summer and early fall. Call a professional arborist Toronto time to time to check the condition of your evergreens.