Many Nevada homeowners know all too well what can happen if a tree in their yard isn’t cared for properly. But there are some myths surrounding how to properly care for our tall nature friends. It’s especially important to have a healthy tree during our rough seasons. Spring and summer months in Nevada are infamously a time when unhealthy trees are at risk of damage or falling.
March through June are typically our windiest months, bringing wind gusts of at least 58 mph, lasvegasnevada.gov reports. And monsoon season comes right after, from June to October. So making sure your trees are healthy and stable before these seasons is vital.
Nevada Homeowners Have A Lot Of Options For Trees
When some people think of Southern Nevada topography, they see the desert. Cacti, Joshua and Yucca trees. And we do have our share of those around the Mojave.
A Joshua tree is seen near the 18th hole at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. Some Nevada Homeowners might opt for bringing this type of tree into their landscape but others go for fuller trees that provide shade.
But we also have a lot more variety of trees than just the typical desert dwellers. With Mount Charleston nearby, we have a lot of pine trees as well. I’ve lived in my current house in Las Vegas for over 10 years. And even though I could move closer to where I work, I wouldn’t dream of it. Because my backyard landscaping makes it feel like I’m on vacation in those nearby mountains.
This pine tree in my backyard is so tall that I could build a three story tree house! Many Nevada homeowners have trees like this in their yards.
I have such beautiful trees in my backyard that it’s hard some days to remember I live in the desert. Two pine trees flank the back wall near my garden. And the side wall is decorated with pomegranate, lemon and mandarin trees. I also have at least three other varieties of trees in the side and front yards that I couldn’t even name if I wanted to.
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With all these trees to care for, it’s hard to know which tree needs what. Nevada homeowners who don’t get a newly-built home usually end up taking over the care for whatever tree was in the yard before. I am certainly someone in that boat. And when you aren’t the one who planted the tree, like me, you might not know its variety or the kind of care it needs.
A Sick Tree Is A Danger For Nevada Homeowners
Often, when a tree is unhealthy, there will be visible signs that indicate it. Like severed or raised roots, mushrooms or other fungi, peeling bark or discolored leaves. This video from the Davey Tree Expert Company gives more visible signs Nevada homeowners should look out for, as well as instruction on how to inspect your trees.
Like many homeowners, especially those of us who didn’t pick out or oversee the planting of our trees, I’m not very well-educated when it comes to tree care. But I do check my trees from time to time, to the best of my ability, to look for signs of decay.
What I don’t do is wait until one of my trees is leaning over or otherwise showing signs of an issue. Because with our windy months, having a strong tree that can withstand those gusts could be the difference between me having a hole in my my roof or not.
That pine tree in my backyard could do some serious damage if it ever decided to fall over. And not just to my house. It’s tall enough that it could reach at least two of my neighbor’s houses, depending on the direction it fell. That’s a law suit I’m really okay not having to deal with.
To keep our trees healthy and happy, we don’t have to be tree experts. But we also shouldn’t assume things about trees that could hurt them in the long run.
5 Myths About Trees That Every Homeowner Should Know
The Davey Tree Expert Company is a knowledgeable resource for all things tree-related. And they have expert arborists throughout North America. Ken Busse is the expert in the Las Vegas area, and he reached out to debunk some myths about trees that Nevada homeowners ought to know.
Myth #1 - Anyone Can Prune A Tree
One of the pine trees in my backyard is so tall that it towers over my roof. Which is nice on those sunny summer days. But on the windy days, it can get a little rough. With the pine needles brushing against my patio awning, like an angry neighbor coming to yell at me for blocking his driveway.
I would be worried on those days if I was the person who pruned those pine giants. But I’m not. I hire guys to come in and do it for me. Because I know pruning isn’t as easy as it seems. Sure, anyone can use a ladder and pruning shears. But knowing how to prune properly is the important thing.
This homeowner is pruning his own tree with gardening shears. Hopefully he knows what type of tree he has and what the needs of it are.
The Davey experts say that pruning is different for each breed of tree. And unless you’re a professional arborist, or someone with an tree obsession and endless hours to watch YouTube, you might not know what your specific tree needs. Even the proper way to remove a branch or how much tree to cut depends on the type of tree you have.
Myth #2 - Trees Don't Need Watering
Okay, it’s a tree. Not a camel. Though even camels need water once in a while. A tree’s age does determine how much water it needs, but even the oldest of them need watering during a long dry spell. Knowing how and where to water is important too. Those very old pines in my backyard are about 40 or so feet from my patio door. But the roots are much closer because the tree’s root system has really spread out over the years.
In fact, when I was laying flagstone just around the patio, I ran into some huge roots just a few inches below the surface. And I’m sure they belonged to that pine that was far from where I was sitting.
A woman is watering her grown tree with a watering can. She knows that even older trees need watering occasionally.
The Davey experts advise that less frequent, deep watering is the key to keeping our trees hydrated during the droughts we often encounter in the desert. They recommend a drip irrigation or soaker hose, and a two-inch layer of mulch around the tree to keep the soil moist. Just make sure the mulch doesn’t pile up against the root flare (where the first main roots attach to the trunk) where excess soil can actually damage.
Myth #3 - You Don't Have To Fertilize Your Tree
When trees live in the forest, there are plenty of nutrients available to it. The Davey experts say that’s not the case in our backyards, especially when our grasses are fighting our trees for nutrients. Plus, when we rake up those leaves (or use the leaf blower, in my case), we’re taking away the very things that break down and recycle and give some nutrients back to our trees.
Fertilizing a tree when it’s young is essential for growth encouragement. But even fertilizing occasionally throughout the tree’s life is important.
The Davey experts say that a slow-release fertilizer is essential for a tree’s vitality. And throughout their life. Not just when they’re young.
Myth #4 - It's Dangerous To Leave A Branch Hanging Over Your House
If this one were true, I’d be in trouble. Remember that tree branch that hangs over my house? Well it might be a hazard if it wasn’t pruned correctly or the tree or branch weren’t healthy. But since I have professionals who make sure both are so, I’m in the clear.
A tree branch like this could cause an issue if it’s not properly pruned. But if it’s taken care of, it actually doesn’t pose a threat to a homeowner.
The Davey experts confirm this and say that not having a professional prune your trees actually could prevent the branches from properly healing. That’s where the real threat comes in. An unhealed tree could become unstable and dangerous.
Myth #5 - Pine Trees Are Dangerous
Another myth I’d be in trouble for if it were actually true. Fortunately, it’s not. Like all pines, the tall trees in my backyard are highly susceptible to our high winds. The Davey experts say it’s the structure of the tree, and how healthy it is, that really determines safety more than the species of the tree itself.
A forest of Ponderosa pine trees in the Flagstaff Arizona area. There are lots of these kinds of pines in and around Las Vegas.
If you are a Nevada homeowner and you’d like a pine tree in your yard, just make sure you work with an expert to ensure you’ve considered all safety precautions. I can tell you from experience that the extra effort to have a pine tree in your yard is worth the benefits. Just make sure you have some sort of craft book on hand about what to do with all the pinecones you’re going to collect.
