Evergreen Tree Care

Going by the simplest definition possible, evergreen trees are trees which have dense green foliage all year round. These trees are quite popular as ornamental plants owing to their thick foliage which adds to the beauty of the landscape. More importantly, these self-sufficient trees require minimal care, which is again a plus point which acts in favor for their increasing popularity.

About Evergreen Trees

Evergreen trees are typically characterized by their ability to retain foliage all year round. This is exactly opposite to deciduous trees, which shed their foliage for a part of the year and grow a new one. Most of the evergreen trees grow in tropical climate, while some grow in temperate climate. Interestingly enough, a few species are also known to sustain in much colder regions of the world. Most of these trees have needle-like leaves, which is their adaptation to conserve water. Yet another interesting aspect of some evergreen tree species is their waxy foliage, which significantly reduces the evaporation of moisture from the leaves.

Advantages of Evergreen Trees

Retaining foliage all year round comes as a boon for evergreen trees, as they don't have to waste energy growing new foliage every spring like their deciduous counterparts do. They conserve energy, while slowly shedding old foliage and growing new one simultaneously throughout the various seasons. The leaves of these trees help them in more than a way. As these nutrient-rich leaves fall on the ground they decompose and act as natural fertilizers for the tree. The thick foliage also provides protection for the bark and branches, as it ensures that the sunlight and snow are kept away from them.

How to Care for an Evergreen Tree?

Being self-sustaining in nature, these trees seldom require as much attention as other tree types do. Given below are some tips of evergreen tree care which will ensure that your tree grows well against all odds.

• The best time to plant an evergreen tree is in spring, when frost has vanished, but the weather is still cool and some spring rain is expected.
• Though these trees can grow well in ordinary soil, using well-drained soil is an advantage as it ensures that the roots get sufficient amount of water.
• Hot dry weather, especially during the summer, is known to take a toll on evergreen trees, and hence they require substantial amount of water during this period.
• While watering the tree, ideally, you should provide a substantial amount of water, which would at least percolate 6 inches deep into the ground.
• These trees don't really require any extra fertilizers as the leaves of the tree which fall on the ground decompose and act as natural manure.
• In winter, these trees become susceptible to winter burn owing to excessive wind and winter sun. In order to avoid this, you should ideally provide them with copious amount of water somewhere in late fall, just before the ground freezes.
• The best time to prune evergreen trees is in spring, just before the new buds appear. Ideally, you should prune the tree in such a manner that the inner branches continue to grow, and facilitate a dense foliage.

You will also have to make sure that your tree is safe from rodents, which feed on the roots of the plant, and species like the deer, which tend to feed on the shoots of the plant. You should also keep a track on the growth of the tree, and check for signs of ill health and attend to them, if you find any.

If you follow these tips religiously, your tree will grow quite well and thrive for several years to come. However, you should also make a note of the fact that these tips are generic, and thus bound to differ from one species to another.