Many homeowners invest in tree trimming services, only to feel like trees are right back to looking overgrown two seasons later. Lockwood Tree Solutions sees this issue across the Heights and up on the West End in Billings, MT. Homeowners want that clean, healthy look to stick around, but trees in our part of Montana take a beating from the elements. Between the heavy wet spring snows and those brutal windstorms howling off the Yellowstone River, keeping your property looking sharp takes a little strategy.
Extending the life of a good trim is not about letting nature do its own thing. Once we wrap up a job at Lockwood Tree Solutions, the real upkeep falls on the property owner. You have to protect those cuts and keep an eye on how the canopy responds. Here is what regular maintenance actually looks like for a Billings yard.
What Regular Upkeep Involves
You do not need to be out there with a pole saw every weekend. In fact, over-pruning will kill a tree faster than almost anything else. Regular tree maintenance mostly means paying attention to the health of trees on your property.
- Clear away fallen debris and deadwood from the base so pests do not move in.
- Deep-water your trees during dry spells, especially before the ground freezes solid in November.
- Watch for new sucker growth near the bottom trunk and rub it off early.
Our soil around Billings tends to be heavy clay, which holds moisture weirdly and stresses root systems. If you are watering too shallowly after tree trimming, the tree gets weak. Give it deep, infrequent soakings so those roots chase moisture downward.
Warning Signs You Can Not Ignore
Sometimes a tree starts waving red flags long before a branch comes down on your fence. You need to know what to look for when inspecting trees in Billings, MT.
Dead branches that snap off cleanly without any green inside are obvious, but watch out for cracks forming in the main union where large limbs attach. If you notice sawdust piling up at the base of the trunk or strange fungal conks growing out of the bark, you have bigger issues than just needing a tree trim. Leaves turning brown in July without a drought cause usually means something is cutting off water flow from the inside.
When to Call a Professional
Tree work past the reach of hand pruners gets dangerous fast. If a branch is hanging over your roof, or if you are dealing with power lines near the alley, put the tools down. Same goes for trees showing heavy decay or leaning after a heavy wind event in Billings, MT.
For homes and businesses in Billings, Lockwood Tree Solutions provides Tree Service. We know how Billings weather treats local trees, and our team will help you keep your property safe and looking great year-round.