The soil and climate of Columbus are just right for a variety of blooming ornamental trees. These include kanzan cherry trees, redbuds, flowering quince, dogwoods, and hawthorns. These flowering trees are mostly easy to grow, but they need proper care to be as strong, healthy, and productive as they can be.
Depending on the species, some trees need to be pruned or trimmed right after they flower, but others need to be pruned or trimmed during the winter while they’re still dormant. Others are heavier feeders when it comes to fertilizer. The needs of the tree should be taken into consideration even before they are bought, as some do best in full sun, some in partial shade, and some even in full shade.
The type of soil is important as well. There are trees that love rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Some even like soil that’s dry and poor, and others like it wet and acidic. Some really hardy trees aren’t fussy about the soil or even the amount of sunlight they get.
Caring for Your Blooming Ornamentals
Here are some tips that can be applied to most blooming ornamental trees.
- Check for damage and disease
- Add mulch to the base
- Fertilize
- Water if they need it
It is always a good idea to check for damage or disease year-round. This means looking for problems not just in the tree’s branches but also in its bark and its roots. Pests tend to show up in the warmer weather, but the damage they do can also be discovered at any time. For expert advice on damage, disease, and pests of ornamental trees, call our arborists.
Mulch not only keeps water in, but it also keeps weeds out. Moreover, as organic mulch breaks down, it adds nutrients to the soil. One tip is to make sure that you don’t put the mulch right up to the place where the trunk of the tree meets the roots because that can lead to rot.
Some ornamental trees need a lot of fertilizer while others do not. Others need certain types of fertilizer. A quince tree, for example, may need to be fed supplemental iron if the soil is very alkaline. Ask our arborists at Bluegrass for advice on fertilizing.
Most established trees don’t need watering unless there’s a long dry spell. On the other hand, young trees should be watered fairly regularly.
Call Bluegrass Tree & Lawn
Found on both banks of the Scioto River, Columbus is home to a wealth of cultural and natural attractions, including the Wexner Center for the Arts and the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which feature various flowering trees. To help the flowering ornamental trees on your property live a long, blossoming life, don’t hesitate to call our arborists at Bluegrass Tree & Lawn.
