Avoiding String Trimmer Damage to Trees aka Save the Trees!

Trees provide us with shade and oxygen, bring life to our yards, and are a pain to mow around! But, an essential part of keeping your lawn looking its best is to trim around the trees and other obstacles in the yard after mowing. However, hitting a tree base with a string trimmers or weed wackers can cause an open wound damaging its bark and trunk and invite pests and disease.

The tree’s bark protects the tree from the elements, disease, and insects. Whereas the sun is essential for the growth of the tree, the sun can also dry out the phloem layer of the tree trunk that transports essentials sugars and minerals up the tree and to its branches. The bark is the protective layer that prevents this from happening. The bark also contains natural chemicals that ward off fungi from feeding on the trees sap. Therefore, it is important not to cut into or strip the bark from the base of the tree when trimming.

There are a number of methods available for safely keeping the grass and weeds around the tree under control.

Mulch Around Trees

The most popular and most attractive way of protecting the tree from trimmer damage is by adding mulch around the tree. According to the Purdue Extension Office, you should add a 2” to 3” layer of mulch around the tree and over the root zone. This provides both a visual signal in keeping equipment away from the tree as well as a weed barrier. This prevents the need to trim up close to the tree’s base.

Weed and Grass Killer

A low maintenance but risky method is to spray weed and vegetation killer around the base of the tree. Whereas this technique will prevent grass and weeds from growing up around the tree, the chemicals may have an adverse effect on the tree itself. If this is your preferred option of weed control, consult with a professional to ensure that the chemicals you are about to use will not harm the tree.

Tree Guards

Tree guards are a great way to protect the base of smaller trees. The typical tree guard is made of polyurethane or plastic that will take the abuse of the weed trimmer while protecting the sensitive tree bark.

Trimming Around Trees

Although it is not recommended to use a powered nylon string trimmer too close to trees, this is a very common method of keeping the weeds and grass cut down around the trees. Therefore, when using a string weed trimmer, keep the trimmer head parallel to the ground and let up on the power. The nylon string will still cut the grass but will be easier on the tree.

Best String Trimmers and Weed Wackers

If you’re looking for a Trimmer in Fort Wayne, visit Crescent Avenue Gardens. We carry a large selection of Stihl trimmers – both gas and electric to keep grass and weeds at bay.

Stihl FS 38 String Trimmer

The Sthil FS 38 gas-powered curved-shaft line trimmer is lightweight — only 9.3 pounds. Its 15″ cutting width and ergonomic loop handle provide exceptional handling while cutting down trimming time.

Sthil FS 56 C-E Trimmer

The straight-shaft Stihl FS 56 C-E grass trimmer with its 16.5″ cutting swath is a great trimmer for homeowners who need to trim large or difficult areas. The bike-style handles provide greater comfort and help you get a handle on even the toughest trim jobs.

Stihl FSA 65 Electric Trimmer

The Stihl FSA 65 curved-shaft Electric Trimmer uses a 36-volt battery, eliminating the need for gas or power cords. It’s extremely light weight and 8 times quieter than gas-powered trimmers without sacrificing performance. But don’t take our word for it, see what a Stihl customer had to say about their electric trimmer:

I recently purchased the FSA 65 electric trimmer to trim my yard. After reading the specs, and from previous purchases of Stihl products, I was confident this product would not disappoint. The initial charging time of the battery was about 30 minutes and when I first used it I was amazed at its power. My back yard was very over grown so I trimmed off the tall grass so it could be mowed. I not only cut all of the overgrowth but there was enough power left to trim the whole yard. Even as I was on the last bar of the battery, the trimmer still had the power of a full charge. I love this product and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone. It’s light weight, extremely easy to use, and is a true work horse. Five stars in my book; this is a great product. – Jan

 

Trimmers in Fort Wayne, IN

See these and all of our Stihl trimmers online or visit our outdoor power equipment store in Fort Wayne on Crescent Avenue. Our broad range of quality Stihl trimmers along with our other lawn and garden equipment will help you keep your lawn looking its best.