u/Embarrassed-Hand-611

Is there anything I can do to help keep the tree healthy? We had a bad freeze at the end of January and I’ve noticed the damage has grown since. The tree was planted by a prior owner so I can’t speak to what they did before we moved into about a year ago. There are a few small insect holes and I’ve treated a few anthills near the base.

My current plan is to dig up the grass around the tree to expose more of the root flair and add a mulch ring.

Any ideas or recommendations would be helpful. Zone 8b.