Seasonal tree maintenance helps trees to thrive, reducing the risk of damage and promoting their beauty. It also reduces the chances that heavy limbs will fall during stormy weather, damaging property or injuring people.
Inspecting regularly throughout each season catches problems, like discolored bark or slow growth, before they cause long-term damage. Seasonal tasks include mulching, watering, aerating, pruning, and monitoring for pests and diseases.
Spring
Trees add value to homes, improve the landscape, and enhance outdoor spaces. Caring for them properly throughout each season helps them thrive and maintain their beauty. But proper care demands an understanding of trees’ specific needs, and their unique requirements in each season.
Spring is the time to check for and treat any lingering winter damage or pest activity. During this time, an arborist can prune branches to remove dead or damaged growth and prevent future problems. They can also prune back overgrown areas and thin out overcrowded trees to improve airflow and promote healthy, vigorous growth.
Mulching can also be done during the spring. A layer of organic mulch will help conserve soil moisture and reduce watering needs. It will also protect the trunks of your trees from lawn mower damage and weeds while adding valuable organic matter to the soil as it decomposes.
It’s also the ideal time to plant fruit trees, as the weather is warming and there is ample moisture to support root development. This will give them the best chance of thriving through summer.
Summer
Trees need special care in the summer to ensure their continued health and vitality. Without seasonal maintenance, trees can be more vulnerable to pest infestations, diseases, and structural weaknesses that result in damaged or falling limbs. Caring for your trees in every season protects them from damage, encourages growth, and fosters a healthy ecosystem right in your backyard.
A proper summer tree maintenance plan includes inspections, mulching, watering strategies, fertilization, and pest control methods. Inspections of your trees in the summer are a great time to look for signs of damage, disease, or insect infestation that may have occurred over the winter. It is also an ideal time to monitor your trees for symptoms such as discolored leaves, wilting branches, and unusual growth patterns.
Mulching in the summer helps to preserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce weeds around the base of your trees. A two inch layer of pine or shredded hardwood mulch is recommended. Younger trees and those in exposed locations will need additional watering during the summer to promote healthy root systems.
It is also important to inspect your trees for structural issues that could become hazardous during a storm or high wind conditions. Large limbs that hang over structures or power lines may benefit from cabling or bracing to reduce the risk of failure.
Fall
After enduring high heat and drought, trees enter fall with stress and a need for some TLC. During this season, pruning can focus on the removal of dead branches to reduce the risk of damage during winter storms. Fertilizing helps the tree store nutrients before entering a dormant period. Lastly, aerating the soil can help prevent compaction and improve water and nutrient uptake.
In addition to pruning and fertilizing, fall is the time to inspect for pests and disease as well as identifying structural weaknesses. With a clear view without leaves obscuring the canopy, it’s easier to spot areas that may need support from cabling or bracing.
Finally, it’s important to water the roots in late fall. A deep watering helps roots grow downward and prepares them for the colder temperatures of winter. This is especially critical for new transplants and young trees with small, underdeveloped root systems that have limited access to groundwater.
In many regions, spring and summer weather can be harsh on trees. Without proper care, they can be subject to significant damage and decline. By focusing on seasonal tasks, homeowners can ensure that their trees are protected from the elements and can thrive for years to come.
Winter
Like people, trees are living organisms that require year-round care to thrive. By syncing their needs with the inherent natural cycles of the seasons, seasonal tree maintenance enhances their health and beauty while minimizing potential problems that could affect their long-term growth and vitality.
Winter tree care is especially important to keep trees safe and healthy. Harsh winter weather can dry out foliage, damage bark, and injure or kill branches, buds, and roots. Additionally, salt used to de-ice roads and sidewalks can cause soil erosion that damages root systems and robs trees of nutrients.
Proper pruning and inspections are essential for maintaining tree health in the winter. Winter is an ideal time for pruning because of the lack of leaves, which allows for a better view of structural weaknesses and potential hazards. Additionally, removing dead branches before they fall during a snowstorm can prevent property and human injury.
Winter tree care also includes preparing the soil for the next growing season by removing weeds and organic debris, adding mulch and fertilizer, and wrapping young or susceptible trees to protect them from frost cracks, and sunscald. This preparation can also reduce fungal diseases, protect roots from nematodes, and provide protection against pest infestations.