Summer may seem like it’ll never end (unless you’re enjoying the warm weather), but fall will be here before you know it. Are your trees prepped and ready for the upcoming season and the inevitable winter beyond it? Hometown Tree Experts is here with seven things to keep in mind when planning for fall tree care so that you can proactively plan for the change in seasons.
What Should You Consider for Your Fall Tree Care Plan?
To ensure your trees can make it through the fall and winter to thrive once again in the spring, you should remember these seven aspects of fall tree service and come up with your plan now.
- Do a walkaround in your yard before you do anything. Before you start making your fall tree care checklist, do a visual inspection of each tree in your yard. You want to look out for things like disease or insect infestation so you can treat them before the seasons change. You should also inspect trees for any damage, such as broken limbs or root damage. If you see any of these issues, call in an expert tree service company to handle the problem before cooler weather sets in.
- Trim the trees on your property. The end of summer is the perfect time to start thinking about how to trim and prune the trees on your property. You’ll obviously want to trim or remove dead and damaged branches (they can become a hazard when winter weather sets in), but you should also prune your trees to encourage healthy growth in the spring. Need pointers? Hometown Tree Experts can help you come up with a pruning plan.
- Schedule tree removal service if necessary. If you notice a tree that’s worse for the wear, and showing obvious signs that it’s dying, you might consider scheduling professional tree removal service. Fall and winter winds, plus the weight of snow, can bring the tree down, which will be a big risk to you and your property. It’s never a good idea to choose DIY tree removal, either – you can easily damage your property and seriously injure yourself. Have a professional tree removal service like Hometown Tree Experts come out to assess your tree, and safely remove it from your property if necessary.
- Fertilize your soil. Fall is a great time to fertilize the soil around your trees, so start doing research on which fertilizer will be best for your yard’s needs. A slow-release fertilizer is your best bet in the fall – it’ll provide much-needed nutrients to your tree throughout fall and winter to encourage fresh growth in the spring.
- Clear away dead leaves, twigs, and branches. You should also be planning to clear away dead leaves and branches around the trees in your yard as part of your fall tree care. Dead leaves and branches can cause mold around your tree when the snow starts to fall, which can eventually damage and even kill the trees in your yard (not to mention the grass).
- Freshen up your mulch. Another aspect of tree care to consider for fall is mulch. You should freshen up the area around the bases of your trees with high-quality mulch. Mulching will help conserve moisture in the soil and also help to regulate soil temperature throughout the seasons. You should plan to add an inch or two of mulch around the base of the tree – be careful not to mound it around the trunk – and get this element of tree care done before the ground freezes.
- Cut back on watering. You’ll still want to water your evergreen trees, of course, but in the fall you’ll find that you can cut back on watering other trees in your yard (and cheer as your water bill goes down). The soil will hold more moisture as temperatures drop, and your trees will go dormant as they drop their leaves. Too much moisture can lead to root disease, so monitor your irrigation and be sure to turn it off when it’s time.
Schedule Fall Tree Care With Hometown Tree Experts’ Team
Ready to make a fall tree care plan? Need tree removal service? However you’re prepping for the upcoming season, Hometown Tree Experts can ensure it’s a smooth process. Contact us today for a consultation!