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Learn how to take care of trees during fall season by reading the information below
Fall is a great time to ensure your trees are ready for winter and the following spring. Use cooler days to give your trees an optimum growing environment and the fertilizers they need to continue growing strong.
This article looks at some of the fall tree care methods you should be performing.
Fertilize Your Tree Roots
- Besides regular trimming, fertilization is one of the best ways to keep your trees healthy. Fertilizing in the fall helps protect trees from winter damage. The trees that grow in the forest have nutrient-rich soil beneath them. The fallen leaves and organic matter on the forest floor provide essential nutrients that trees require for growth. However, in your home’s landscape, this does not happen. From low moisture availability to compaction and physical damage, trees in urban environments face high-stress conditions.
In addition, leaves, twigs, and barks are raked away, thus depriving roots of all the natural nutrients. The trees that grow under these conditions fail to reach their full landscape potential, have a shorter lifespan, and are susceptible to pests and diseases. Tree maintenance programs, including optimal fertilization, are crucial to combat these high-stress situations. The application of slow-release fertilizers that steadily provide nutrients to help trees grow should be considered in the fall.
Remove Fallen Tree Leaves
- Fallen leaves usually become a host to disease-causing fungi. As the days become warm in spring, the raindrops germinate the overwintering spore of fungi, thus allowing them to reinfect trees. The best solution is to rake and remove these fungi-harboring leaves to reduce the risk of tree diseases and re-infections.
Apply Mulch
- One of the best things you can do to improve your trees’ health is to apply mulch around trees. Mulching protects a tree from the approaching winter’s cold by insulating its roots. Mulching enables the soil to retain moisture and organic matter. It is a cost-effective technique that provides several benefits to trees.
High-quality organic material helps your tree thrive by adding organic matter to the soil around the tree. In addition, it conserves soil moisture, maintains the temperature of the soil, as well as gives it resilience against erosion. Ground-up leaves, weed-free straws, or wood can be used to make organic mulch.
Reduce Irrigation
- During the hot, dry summer months, irrigation systems can help keep your trees green. However, with the arrival of winter, the plants need less moisture, and the soil is naturally moist. Trees need less supplemental water to survive during fall and winter. This is because the soil loses less water to evaporation during the cooler months. Hence, there is a need to reduce or turn off the irrigation to avoid over-saturating the soil.
Trimming Trees
Trimming and pruning is an essential annual tree care practice. Pruning dead, diseased, and unsafe tree branches allow you to protect yourself, your home, and your belongings. In addition, it keeps the tree in the proper structure and shape.
Here are a few tree-trimming tips to follow:
- To prevent lifeless branches to succumb to winter snow and winds, it is better to trim them timely.
- Tree limbs that are cracked, diseased looking, and loose should be cut close to the trunk. Do not leave the stub while cutting the limbs; leave the wounds exposed to promote healing.
- Call a certified arborist for professional help if tree branches are too large for you to handle.
American Tree Experts Inc is a professional tree pruning and nutrient management company. We look after your trees in the best way possible. Contact us at 973-774-6091 today and get a free quote for all your tree-related needs.