Posted on November 18th, 2014
Even though it seems like Christmas is just around the corner and we’re starting to see snowflakes fly, it’s still fall. The ground is not yet frozen here in New England and there’s still time to ensure that your trees are prepared for winter.
Here are some homeowner tips for fall tree care that will help keep your trees happy and healthy and ready for spring:
Prune any dead branches and weak, old growth that can harbor insects and disease
Water your evergreens now before the ground freezes. Unlike deciduous trees that lose their foliage in the fall, the needles on pines, hemlocks, and other evergreens are, well, “ever green” and lose water by evaporation through their needles during the long, cold, and dry winter months. A good drink of water now will help them retain valuable moisture.
Mulch your tree beds with a thick layer of insulating mulch to help your trees retain moisture and reduce the effects of winter’s extreme temperatures. Mulch essentially acts as a protective blanket for your trees. You can even apply mulch after the ground has frozen. So, mulch now or mulch later – just make sure you mulch!
Wrap newly-planted or young trees with protective tree-wrap paper to help prevent them from getting sunburned from the harsh winter sun reflecting off the snow pack. Wrap your trees in late fall and then remove the tree wrapping in the early spring.
Remove diseased leaves from around trees. If you’ve noticed signs of disease such as tar spot (easily recognized by conspicuous black spots on maple leaves), red oak wilt disease, or other common New England tree diseases, make sure you rake up the dead, fallen leaves and dispose of them properly (do NOT burn or compose because they can re-infect your trees). While many of these diseases do not cause severe or long-term damage, they should still be treated to help prevent their return next year.
Feed your trees with a late-season fertilizer, when and where appropriate. Autumn is the time when trees and shrubs are putting their energy into root development instead of foliage, so for many varieties, it’s still time to feed them for improved growth and health next season.
If you’re unsure about proper fall tree care or need professional help for hard-to-reach pruning and other services, the tree care professionals here at Turf Unlimited are happy to help. Contact us today to discuss your needs, now and for next season.
