Preparing your trees for fall can be crucial as this step not only keeps them healthy but also prepares them for the upcoming winter season. Here are five things you can do to prepare your trees for fall.
1. Fertilize
One of the best ways to protect your trees from winter damage is by fertilizing them in the fall. Think of fertilizer as vitamins. Whereas vitamins help protect us from winter colds, fertilizer helps protects trees from various winter-related diseases. The best fertilizers for your trees are the ones that offer slow-release nutrients. This allows your trees to recover from the summer heat and prepares them for a harsh winter ahead of them. You’ll also be lengthening their lifespan.
2. Rake the Fallen Leaves Away From Your Trees
Fungi like to take cover under fallen leaves. By raking them away from your trees, you’re preventing fungi from infecting your trees. However, you shouldn’t necessarily rake them up and remove them. Fallen leaves do add fertilizer, so you can grind them up instead and use them as mulch. If you have a few fallen leaves, it’s great to leave them there. It’s only if the leaves are starting to form a little mound that you’ll start to have fungi problems.
3. Plant New Trees
If you previously had your older trees removed or you have space for new trees, fall is the perfect time to plant new trees in your garden. When you grow new trees in the fall, the cooler temperatures let them solidify their roots. Planting trees in the fall also gives them time to strengthen themselves by the time the dry summer rolls around.
4. Insulate Your Trees Roots by Mulching
Mulch insulates the trees’ roots and keeps them warm, protecting them from the upcoming winter temperatures. Mulch also retains moisture and nutrients. When you apply mulch, you want to apply it so that it extends about three feet in all directions from the tree’s trunk. The depth of your mulch should be about two to four inches deep. Remember, there is good mulch and bad mulch. Talk to an arborist at Top Gun Tree Service so that we can advise you on the type of mulch you should be using for your trees.
5. Keep Track of Your Trees Moisture Levels
Whereas many cities get most of their rainfall in the spring, the wettest season in Columbia, SC is in the fall, which gets 34% of its yearly precipitation. Although fall, overall, is the wettest season, September is still a dry month, with only 7.3 rainy days. This means you should keep track of your trees’ moisture levels as well as the weekly weather reports. If you feel like it will be a dry week, water the trees yourself. This is also a good time to talk to an arborist about how often you should be watering your trees in the fall.
When you need an arborist to inspect your trees, contact Top Gun Tree Service. We can also help you with other tree services, such as stump grinding, trimming, pruning, tree removal, and storm services.
