Fall is the season when we all appreciate our gorgeous, deciduous trees the most – the changing colors create a beautiful show throughout the season. It’s also an important time of year to look after those beautiful trees, and we’ve got 6 simple ways for you to give your trees some TLC.
Rake Those Leaves
This is the one you knew was coming – the changing leaves definitely provide a stunning display, but for every golden or orange leaf we appreciate on the tree, we’ve got to spend time getting those lovely leaves back up off of the ground once they’ve fallen. There are some good arguments for leaving leaves where they lay, such as dead leaves providing good shelter and food for creatures throughout the winter, but allowing too many to remain on your grass or around the roots of the trees can cause problems down the road. In particular, they can block sunlight, therefore killing the grass, and they can encourage mold growth on the roots or trunks of trees. So, while it’s true that you don’t need to collect every last leaf off of your lawn, it’s best to rake up most of them to make sure your trees and lawn go into the winter in the best possible shape.
Plant Now for Spring
From bulbs to bushes to young trees, autumn is a great time to prepare for next spring and summer by planning ahead and planting now. Flower bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, should be planted in the fall, but it’s also a great time to give young trees and bushes a head start by allowing them to adjust to their new environment and be ready to flourish in time for the warmth and sunshine next spring, and to let them be well adjusted before the heat and harsh summer conditions set in.
Fertilize in the Fall
Autumn is a perfect time to apply fertilizer to your trees. If you think about it, it’s very natural for trees to get an extra dose of soil rich with nutrients in the fall – this mimics the natural decomposition of fallen leaves and gives the trees just what they need before heading into the stress of winter.
Mulch too!
Fall is also the perfect time to build up a bed of mulch around your trees’ roots. It’s common for people to confuse fertilizing and mulching – they are two different processes which both benefit your trees. Mulch provides protection for your trees and their roots, while fertilizer provides an extra dose of nutrients to your trees. They are both helpful, they can be done together, and fall is the perfect season for both!
Trim Your Trees
After the storms and stress of the summer, and before the storms and stress of winter, get your trees trimmed (or you can do it yourself, for certain kinds of tree trimming jobs). Branches that are weakened or damaged from summer storms should be trimmed off before the ice and snowstorms hit, and once your trees have stopped growing in the autumn, it is the ideal time from a tree health perspective to trim and shape your trees, setting them up for optimal growth in the springtime. Fall is also the best time for removing dead trees before they can become a wintertime hazard.
Add Cables and Braces if You Need Them
Bigger, older trees, or ones that are in precarious or potentially dangerous places sometimes need extra support in the form of cables and braces, which can help to stabilize trees in high winds or during intense storms. Having these braces or cables in place before the ice, wind, and snow of winter will help to keep you, your neighbors, your property, and your trees safe and healthy throughout the year.
Fall really is a busy time for tree and yard work and maintenance. If you’re a do-it-yourself enthusiast, that’s great! But if these tasks sound like something you might like a hand with, never forget that we are here to help!
