As tree service professionals, we always like to say that the best time to care for your trees is any time you manage to get it done. And that’s the truth – homeowners often get hung up on finding the “right” time to take care of tree trimming and maintenance, and therefore end up skipping it altogether if they don’t have time at the ideal time of year. But if you have the opportunity, there are some very important things you can do as we transition from winter into spring to help prepare your trees for a healthy spring and strong summer.
Pruning!
This is it! It’s the perfect time of year for pruning! (The second best time of year is literally any time, so don’t use this as an excuse to NOT prune your trees if you’re reading this in August or November.) If you could pick the absolutely most ideal time of year to prune your trees, it’s now – as winter transitions into spring, past the harshest and most brutal days of deep winter, but before new spring growth begins. It can be hard to pinpoint this moment before it has passed, but a good guide is to prune your trees after the days have begun to get longer but before any new growth is spotted on trees or sprouting up from the ground. Depending on where you live, this will vary, but February and early March are generally a good guideline. The idea is to do your pruning while you have the best view of your tree trunk and branches (before the leaves have grown back in), before new growth has sprouted, and before it’s warm enough for pests or diseases to use the fresh cuts in your tree to invade. Check for and remove broken, damaged, or rubbing branches, and consider the overall shape of your tree, allowing for adequate light and ventilation into the trunk of the tree.
Plant New Trees and Shrubs
In the latest part of winter, after the ground has thawed, you have the perfect opportunity to add new trees or shrubbery to your garden. Planting (or transplanting) trees during this time allows your trees to “wake up” and adjust to their new location gradually as they come out of their dormant period. Moving trees in the middle of a growing season can disrupt their growth, and planting in the fall can force your trees to face the harshest part of the winter without the benefit of a strong, secure root system. So, spring planting is the way to go!
Watering (Possibly)
This one depends a good bit on where you’re located, geographically. If you live in an area with dry winters, starting to water your trees after the overnight freezes have ended is a good idea. If instead, you live in an area which comes out of winter with a deep accumulation of snow waiting to melt, Mother Nature will take care of that early spring watering for you and your trees.
Mulching
Adding a layer of mulch around your trees (though not too close to the trunk) is a good way to hold in spring moisture (see above) and to discourage weed growth when the warm days of spring start. The mulch will hold and gradually release any moisture added to the root area of your trees (whether you add it, or nature does) while it blocks sunlight to any weeds or grasses that might try to crop up around the base of your tree, giving you a head start on a healthy, weed-free garden before spring even gets started.
As we move from late winter into spring, take advantage of this vital time in your trees’ life cycle. And if you need help with pruning, or advice on watering, mulching, or anything else your trees need as they prepare for spring, give your local tree service professionals a call. If you’re here in the Cincinnati area, you can call us here at Tree Images!
