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The changing of the seasons is coming to the Kennewick area. You will want to make sure your trees and shrubbry is prepared for the chance. Here are some of the most important things you should be doing and looking for.

Pruning In The Fall: Wait a Little Bit
In early fall, pruning wounds close more slowly and plants are more at risk for fungal diseases than at other times of year. For most trees, the best time for major pruning is late winter to early spring because wounds close faster.

Pruning in late summer and early fall may also stimulate new growth, which has little time to harden before cold weather comes. The cold can harm this tender new growth, and the tree may need more pruning in spring to remove the damage.

Mulching
Using mulch is a highly effective method of protecting fruit trees in fall — specifically their roots. Mulch, during the growing season, should not be more than a few inches thick, but in the winter, a little extra doesn’t hurt*. Just be sure to rake away the excess mulch material once the temperatures warm up in the spring. It’s useful to note that not all mulch is created equal, and, for winter protection, there are some types of mulch that get the job done better than others.

Effective Types of Mulch for Winter Protection — these provide insulation and also break down, adding to the soil:

• Wood chips
• Pine needles
• Bark mulch
• Evergreen boughs (great way to recycle Christmas trees!)
• Straw

Ineffective Types of Mulch for Winter Protection — these don’t provide much heat retention and don’t add nutrients to the soil:

We look forward to being your first call when it comes to tree maintenance in Kennewick. Don’t hesitate calling us to ask us what you think are the smallest questions. We can’t wait to help you and have the chance to earn your business.

The changing of the seasons is coming to the Pasco area. You will want to make sure your trees and shrubbry is prepared for the chance. Here are some of the most important things you should be doing and looking for.

Prepare The Planting Hole
When preparing any hole for an incoming shrub or tree, make the hole two to three times wider than the current root mass, but don’t make it any deeper than the plant was growing in its previous environment. An even better guide with trees is to look for the flare of the trunk near the soil level. Don’t place the tree in the planting hole so deep that any part of that flare is covered with soil. The truth is, even nurseries sometimes put plants in containers too deeply. There have been many times where I’ve actually had to pull away soil to get back to the base of the trunk flare. Make a habit of checking this.

Plant High
I go even one step further by placing transplants in their new environment with up to a third of the root ball higher than the surrounding soil level. I then taper soil up to cover all the roots and add a generous layer of mulch above that. Newly disturbed soil has a tendency to settle and plants growing below grade can easily succumb to root rot or disease. In my book, it’s always better to plant a tree or shrub slightly high and allow the area to drain than for a plant to sit in a bowl and collect excess water.

We look forward to being your first call when it comes to tree maintenance in Pasco. Don’t hesitate calling us to ask us what you think are the smallest questions. We can’t wait to help you and have the chance to earn your business.

The changing of the seasons is coming to the Benton City area. You will want to make sure your trees and shrubbery is prepared for the chance. Here are some of the most important things you should be doing and looking for.

Don’t Change The Soil
Contrary to regular planting methods, research shows you should not change the hole with additional organic material. Roots growing in changed soil rarely venture into harder native soil. The effect is a smaller root system, reduced growth and a less hardy plant. Instead, simply break up the clumps in existing soil, remove the rocks and backfill. Studies show plant roots growing in only the native soil actually did a better job at establishing and expanding beyond the original hole.

Get Rid Of Air Pockets
Be sure to lightly tamp or hand-pack the soil around the plant roots to ensure good soil-to-root contact. I add water to the hole after backfilling half way. Not only does it provide needed moisture but also the water helps eliminate air pockets that could otherwise result in dead roots or worse. Finally, water again thoroughly once all the soil is in place.

Add Mulch
Next, add mulch with about 3 inches of organic matter such as shredded leaves, ground bark or nuggets. Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps soil temperatures moderate.

Mind The Watering
Fall conditions can be very dry, so water throughout the winter if necessary to prevent soil conditions from becoming too dry. Roots are still growing and soil moisture is essential for proper establishment.

The fall season is the right time to transplant trees and shrubs and even plant new ones. It’s easier on you and the plants, and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.

We look forward to being your first call when it comes to tree maintenance in Pasco. Don’t hesitate calling us to ask us what you think are the smallest questions. We can’t wait to help you and have the chance to earn your business.