Fall is coming and you are going to want to start thinking ahead of how to best care for your trees during the Fall months. Taking proper care of your trees during the Fall will help ensure their survival during the Winter. Most trees will soon be changing colors in preparation for the loss of their leaves. The arrival of fall is a good time to prepare trees for their dormant period.
Beware, the National Arbor Day Foundation does not recommend pruning trees in the fall because disease spores are released during this time of year and may settle into the wounds. However, there is plenty homeowners can do to care for their trees in the fall.
- Remove dead and fallen trees. The decay can invite insects and disease, affecting nearby healthy trees and possibly your home.
- Remove any and all hazards. Fall is a great time to remove hazardous branches that could fall and damage your home or cause serious bodily harm. When the wind storms pick up in the Spring, you’ll be ahead of the game.
- Remove random seedlings. Over the past several months, a seedling or two may have sprouted next to your home, perhaps aided by the water from your gutters. It’s best to remove the seedlings so their roots don’t burrow into your foundation, causing problems with your home’s stability.
- Spray for insects. Fall is a good time to prevent vermin and insects from burrowing further into a tree, undermining its health and stability.
- Wrap trees. Without the cover of leaves, some trees may get winter sun scald, which can damage the bark enough that it may fall off. To prevent sun scald, cover younger trees with a paper tree wrap. Older trees close to the road should be wrapped in burlap to protect them from road salt sprays.
- Fertilize. Fall is a good time to feed your trees. You may want to test the soil first to ensure you give the trees the nutrients and pH they need.
- Pull away mulch. There should be a 6-inch space between your tree and the mulch to discourage fungus growth.
What To Do Now
Now, if you do not feel comfortable or simply don’t have the proper tools to do any of this pruning, we are more than happy to do any of this pruning for you. Also, if you have multiple trees to prune or just don’t have the time to do it, we are here for you. We can handle all of your tree pruning needs and services in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) and even West Richland. We look forward to being your preferred tree maintenance provider.