The Fallen Leaf Tree team has put together this handy fall tree care checklist. Contact us for best-in-class Roseville tree service.
5 Essential Tips for Your Fall Tree Care Checklist
1. Watering
It is essential to have a watering plan in place before winter sets in. Regular watering will ensure that your trees have enough water throughout the fall and winter months to survive and thrive next spring.
Outline your watering plan on your fall tree care checklist to include how much water each tree needs during fall and winter. The amount of water will depend on the tree species (evergreen versus deciduous trees), size, and location.
2. Mulching
Mulching helps reduce the amount of moisture lost from the soil. It also keeps the soil moisture and temperature constant.
During fall, you should mulch around your tree’s base on top of the root ball, going at least 2 inches deep. To ensure your mulch doesn’t compact during the winter months, add some organic matter to it every few weeks (such as wood chips).
3. Tree Pruning
Pruning is essential to any tree care routine, especially during the fall. Hire a professional to help you out if you lack the time or skill.
Prune the branches growing in a direction you don’t want them to go. Prune back dead wood and remove any damaged or diseased branches.
4. Fertilization
Fall is the best time to fertilize your tree because it allows the nutrients to reach their roots before they die from the cold weather. Your tree’s health and overall longevity will improve as a result.
Many different types of fertilizer are available for trees, but we recommend using slow-release fertilizer spikes. Spikes slowly release nutrients over several months so that your tree receives enough nutrients throughout the winter without becoming over-fertilized or damaged by too much nitrogen.
5. Bracing and Cabling
If you have leaning trees or trees with weak limbs on your property, consider bracing and cabling as part of your fall tree care checklist.
Bracing involves wrapping a cable around the tree’s trunk. The cable supports the tree during high winds and heavy snowfall.
It’s best to hire a professional for bracing and cabling. A trained arborist will know how much tension to apply to stabilize the tree without damaging it further.
6. Check for Tree Pests and Diseases
As the seasons change, so do the pests that plague your trees. While you should always keep an eye out for insects and diseases in your trees, you should be especially vigilant in the fall. This time of year is when pest activity peaks.
Look for signs of infestation (e.g., webs or holes) on the leaves and branches of your trees and on their trunks. If you see any signs of infestation, contact a professional to remove them before they cause more damage to your trees.
Contact Us Today for More Tree Care Tips
If you’re looking for tree care in Roseville, CA, we can help! Fallen Leaf Tree offers a range of services to keep your trees healthy, happy, and safe. We help property owners know how to save trees struck by lightning and other tree care tips.
Call (916) 447-8733 to schedule a free tree assessment and get more tips for your fall tree care checklist.