Share:

With bright oranges, deep reds, and brilliant yellows, fall is unquestionably a gorgeous season for trees. To keep the trees on your property healthy, you may have to do a little more than just be in awe of the beautiful colors. From mulching to pruning, here are some helpful tips for preparing your trees for the winter chill.

How to Care for Trees in the Fall

1. Fertilize

The heat of the summer can sap away a tree’s important nutrients, and the cold of the winter freezes the soil, preventing nutrients from entering the tree. Applying a slow-release fertilizer will help rejuvenate a tree from the heat and give it the sustenance it needs to remain healthy throughout the whole winter season.

2. Prune

The cooler temperatures of fall make for the perfect time to plant new trees in your yard. The chilly weather helps stimulate root growth in new plants and help them stay healthy through the winter before getting a growth boost from spring and summer’s rain and heat. Not all types of trees should be planted during the fall, however. Balled and burlap trees will take to the ground well, but open-root trees should be planted later in the year when they’re dormant.

3. Mulch

mulchingMuch like you curl up under a comfy blanket during the winter, mulching your trees in the fall will help give them the protection they need against winter’s chill. Lining the base of your trees with composted material helps the plants retain water and prevents damage caused by freezing temperatures.

Although mulching in a tree’s entire drip area is best, a two- or three-foot radius of mulch two to four inches deep will do the trick if that space is unavailable. Mulch should not be piled up against the trunk of the tree, and if it has been mulched before, old mulch should be completely replaced instead of adding another layer.

 

If you’re looking for professional tree trimming and mulching before the winter, Tidwell’s Tree Service is ready to help. With more than 30 years of service in the Macon and Milledgeville, GA, area, the company takes pride in delivering exceptional work. With an experienced arborist on staff, the team will expertly handle a wide range of work including tree removal and precise pruning. Visit their website for a full list of services, or call (478) 452-0234 to speak with a friendly representative.

tracking