Trees are excellent for homes and businesses because they provide shade and improve a property’s exterior appeal. Most trees start to lose their leaves in the fall and then go dormant in the winter. Aside from raking away those fallen leaves, they don’t need significant maintenance to stay healthy during this time of year. However, a few simple tree care measures can help you ensure that they’re in the best possible condition once spring comes back around.

3 Important Tree Care Tips for Fall & Winter

1. Provide Enough Water

The weather and air tend to dry out as temperatures cool. Because of this, you need to ensure that your trees are receiving the proper amount of hydration. If you dig into the ground a couple of inches and the soil is arid, you need to create a watering schedule or invest in a sprinkler system. However, ensure that you don’t overwater, as this can ruin your landscaping by making the ground soggy or causing puddling.

2. Add Mulch

Mulch can help retain water and keep it from evaporating during warm days at the end of fall. It can also keep the ground insulated, so the tree’s roots are protected. Though it’s okay for the earth to freeze once winter fully hits, constant freeze-thaw cycles can cause significant shifting underground and disturb the burgeoning root system, especially for young trees. Mulch helps insulate the soil and keep the area around the roots from freezing during the colder months.

3. Prune Dormant Trees

It’s not a good idea to prune trees in the fall since fungi and disease are plentiful during this time of year, and cutting branches can make trees vulnerable to decay. If you didn’t have your trees trimmed in the summer, then wait to do so until they go fully dormant in the winter. Don’t put it off until the following year, since heavy snow and ice can turn vulnerable branches into safety hazards around your property or even cause damage to your roof or home.

If you need any help with tree care, tree trimming, or tree removal around your property, call the experts at Mike’s Tree Service in Cleves, OH. With more than 25 years of experience serving the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas, the tree service company is equipped to handle everything from routine maintenance to emergency removal service. Everyone on the team receives extensive training to provide the highest level of service possible and maintain excellent safety conditions around your property. Visit the company’s website to see a full list of services. To request immediate assistance, call (513) 353-0395.