We’re back this month to discuss fall and winter tree care. It may seem like there isn’t much to do for your trees during these seasons. Trees, however, can benefit from many services that are best done while the tree is dormant or preparing for dormancy. One of the main tasks that is top priority in tree service for fall and winter is scheduling an assessment by a tree expert. All Barnegat tree companies agree that only an inspection by a professional can save your property from potential hazards.
Fall
Fall is another great time in the garden and landscape. Because it is usually not an active growing season for most plants, it is a great time to perform maintenance. It is also a great time to plant new trees. Newly planted trees are very susceptible to suffering from drought and heat stress. Planting during the fall keeps them safe from the severity of summer. Plus, it gives them all of autumn to prepare for winter. For the rest of your trees, during this season you should fertilize, freshen-up, prune, and as always, inspect.
Fertilize – Feeding your young trees now will give them strength over winter. The healthier the tree and roots, the safer the tree. It is important to improve the condition of the soil for trees. Better soil means stronger roots. Stronger roots mean healthier trees and healthier trees are better able to resist pests and diseases.
Freshen-Up – This is an important step this time of year. It is important to rake and remove any dead leaves. One, in case they were contaminated with any diseases or pests, it is best not to leave them laying around, especially close to the tree. Second, piles of dead leaves can retain moisture, which we already know is a great place for fungi and mold and mildew to grow. It’s also a good idea to freshen your mulch pile and ensure there is a 3-inch ring of space around the trunk where no mulch is touching the base of the tree.
Prune – Fall is the perfect time of year to remove extra limbs. If you are unsure if your trees need any branches removed, give us a call to come take a look. We’re one of the top Barnegat tree companies because of the service we provide. Don’t take our word for it though. Check out our testimonials to see what our clients have to say!
Inspect – Taking a close look at all your trees in the fall is best. We can help you inspect all your trees and decide what, if anything, needs to go. Doing this now will remove any limbs or branches that could possibly cause damage during a severe winter storm. Healthy, properly trimmed trees are much less of a liability. Also, some young trees may need some additional reinforcement and fall is a great time to add support cables.
Winter
Although you would assume that trees would be fairly care-free during winter, there is still some maintenance tasks that are best done in winter in order to protect them from the harshness of winter. The months of winter are perfect for treatment, pruning, and planning.
Treat Evergreens – Protecting evergreens from losing as much water as possible is best done with an application of anti-desiccant. As far as evergreens go, this is something many homeowners overlook and their trees may be just fine. But, for healthy, lush, gorgeous evergreens, give them a boost by preventing moisture loss. Although there are less pests, there are still pests. Insects like leafhoppers and birch borers need to be treated.
Prune and Trim – Tree companies in Barnegat remain busy during the colder months. Pruning and trimming during dormancy allows them to heal better. This is because they can focus solely on ailing the wound rather than fighting off pests and diseases. Plus, with the ground frozen, your property can be better protected from our heavy machinery. Lastly, even though all the branches are bare, our tree experts can better asses which branches need to go.
Plan – Spring follows winter. After receiving an assessment from a tree expert, you can begin to plan you summer to-do list. Hopefully at this point your trees have been examined and trimmed properly so you get to focus on the rest of your garden. Keep in mind when assessing your sun and shade that if you recently had trees trimmed so your shade patterns may be different.
We’re Among the Leading Barnegat Tree Companies
We’re one of the best tree companies in Barnegat for many reasons. We’re fully licensed and insured, have all our own equipment, and provide a wide variety of tree services at fair prices. Contact us anytime to discuss your tree care needs!
Taking care of your trees is always important. Nonetheless, sometimes misguided attempts at care end up causing destruction rather than healing. Just as any other living thing, trees can get stressed. Just as stress has negative impacts on people, this type of pressure can cause irreparable damages to trees. Performing the wrong care task at the wrong time or incorrectly can lead to tree death. Providing tree care is good. However, knowing what is best to do and when during the year to do it can greatly impact how positive that care is for the tree. Plus, there are different dangers during different seasons and that greatly influences how best to care for your trees. As an expert tree company in Barnegat, Ben Bivins Tree Experts is here for all your tree service needs, no matter what time of year it is.
Spring
Spring is a very active time for landscaping and, of course, for gardening. The same is true for tree care. As spring approaches, the four things to considering doing for your trees are plant, feed, protect, and inspect.
Plant – After your planning stage in winter, spring is a great time of year to plant new trees once the danger of frost is gone. Newly planted trees usually require a lot of water. Because spring is typically a rainy season, it is a great time to plant and give your new trees the best chance at survival. Plus, planting now gives them 3 seasons to grow and strengthen before winter.
Feed – For established trees, this time of year is ideal for fertilization. Giving trees a boost at this time can help them fend off spring hazards. You should use fertilizer sparingly, or not at all, on immature, growing trees because there is a risk of burning young roots. If you are unsure if your trees need to be fertilized, give us a call and we can help.
Protect – Because spring is usually such a wet season, fungi thrive this time of year. A good defense is always best when it comes to preventing diseases and pests from ravaging your trees. It is best to spray your trees to protect against diseases before any signs of damage which is why spring is an ideal time to apply insecticides and preventatives.
Inspect – After winter, it is always a good idea to take a walk around your property to look for signs of broken or dangling limbs and branches. It is always better to remove these before they fall and cause harm to you and your property. Just as spring storms can be advantageous for watering purposes, they can be disastrous to weakened or broken trees. We never advise homeowners attempt to remove limbs on their own. If you need assistance with damaged trees on your property, give your favorite tree company in Barnegat a call at 609-698-4992.
Summer
Summer is for water, protect, and inspect. With summer in full swing, there is a little less action happening in the garden aside from watering and maintenance. Performing excessive maintenance jobs on trees is not advisable during the heat of summer. Trees need to be able to focus on growing and establishing strong roots rather than healing from a large pruning job.
Water – For trees that are not mature or well-established, a good watering routine is still important. Especially during long, hot weeks with no rain. Propper watering technique is to give the tree a good soaking. Not providing enough water can lead to shallow root growth which makes for very weak trees.
Protect – Just as in spring, summer is a very busy time for bugs and pests. If you didn’t catch them in spring, they’re going to be very evident by summer. Beetles like the emerald ash borer can do some major damage to ash trees while Elms are susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease. Contact us at the first sign of trouble to stay ahead of killer pests.
Inspect – In order to know anything is wrong, you need to continuously examine your trees, the branches, the trunk, and the leaves. Any impairments should be reported immediately to your go-to tree company in Barnegat so we can figure out the best solution. Broken and damaged limbs should be removed as soon as possible to avoid any catastrophes.
As an Expert Tree Company in Barnegat, We Know Trees
Nobody knows trees like we know trees. This includes where to plant them, where to plant them, how to best take care of them, and when it’s best to remove them. Proper tree maintenance is essential in preserving the safety of your property. Diseased trees can drop limbs resulting in personal injury or property damage. Keep your trees in the best health with our expert tree care services.
Be sure to check back next month to read about what to do with your trees in fall and winter!