Preparing your Trees for Autumn

Autumn is a magical season for nature lovers, especially for those who are lucky enough to have a garden full of trees that will soon begin to change the color of their foliage. But how much do you know about autumn tree care? The following article will help you keep your trees beautiful all year round. Preparing your trees for autumn protects them from too much stress brought on by the changing season. Ready? Let’s review.

Dormancy

Most deciduous trees survive colder months by entering a period of dormancy that’s similar to hibernation. Obviously, they can’t migrate like birds, so they developed a different strategy. During this time, certain trees spend less energy on growth and may even stop producing food.

Typically, evergreens don’t go completely dormant, and they don’t shed their foliage like deciduous species, but they also undergo changes.

Winter Drought

Summer is not the only time of year when a tree can get thirsty. Extreme winter temperatures and freezing winds cause trees to dry out. Remember, droughts can occur in winter, too. Occasional watering can make a difference, especially for younger trees.

Add Mulch

Composted organic mulch acts as a blanket of extra insulation for a tree’s roots during cold months. Place a layer of mulch under the tree during the fall to protect it from freezing temperatures. Another benefit of mulch is that it helps your tree retain water.

Avoid Broken Branches

Most of us don’t need to worry about snow in California, but extreme weather can cause branches to break. This is important to prevent, both for the health of your trees, as well as the safety of your home. Branches are heavier than they look and they can cause injury or property damage, particularly in high winds.

One option is to wrap young trees in metal hardware cloth, or a plastic guard. This helps to both secure and warm them.

Pruning

Pruning is an important part of autumn tree care. In fact, pruning promotes healthy growth in trees, and autumn is the perfect time for a little trim. Although, remember that each tree is different, so pruning should be adapted to the needs and specific structure of each tree. A professional arborist can prune your trees without injuring them.

The Best Time to Plant

Many people believe that autumn is a bad time to plant new trees because it’s the season when leaves fall and growth stagnates, but it’s just the opposite. Your new tree’s roots will have time to get established before the spring rains. It’s especially ideal for balled-and-burlapped trees.

Professional Autumn Tree Care

If you’re located in the Alamo area and need professional autumn tree care services, contact Sexy Trees at (925) 233-6877, or visit us online at getjobber.com to fill out a request form. Tell us about your availability and we will do our absolute best to accommodate.