It’s beginning to look a lot like spring. After the long winter months, your trees are awakening from their dormant stage and starting a new growing season. You can help your trees thrive by working your way through this springtime tree maintenance checklist.
Clean up
Winter is a messy season. As the snow melts and the sun warms, you will find leftover debris from winter storms, ice, and snow. Clear the ground around the base of your trees by removing fallen sticks, scattered mulch, piled leaves, and anything else left behind. Not only will this make your next steps easier, but it will also protect your tree from pests, fungal growth, and more.
Prune
Pruning is a vital part of tree maintenance. The ideal time to prune your trees is February to March while your trees are still dormant or just starting to wake up. The lack of foliage will make pruning much easier, and you can maximize the growing season for your trees by pruning damaged, diseased, or poorly growing limbs and branches. Consult a licensed arborist if you need further information, or hire a professional tree care service near you to handle larger pruning jobs safely.
Water
Your trees may be dehydrated after the long and dry winter. Watering your trees at the beginning of spring can jumpstart their growth as they wake up from dormancy. For newly planted or still-growing trees, deep watering is essential for establishing a strong root system, but even mature trees can be dried out and need watering. You want to water specifically on the tree’s root zone, so the water gets down to the thirsty roots and soaks in.
Fertilize
Everyone needs a good meal after a long nap, and your trees are no different. Fertilizing your trees in the early springtime gives them essential nutrients needed for healthy growth. Research the best fertilizers for your tree type and how much fertilizer to put on (an over-abundance of nutrients can be harmful).
Mulch
Protect your tree’s roots and trunk with a fresh layer of mulch spread a few inches out from the base of the trunk. Leaving a few inches of space between your layer of mulch and your tree trunk will prevent trapped moisture from creating fungus and rot and discourage rodents from building nests at the base of your tree and chewing on the bark. The layer of mulch will hold in moisture, regulate the ground temperature, and prevent weed growth.
Support
Springtime comes with thunderstorms and heavy winds. A more mature tree with deeper roots can withstand much higher winds than a young tree. Support your tree with two small stakes driven into the ground opposite each other (at least a foot and a half away from the trunk) and secure your tree to the stakes with soft canvas strips or tree staking strips. Do not tie the strips too tightly; leave space for the trunk to grow.
Pest control
Insects (such as carpenter ants) and rodents can damage your tree, leaving it weak and vulnerable to disease and fungus. Keeping your tree clear from ground foliage, wood piles, and mulch laid up to the very base of the trunk will discourage pests from setting up shop by your tree. You can also apply natural pest repellents such as soap spray, horticultural oils, diatomaceous earth, and other things to protect your tree from insects and rodents. Always thoroughly research what products are safe for your trees.
In addition to the rest of this checklist, be sure any irrigation or watering systems you have put in place in your yard are working and ready for the busy growing season, as too much or too little water can damage your trees.
Spring is an exciting time for your trees—follow this springtime tree maintenance checklist and help your trees thrive!
Looking for guidance on preparing your trees for springtime? We can help. Advanced Tree Care combines top-notch equipment, cutting-edge technology, and well-trained staff to provide emergency tree removal and tree maintenance services. With a presence in nine counties and two states, we work daily to provide unparalleled customer service, safety, and efficiency—as well as the expertise to beautify your landscaping and community. Advanced Tree Care isn’t just our name—it’s our purpose!