At long last, it’s spring! Many of us have eagerly awaited the growing season, especially over the long, cold winter months. If you’re ready to get your yard ready for warmer days, this guide is for you.

Know your zone

Let’s start with a note about spring in the Midwest: as you probably already know, it can be fickle. It’s essential to know your planting zone. The US Department of Agriculture created a 13-zone Hardiness Zone Map, which helps to guide gardeners and plant professionals on when and what to plant based on where they live. Most of Northern Illinois is Zone 5B, with a frost-free date of May 1-10 and a first frost date of September 21-30. These are averages, so it’s also wise to check the Illinois Water Survey’s map of the latest spring frost dates. (Not in Illinois? Check the Hardiness Zone Map above).

Spring tree care tips

Have trees on your property? They are already starting to come out of dormancy if they are deciduous (or lose their leaves each fall). This starts as early as February, as the trees prepare for the growing season ahead. You’ll first notice small buds, then early leaf growth, and then (typically in later April and early May) the trees in full flower. 

Early spring is a great time to check on tree health with these tips: 

• Inspect your trees before they leaf out. Look for cracked, broken, or diseased branches—and prune them to protect your trees and property. 
• Were any of your trees damaged by winter storms, snow, or ice? If so, early spring is a good time to remove them. Contact a certified arborist and tree care professionals. 
• Adding to your landscape? Make plans to plant new trees on your property once weather permits, to give young trees time to grow and establish a strong root system
  

Fun fact: this year, Arbor Day is celebrated on Friday, April 28.  

Spring lawn care tips

Early spring is the ideal time to give your lawn a strong start to the season. Take the time to give your mower a tune-up if it has been sitting in the garage over the winter. 

A solid spring lawn care checklist includes: 

• Clean-up, raking, and evaluating bare patches
• Preparing and seeding the soil to address bare spots
• Mow high early to give grass time to establish a healthy root system 
• Fertilize at the time of the first mowing, and consider applying a 3-in-1 turf builder to control weed growth

See this article for more details on spring lawn care.

Spring garden tips

Do you have flowerbeds? Plant a vegetable garden or patio containers? You’ll want to make time to prepare these as well. 

After a long winter, you might need to edge and clean up your flowerbeds, and it’s easiest to do this when the soil is soft in the spring. Use a sharp-edged garden spade to redefine the borders. Examine perennials and shrubs for signs of damage over the winter. Apply mulch to a depth of 1-3” around the base of perennials and shrubs—but not on top of them. Be sure to include your trees in mulching too—but don’t pile mulch around the bark itself. Leave a couple of inches for the tree to breathe. Mulch suppresses weed growth and helps plants and trees retain moisture better in the hot months ahead.

For vegetable gardens, turn over the soil in early spring and consider adding enhancements like compost and manure. Cold-tolerant vegetables like carrots, lettuce, and beets can be sowed directly in the soil, even before the last frost date. For flowering plants like tomatoes and peppers, and most cutting flowers, wait until after the last frost date has passed. Containers can be planted and brought into the garage or other warmer zone during frost warnings. 

Spring houseplant care tips

Even your houseplants benefit from some spring plant care. Though they haven’t braved the outdoor extremes that many plants have, they have gone through a period of dormancy. Longer days and more hours of sunshine mean it’s time to up your watering frequency. Plants that have spent the summer on your windowsill might need to be moved away from direct sunlight so that their leaves don’t become yellowed or burnt. And just as you like turning your face up to the first warm rays, your houseplants do, too—so make plans to take them outside when it’s warm enough to do so. 

Looking to get your yard ready for spring? Advanced Tree Care 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 also our purpose!

 

Tree Care Services for Homeowners

Most homeowners want only the best for their property—and we understand. You want the lush lawn, the fresh coat of paint, the flowers in the window boxes and the sparkling holiday lights. You’re willing to do what it takes to keep your home looking great. Don’t overlook tree care. Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or in your first home, there is a lot you can (and should) do to take care of the trees on your property. Advanced Tree Care can help with our residential tree care services!

A Homeowner’s Guide to Tree Care

Many homeowners don’t know how to properly care for the trees on their property—but not you, because you’re reading this. Here are our top five homeowner tips for tree care:

• Water your trees. This is the #1 most overlooked aspect of tree care. Young and mature trees require regular watering with a low drip or sprinkler near the root line.
• Prune but don’t overprune or top your trees. It’s difficult for trees to recover. In addition, some types of trees should only be pruned during the dormant season (winter).
• Remove dead or damaged trees right away. They’re a hazard.
• Anticipate the size of a mature tree when planting. Don’t plant too close to your home, garage, or utility poles or wires.
• Consider cabling trees with two or more branches.

When to Call a Professional Tree Service

Wondering when (or if) to call Advanced Tree Care? Tree care is a science, and experts can mean the difference in the health and beauty of your property. You’ll want to call us for:

• Tree removal
• Damaged or broken branches
• Pruning or cabling
• Symptoms of damage or disease, including fungus or mushroom, blemishes, or insect damage and more
• Planting and property management planning

Residential Tree Care Services

We offer a wide variety of residential tree services to help homeowners like you care for your trees. These include:

Pruning

Pruning produces strong, healthy, and attractive trees. Pruning trees properly requires an artist’s touch and a scientist’s mind, which is why our arborist chooses the best pruning methods for your specific trees. Pruning can stimulate proper growth as well as address health and safety concerns—for the tree, and for your property. Advanced Tree Care professionals conduct all types of pruning: Class 1 – fine pruning, Class 2 – general pruning, and Class 3 – safety pruning.

Tree removal

Tree removal can be dangerous and requires expert planning and execution. There are many reasons for tree removal, from storm- or wind-damaged trees to planned removal for construction or property maintenance. Our arborist and expert staff will assess the tree and your property to create a specific plan for removal, including full site cleanup.

Stump removal

After a tree or shrub has been removed, the stump is left behind. Stump grinding is the most effective, efficient way to remove the remaining portion of the plant. Our professional staff will determine which of the five available stump grinding options is best for your needs, including recommendations for backfill, seeding, and more.

Maintenance programs

Periodic care and monitoring of the trees on your property can enhance their beauty and extend their lives. Advanced Tree Care offers a range of maintenance programs ranging from weekly to annual, including managing catastrophic events like the aftereffects of storm damage. Our regular plans include pruning, spring and fall cleanup, and more. We can work with you to determine the best plan for your needs and budget.

Land clearing and restoration

Whether you’re building to suit or your property needs a fresh start, Advanced Tree Care can help. Clearing, planning, permitting, scheduling, and installation are our specialties, and we can help you from start to finish. All land clearing and restoration plans begin with a free consultation.

Tree inventory and evaluation

Do you know everything you need to know about the trees on your property? Species, condition, lifecycle, condition, and whether they are native or invasive? A tree inventory can provide this information and establish a basis for monitoring tree health. Our inventories include identification, location, and assessment on a standard grading system for every tree on your property.

Advanced Thermal Tree Imaging

Using the latest technology, we can see tree health in a new light. Our forward-looking infrared cameras (FLIR) see beyond the normal spectrum of human vision to identify areas of concern and proactively manage tree care. FLIR cameras make advanced tree maintenance easier and more cost-effective.

Protect the investment you’ve made in your property with expert service from Advanced Tree Care. Whatever you need, 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 also our purpose!

 

When winter arrives, your trees still need care. Although trees are dormant this time of year, what you do can help to protect them from snow, ice, and cold temperatures. Here are some winter tree care tips to help you this season.

Water until the soil freezes

Just because the warmest days of the year are behind us doesn’t mean you should stop watering. Fall can, in fact, be a dry season. What’s more, trees’ roots continue to grow and require water and nutrients until the ground freezes. One winter tree care tip we have is to water your trees throughout the fall and early winter until the ground fully freezes. In our area, this can be as late as the end of December.

Newly planted or young trees that still have a small root mass especially need continued watering. And, when it comes to watering, go for low and slow so that you deliver the water directly down to the tree’s root zone. How often and how long you should water depends on tree species, soil type, and our weather conditions. You can check the soil and your tree’s foliage to determine if your tree is over- or under-watered, or you can consult one of our experts for guidance.

Add mulch for protection

Before the heavy snows and ice arrive, mulch around each tree with two to four inches of wood chips, bark, or other organic material. This mulch insulates against temperature extremes while also nourishing the soil and preserving moisture levels. Be sure to keep the mulch layer at least three inches away from the base of the tree trunk to allow the tree to properly breathe. Mulch also helps to hold in moisture, from watering, rains, or melting snows.

Prune in winter

Winter is an ideal time to prune because trees are dormant. Pruning can help the health and
shape of your trees, and it can also reduce the risk of damage to the tree from a winter
snowstorm or ice storm. Pruning cuts should be left uncovered, and proper pruning cuts should
be made just outside the branch collar. Advanced Tree Care’s arborist and professional staff can
help with proper pruning of your trees and shrubs, including identifying which types of trees
can only be pruned during dormancy.

Prune, cable, or brace branches

Winter snow and ice can weigh tree branches down, stressing weak branches. If tree branches are close to your house, driveway, or sidewalks, err on the side of protecting your property. Consult with Advanced Tree Care on pruning, cabling, or bracing these branches to prevent damage. In addition, avoid parking under or near branches that are heavily laden with snow or ice. Falling branches cause a lot of damage.

Don’t shake

Trees and branches can sag under the weight of winter’s snow and ice. While it’s tempting to shake off your trees or branches after a heavy snow, resist doing so. You can damage your trees, contributing to weak spots or breakage.

Hold the salt

Heavy winter road salting can take its tolls on trees, especially those on parkways or near driveways. This is where plowed snow accumulates, and as it melts, the salt seeps into the soil and the tree’s root system.

You can protect these trees by moving some of the salted snow and distributing it more fully around your yard. You can also help these trees once winter is over by watering them thoroughly. Watering them helps to reduce the salt accumulated in the soil and lessen any damage.

Protect from rodents and deer

Hungry animals might turn to tree bark and branches when foraging in the lean winter months gets tough. Discourage nibblers with rabbit or deer fencing if you notice signs of damage on bark. Sometimes, mice can also take up residence in deep mulch around the tree base, so be sure that mulch is at least three inches from the base.

Tips for newly planted trees

Stakes or ties can provide some stability for newly established trees, but these items should be removed in winter. Trees will establish more quickly and develop stronger trunk and root tissue without these aids. Many trees, though, especially those that lose their leaves and have thin bark (like Japanese maples) can benefit from tree wrapping. This thin plastic layer protects trees from cold temperatures and sunscald, which is when warm winter sun heats up bark for a short time before temps drop back down at night or in stormy weather. If you have evergreen or arborvitae trees, you should wrap these in burlap, especially if fully exposed to the wind or went through a drought in the warm season. Advanced Tree Care can help with winter tree care, including preparing your young trees for the season.

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 also our purpose!