The vibrant colors of falling leaves make autumn a gorgeous time of year, but just because the trees are preparing to rest during winter doesn’t mean we should stop taking care of them. In fact, fall is a key time in the life cycle of your trees and shrubs; a little extra care now can prepare them to face the winter and come back stronger than ever in the spring.
Read on to learn what a professional arborist can do to help your trees and shrubs survive and thrive year-round.
Benefits of Pruning Trees and Shrubs During Fall
Many people think of tree pruning as a spring activity, but fall is truly the ideal time to get started on this maintenance task. Trees and shrubs become dormant during the cooler months, meaning they’re reserving their resources to grow again once the weather warms up. Pruning during their dormant seasons makes it less stressful for the plants (yes, plants can experience stress too!) and encourages healthy growth in springtime.
Atlanta, GA winters often bring snow and ice that can be hazardous for weak or damaged branches. When ice and snow build up on these branches, they can break unexpectedly, causing damage to the plant and, potentially, your property. A professional arborist can check for these weak branches before problems arise; by pruning them away before the weather gets bad, you could save yourself a lot of trouble.
If you’re experiencing a tree emergency like a fallen limb, don’t hesitate to call us – we’re available 24/7 to help you handle it.
How Fall Fertilization Helps Your Plants
You’ve heard of animals storing food for the winter, but did you know that plants do something similar? While growth stops during the cold months, plants are always getting ready for the next growing season. That’s why slow-release fertilizer is a great way to help your plants stay healthy year-round. It can help your plants’ root systems get stronger and make it easier for them to stand up to winter.
Your shrub and tree fertilization needs will vary based on a variety of factors. These include the types of trees and shrubs in your yard, the amount of sunlight they get, the pH and nutrient levels in the soil, and much more. The best way to find out what your trees and shrubs need to get them through the cooler months is to consult with a tree expert from AKA Tree Service.
Fall Pest Control Tips
In Atlanta, GA, we have a number of pests and plant diseases that can cause trouble for your trees and shrubs at any time of year. Below are just a few that you might have to deal with:
- Southern pine beetle. As their name suggests, these beetles usually infest pine trees – and they can be a real hazard to them once established. If they latch on to a stressed or sick pine tree, they can kill it easily.
- Emerald ash borer. Another descriptive name here; emerald ash borers bore into ash trees as larvae and reemerge as adults, compromising the trees’ bark and opening them up to disease.
- Bagworm. These grub-like bugs are ravenously hungry for leaves – so much so that a group of them can easily eat enough leaves from a plant to kill it outright. They’re also hard to spot; they can easily be mistaken for pinecones.
While pests usually die off over the winter, their eggs will remain to take their place when the weather warms up. That’s where you can get ahead of them with a little preemptive pest control. For instance, you can use dormant oil sprays to ensure that those eggs don’t hatch in the first place. This minimizes the number of pests that will return in the spring.
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about raking your yard, but doing so can actually help prevent pests! Fallen leaves provide a great hiding spot for insects and rodents. By cleaning these leaves up, you can make your yard look tidy and remove pest harborage at the same time.
Tree and Shrub Winterization Tips
While you’re waiting for the pros to help with the heavy lifting, there are a few things that you can do to keep your trees healthy and give them a boost to get through the winter.
- Applying mulch: Mulch provides a layer of insulation that will protect the roots of your trees and shrubs from excessive cold while also keeping moisture nearby. Adding a layer of mulch (about 2-4 inches deep) is a great way to keep your plants healthy. Just leave a gap of a few inches around the base of the tree or shrub to let the roots breathe.
- Changing your watering schedule: Trees and shrubs still need water during cooler weather; they just need less. Water less frequently and use less water during fall, and stop watering when freezing temperatures set in. It’s also helpful to water before the sun rises to maximize the amount of water your trees and shrubs can get before it evaporates or freezes.
Count on AKA Tree Service for Healthy Trees Year-Round
People may not think of fall as an ideal time for tree and shrub care, but it’s an excellent time to lay the groundwork for a hardy and beautiful springtime. A little extra effort while the plants are dormant can pay off in a big way once the weather warms up again.
The AKA Tree Service team has been offering quality tree services since 2011 and we’re eager to put our skills to work for the Atlanta, GA community. As the weather cools, don’t forget about your trees and shrubs; to give your landscape the best chances during winter, count on us.
Give us a call today to set up a no-obligation consultation for your tree and shrub health!
