Spring Tree Care – Tips and Hacks

Spring is a much-awaited season for most homeowners. It signifies the end of a long and harsh winter for you and any trees in your yard. However, over the long winter, the condition of your trees might have taken a hit. Therefore, some spring tree care and TLC are much required to prepare them for the season. Local tree care experts can help get your trees get back to their glorious selves with their professional spring tree service.

Vital Tips and Hacks for Trees in Spring

Pay attention to the overall health of your trees.

The first thing you must do when spring starts is to inspect your tree visually. By looking for any signs of damage or disease that the tree may have developed over the winter, you can make an assessment of whether it needs professional help. Typically, a healthy tree will spring new flowers and grow fresh leaves during spring. If you do not notice these signs of growth, there could be something wrong with the tree, especially if the top of the tree looks less dense than the rest of it.

Check your tree for pests.

Every tree has a different requirement, and every location has a varying climate. This is why it is paramount to seek a local arborist’s expert opinion to better understand which pests you should look out for. Some insects that live on your trees can cause severe health issues for you and your family. Oak Processionary moths are hazardous pests that can cause rashes and respiratory problems. Although most of these pests, like aphids and spider mites, can be eradicated using controlled blasts of pressurized water through a garden hose, you should not ignore the leaves and bark as they can be home to common tree fungi.

Keep the surroundings of your tree clean.

A general rule to keep your trees healthy is to clean their surroundings. Weeding the ground around your trees and getting rid of any debris, like fallen leaves and fruit, can help improve the overall health of your trees. Doing so also allows you to get rid of any competing plants like ivy that can hide decay and collect moisture near the tree’s root crown, further encouraging fungal growth and diseases on your tree.

Prune all the dead branches.

It is no surprise to homeowners that some branches die over the course of a cold winter. The best way to deal with dead branches is to prune them immediacalltoy to encourage further growth. Pruning can also be done to remove hazardous or problematic branches to help grow fruits. Some trees benefit significantly from pruning, like willow and cherry blossom. However, pruning is best left to the professionals as there are specific rules to keep in mind, like not pruning more than 25% of the total foliage and the use of proper pruning equipment.

Keep your trees hydrated.

Over the course of winter, the trees in your yard can grow accustomed to getting more water. When spring starts, it is crucial to water the soil around your trees with infrequent soaking. Additionally, you can check the moisture levels in the soul once every week. However, you must conduct this check on soil that is about 4 to 6 inches below the surface, and the soil must be moist, not wet.

Check and restock on mulch.

Mulch is a necessity for trees to grow. It helps the soul retain moisture and resist the growth of weeds. This makes mulch a mandatory requirement for young trees. As a general rule of thumb, fresh mulch must be applied up to 3 to 5 inches, about 2 to 3 inches away from the tree’s base. The mulch should not touch the tree’s base as it can encourage fungal growth on the tree.

Replenish and add fertilizer

Adding a slow-release fertilizer is a vital part of spring tree care. This should be done for trees and shrubs before they enter their peak growing season. Adding slow-release fertilizer allows the nutrients to be restored and protects the plants from several diseases, insects, and even additional stress while boosting the soil’s overall health.

Plant more trees in your yard

If you want to enhance the look of your yard further, you should consider planting new trees. Spring is the season for trees to grow, but you must ensure that the trees you pick are native to your area and suited to grow in your climate. If the weather tends to get quite hot in your region, it is wise to plant your trees as early as possible, so they can grow roots before the climate starts becoming hotter.

The Bottom Line

Taking care of your trees is a responsibility and a matter of pride among American homeowners. However, the best way to get your trees up to speed this coming spring is to hire a professional tree company and its services for best-in-class spring tree care.