Fall is a great time to begin prepping your yard for cold weather, ice, and snow. Your trees should be a priority at this time of year both for their health and for safety concerns, especially if summer storms have caused some damage.
Trees in urban and suburban areas are more prone to problems in part because the environment tends to provide less of what they need most—water. If your tree is stressed, you will notice it in dead and dying branches, which can become a hazard and lead to more tree damage during the winter months. Attentive watering and careful pruning in the fall can be a big help in getting your trees through the winter.
Water trees thoroughly
Instead of a sprinkler, use a hose on a slow trickle set in the root zone, not at the base of the tree. Identify two or three spots where you can set your hose and let it run for a couple hours, allowing the water to soak into the root system.
Water in the morning rather than warmer times of day so that less water evaporates. The soil should be moist but not soaked.
Prune your trees
Dead, dying or diseased branches are the first ones to fall in a storm or under the weight of ice or snow. Removing them now eliminates the hazard and prevents further damage to the tree. It also allows nutrients and moisture to feed the healthy portions of the tree.
Your local tree expert can provide proper pruning that gives your tree the best chance of reaching its maximum growth potential.
Cable trees to protect/save them
A tree that has been weakened or damaged in a storm is not necessarily lost. Cabling provides additional stability to the weakened or damaged portion of the tree so that it can continue to grow. Carefully placed cables anchor the weakened section to the stable portion of the tree so that it is able to support its weight and structure.
While unhealthy trees are not candidates for cabling, many trees can be saved with this procedure.
If you are looking for a tree professional to help you prepare your trees for winter with expert pruning and cabling services, contact Brush Bandit today, or click here for more information about tree, shrub, crane and bucket truck services.