Fall is one of the most beautiful time for trees. However, according to a Seattle arborist, is is also one of the most important times when it comes to making sure your tree stays healthy throughout the long winter.
- Prune – Pruning your tree is an important part of your tree’s survival throughout the winter. Dead branches and bark that are touching the ground (or will touch the ground when covered with snow)0 should be removed in addition to any new sprouts, stems or branches at the base of the tree. However, new growth up higher in the tree should be preserved. If you have any large branches that are dead, but too high to reach, or hanging over your house it is a good idea to have a professional arborist Seattle come and prune these parts for you. It is always a good idea to consult with an arborist prior to pruning your trees in order to make sure you are pruning properly and not leaving any of the central hardwood core exposed throughout the long winter.
- Water – Early on in the fall do not water your trees frequently. You want to prevent new growth which will not have time to harden off before winter. However, once the leaves have fallen from the tree, give it a deep watering (so it reaches the bottom roots). This will help minimize the damage to the tree as it faces the long winter drought.
- Fertilize – It is a good idea to give your tree extra nutrients during the fall in order to help keep it healthy throughout the winter. A sure sign that your tree probably needs fertilization is yellow or pale leaves, changing leaves earlier than usual during the season, wilting, or reduced growth in branches and leaves. However, you need to be very careful about the balance of nutrients that you tree receives and know when (and how) to go about fertilizing. It is best to hire a professional arborist to do the job.
For a complete arborist report Seattle visit CertifiedArboristTreeCare.com
Further reading: Three Tips for Hiring a Seattle Arborist
