There’s one thing on your to-do list that you couldn’t afford to neglect as winter approaches: tree care. Let’s face it. The trees in your yard need some TLC if you want to see them come back in all their glory in the spring.However, since most people are totally lost when it comes to preparing their trees for the chilly months ahead. Here’s what the experts at Trees of Georgia, a reputable North Fulton tree service, recommend for caring for your trees this fall.

Fertilize

If there’s one thing that can help improve your trees’ resistance against diseases, insects, and the harsh winter conditions, it would be proper fertilization. Going from one extreme temperature to another (summer to winter) inevitably causes the soil to leach nutrients which reduces the trees’ resistance to high-stress conditions.

While this would not be a problem for trees in natural forest environments due to the abundance of organic matter in such areas, the trees in our backyards are not as fortunate. As we constantly remove the dead leaves and twigs that fell from our trees to keep our yards immaculately clean and reduce the risk of disease and insect infestation, we unconsciously deny them of the nutrients that would have otherwise been absorbed by the roots.

The result? Trees with increased susceptibility to insects and diseases that are unable to reach their full landscape potential and a significantly reduced lifespan.

Can you do something about it? Absolutely! According to North Fulton tree service experts, you can negate these damaging effects and keep your trees healthy all year round by applying a good quality slow-release fertilizer.

Hydrate

Contrary to popular belief, trees need to be properly hydrated during the fall, and occasionally during the winter (when the soil is not frozen), since they are still susceptible to drought stress during this time of the year. Just because the weather isn’t scorching hot doesn’t mean that your trees don’t need watering. They do, and lots of it, to help them survive through the winter.

However, it is not enough to water them on the surface so using a sprinkler or wetting the foliage just wouldn’t do. You need to go deeper and focus on the critical root zone. You can do this through subsurface watering, a method where an injection probe is used to distribute enough water to the top 12 inches of soil, the area where moisture is most needed.

Mulch

Applying organic mulch on the base of the trees helps retain moisture and organic matter in the soil while protecting the roots from the damaging effects of extreme temperatures. This is particularly helpful for maintaining the health of younger and newly transplanted trees.

To get the most benefits from mulching, follow these recommendations from a qualified North Fulton tree service.

• Don’t apply too much mulch. It can deprive the tree of much-needed moisture (water can run off the sides of the mulch or get trapped in the mulch), suffocate the roots, and create an ideal breeding ground for rodents, pests, and diseases.
• Keep it away from the trunk. The mulch should be applied in a 2 to 3 feet radius around the tree at a depth of about two to four inches. For best results, keep the root flare zone visible.
• Avoid using fresh wood chips. Due to its highly acidic nature, this can be harmful to young trees.

Prune

Fall is the best time to prune your trees since it is easy see the tree structure due to the absence of leaves on the branches. Pruning can be extremely beneficial since it:

• Promotes better health. By removing infested or dead branches, you are effectively removing the cause of infestation and preventing further damage to the tree.
• Affects growth. Pruning works both ways. It can stimulate new growth while suppressing unwanted growth.
• Ensures safety. Regular pruning lowers the risk of falling branches from causing bodily harm to your family and damaging your property.

Trees of Georgia – The Most Reliable North Fulton Tree Service for Fall Tree Care

Your trees deserve some TLC to be able to brave the harsh winter. Well, that’s basically what Trees of Georgia is here for! We are a licensed and insured tree services company serving the Atlanta area since 2007.

We value quality, price, and customer service above all things. No wonder, the Better Business Bureau gave us an A+ rating. For a free estimate, reach out to us today by filling out the contact form on our website or you can call us at (770)882-4955.