Around this time of the year, trees signal their changes. Many tree types drop leaves as the temperature cools and they prepare to go dormant. This process is completely natural, but some other indications aren’t. Autumn is also the time to think about winterizing your trees. There are several issues concerning your trees that you should take into consideration.
Is One of Your Trees Getting Sick?
Diseases may grip your trees as the weather changes from summer to fall. Many diseases, such as leaf spot, root rot, and powdery mildew, love colder and wetter weather. A healthy tree may become stressed or weak, and an ailing tree could die.
Wind and Frost Damage
Wind storms are dangerous even to healthy trees, and fall tends to have strong winds. Severe gusts can break branches or uproot trees, and weak trees may topple over completely. A cold snap is dangerous to trees because frost may kill leaves, branches, or even an entire tree.
Loss of Nutrients in the Soil
Trees in a forest grow using the nutrients of fallen leaves and other organic material in the soil. Your lawn probably lacks these. As the weather changes, your trees will need some missing nutrients to get through winter. Arborists can add a slow-release fertilizer during fall to keep trees strong during the cold season.
Changing Mulch Before the Weather Cools
Organic mulch can help your trees gain extra nutrients. Mulch also makes your soil more resilient by conserving moisture and controlling the temperature. Usually composed of straw, wood chips, or something similar, organic mulch should not be placed directly against the tree.
Reduced Water Requirements
An irrigation system helps keep trees green and healthy during summer, but the weather starts cooling around fall. As trees drop leaves and go dormant, you won’t need to give them as much water. It’s better to turn off irrigation for the winter so your soil doesn’t flood and create root disease.
Inspecting Branches to Trim
Our arborists can inspect your trees during fall to check for problematic areas that could get worse during winter. Trimming trees shapes them and prevents lifeless branches from breaking off during snow. Cracked or diseased limbs should be cut close to the trunk to allow the wounds to heal faster.
Fall is the perfect time to check your trees for disease or pests and inspect them for trouble spots. Our arborists can help with pest control and more to prepare your landscaping for winter. If you have any tree concerns this fall in Santa Barbara, CA, you can rely on us at Economy Tree, Inc. for 24/7 emergency tree service and a full range of other options, so call us today.
