Winter may seem like a time to let your trees rest before spring’s new growth takes hold. However, it’s the perfect time to evaluate your tree-care goals for the next year. Winter is when you can see the whole branch structure in canopies of deciduous trees because the leaves are gone. But before you rush to prune and trim, call a tree service to make the whole job a lot safer for you and your family.
Prune Damaged Branches
First and foremost, identify damaged and diseased branches and have a tree service remove them. Those are safety risks, and they need to go as soon as possible. All it really takes is one storm or a day of very strong winds to knock some of those branches down.
Is this something you can do yourself? Unless you’re very knowledgeable about tree care, it’s not a good idea. Some of these branches are going to be toward the top of the tree or in another location that requires a tall ladder. That’s dangerous for you, and a tree service crew has the equipment to do the job safely.
Now’s a Good Time for Shaping
Once the damaged branches are gone, take a good look at the shape of the tree canopy. Look for areas where branches and twigs are growing back into the center of the canopy and where old growth is making the canopy’s outline look messy.
Have a tree service trim those messy branches to clean up the canopy’s shape. Have the service prune away those extra interior branches and twigs, too, so that air can flow freely throughout the canopy. A dense canopy can create a humid, stagnant microclimate in its interior. You’ll reduce the risk of fungal infections attacking the tree because the flowing air will help dry out the canopy’s interior.
Plan for More Mulch
If you normally keep mulch around the bases of the trees, you should ideally replace it in spring and fall. Spring mulch helps suppress weeds, while fall mulch helps protect roots from cold temperatures. However, if you didn’t replace old mulch in the fall, you may want to do that now. Then, replace it again with dry mulch once spring arrives.
Watch Carefully for Weeds Near Roots
As winter goes by and spring weather starts to take hold, watch the ground around the trees carefully. Look for any signs of weeds or sprouts that could take valuable nutritional and water resources away from the trunks. If you haven’t already put down new mulch, do so.
If you’ve opted to avoid mulch, however, you’ll need to continue to monitor the areas around tree roots and trunks for new weeds. Remember that weed seeds sometimes arrive via wind as well as via the soles of your shoes. That means that you might clear out one round of weeds only to find more a couple of weeks later if you aren’t vigilant.
Willow Tree & Landscaping can help you with your tree-care growth goals for the year. If you have trees in Hatboro, PA, that need trimming or any other services, call us now to set up an appointment.