Essential Fall Tree Care Tips Before Winter Hits
Happy Holidays from A1 Tree Pros to you and yours!!! We have been super busy winterizing and performing Plant Health Care in Potomac Md area for the past 8 weeks. So please pardon the late post.
We’ve seen a lot of trees this fall that looked “fine” from the street but had hidden issues once the leaves dropped — cracks, deadwood, and old storm damage that would’ve been missed in summer.
Fall is our FAVORITE time of year for tree pruning in Potomac, MD. Once leaves begin to drop, it’s much easier to see a tree’s structure and identify crossing, damaged, or weakened branches.
What We Commonly See Missed in Fall.....
Old storm damage that never healed
Deadwood hidden by summer foliage
Soil that’s already dry heading into winte
1. Inspect Your Trees For Trouble Spots
Take a walk around your property and look for branches that hang too close to your roof, driveway, or power lines. Be on the look out for cracks, dead limbs, or signs of decay at the base of the trunk. These weak spots can easily break under the weight of ice or heavy snow, and even a windstorm.
In areas like Potomac, where we see mature trees near homes, driveways, and power lines, winter storms don’t need to be extreme to cause damage — even moderate wind and ice can expose weak limbs.
Weak spots can let in unwanted pests and disease. It's best to get these spots taken care of while they’re easy to visualize to prevent any further unwanted damage to the tree. The fix can be as easy as a pruning or addressing these issues early — often with proper pruning or corrective care — helps prevent bigger problems down the road. Both your wallet and your tree will thank yourself later on for preventing a larger problems from taking hold.
2. Schedule a Late-Season Prune
Fall is one of the best times to prune. By scheduling a late season pruning, were giving the tree more time to heal effectively. Trees in dormancy are not actively growing. Meaning they are able to direct more energy and focus on healing.
Many pests and disease pathogens are what’s considered “inactive” during the winter months. Pruning now reduces the risk of infection on your tree.
3. Mulch and Water Before the Freeze
Trees mature or not, still need moisture going into winter. Be sure to give them a deep watering at the base of their trunk before the ground freezes. A deep watering doesn’t have to be complicated — even five minutes once or twice a week at the base of the tree can make a difference before the ground freezes.
Add a layer of mulch- about two to three inches- around the base of the tree to help the roots stay insulated and retain moisture. We like to think of mulch as a cozy blanket for the tree’s roots during winter — just not too thick. Too much mulch can actually prevent water from reaching the root system.lower trunk and roots during the winter months. Not too much though. Too much mulch prevents water from being absorbed into the root system and penetrating through all of the mulch.
4. Protect Young or Sensitive Trees
If you’ve recently planted new trees within the past year, consider wrapping their trunks with burlap or tree wrap. This helps prevent sun scald and damage from fluctuating winter temperatures. By preventing damage you’re also preventing having to remove and replace these trees come spring time. Following these precautions not only protects and saves the tree, but also your wallet in the long run.
Deer and rodents are also more likely to chew on bark when their food is scarce, protection will help with that as well.
5. Plan Ahead for Winter Weather
Strong wind and ice can take down branches quickly. Which is why we encourage homeowners and commercial properties alike to consider tree pruning in Potomac Md every few years. If you're unsure about the safety or stability of a tree, a great place to start is to have it inspected by a certified arborist. A quick look now can save you from costly damage or potentially dangerous situations later on.
Final Thoughts:
Most of the spring decline we see actually starts months earlier, during fall and winter. Although the fast pace of everyday makes this easier said than done paying a little attention now goes a long way. Fall is the perfect time to give your trees a little TLC before the cold sets in. A few preventive steps can keep them healthy, your property safe, and your landscape looking great come spring time. Happy Holidays to all you LOVELY PEOPLE!!