As fall settles in, now is the right time to prepare your trees for the chillier months ahead. Proper plant health care and planning ensures that your trees are not just surviving, but thriving through harsh winters.
Here is our list of essential tree care to-dos that should be on your checklist this fall.
Water Your Trees
As summer fades, it’s easy to overlook the need to water your trees. However, after a dry and drought-stricken summer, fall watering becomes vital. Proper hydration helps trees recover from the heat and stress, while also preparing them for the upcoming winter.
How Does A Drought Affect Your Trees?
Dry seasons, like this past summer in Ohio, place extra stress on trees, especially evergreens and younger trees. These vulnerable trees often struggle more during droughts, leaving them at risk for the cold months ahead.
To reduce stress on your trees, stick to a consistent watering schedule throughout the summer. If your trees are showing signs of drought stress, make watering them a priority this fall before winter sets in.
Clean Up Your Trees
Fallen leaves create a moist and sheltered habitat for pests, insects, and rodents — a group you do not want sticking around near your trees’ roots through the winter months. Removing leaves and debris around the base of trees helps prevent the spread of diseases, as infected leaves can harbor pathogens that may affect new growth in the coming year.
Once you’ve cleared the leaves, don’t forget to prepare your trees structurally. Winter’s snow and ice can damage branches, so pruning ahead of time reduces the risk of breakage. Pruning also ensures that the remaining branches are strong enough to withstand harsh winter conditions.
Think Through Your Fallen Leaf Plan
As the trees start to change colors, it’s time to consider how you plan to dispose of the fallen leaves and if you plan to leave any until spring. This decision typically comes down to personal preference, but choosing the “lazy” option may be best for the environment.
While it seems counterintuitive, leaving parts of your yard covered in leaves away from the base of your trees helps protect species that need shelter for the winter. These insects, known as overwintering species, include bees, stick bugs, and other critters that find refuge in leaf litter, logs, and tree bark. If you choose to leave leaves in place, make sure not to clean up your yard until multiple days of 50°F weather have passed, as this signals a safe time for these creatures to emerge.
Disposing of Leaves Properly
If you do decide to clean up, plan how to dispose of the leaves. Yard litter, such as leaves and fallen branches, can offer valuable nutrients when added to a compost pile. If you don’t have your own, check out local resources for city yard waste removal. Many cities, like Columbus, have designated yard waste collection days to recycle these natural materials. Be sure to check your city’s guidelines on what can be collected and what should be left out.
Build Your Custom Care Checklist
Implementing these tips into your arbor care will sustain the health and longevity of your trees, especially as we head into the end of the year the fall season.
At Ahlum & Abhor, We are committed to helping your trees thrive year-round, so they remain strong and vibrant for years to come. At our core, we are tree doctors, not tree huggers. Our years of expertise help us provide comprehensive care, from proper watering and root maintenance to targeted fall cleanup and addressing drought impacts. Contact our team to begin your personalized care for your trees this fall.