The cooler temperatures are beginning to settle in during the mornings and evenings here in East Tennessee. This can only mean one thing – that colorful fall foliage is almost upon us, and that football season is in full swing, too!
When it comes to maintaining one’s landscape, many homeowners tend only to be concerned with their lawn and trimming easy to reach bushes and shrubs. However, trees of all kind require maintenance and care to keep them healthy and to prevent damage from storms and severe weather.
Here is your fall tree care checklist from the pros.
Fertilization
The sweltering summer heat and cold winter will cause the soil to lose vital nutrients that trees need to remain healthy. To ensure your trees are healthy all summer long now is the time to apply a slow-release fertilizer to replenish lost nutrients. It will also help your trees become resistant to disease, stressful weather, and insects.
Hydration
The fall season is an ideal time to hydrate your trees. Thankfully, Tennessee is known for getting a good amount of rain during the fall. However, if the weather is not all that helpful in providing enough water, be sure to water the area around your trees to ensure they get enough water during this mild season. This will ensure that the tree roots remain hydrated during the freezing winter.
If you do not have an irrigation system, consider using the subsurface watering technique in which you use an injection probe to deliver the necessary amount of water to the roots of your trees. This method will also work for your small shrubs during seasons of little to no rain.
Plant wisely
We tend to think that all trees shed their leaves during the fall, and sprout new ones in the spring. However, fall is actually the best time to plant new trees. The cooler temperatures mean less stress from the sun, exposure to high temperatures or drought. During autumn weather, trees have a chance to develop their root mass in preparation for the winter season.
Be prepared for winter
The weather in Tennessee is known for being a little like Jekyll and Hyde. In other words, we could end up with a mild winter or wind up with several snow and ice storms – the latter being a concern for your trees. Now is the time to prepare for what could be a harsh winter. Go ahead and prepare your trees by protecting them from severe snow and ice that could cause rotten or broken branches to plummet. It is a good idea to hire a professional arborist to come and trim your trees now so that potentially damaging limbs can be removed before trouble starts. Some trees may need to be braced in order for them to withstand severe winter weather.
Promier Tree has arborists on staff with all the training and experience to handle any tree-related issue or emergency you might experience. We can have your trees ready for the upcoming winter to ensure the safety of your property and your home. Schedule an initial consultation today by calling our office at (423) 872-2988.
Promier Tree serves the areas of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, TN.