Fall Tree Care Checklist: Set Your Trees Up For Winter Success

As summer comes to an end, fall tree care becomes an important part of preparing your trees for cooler temperatures, strong winds, heavy rain, and winter storms. Fall is a great time for homeowners throughout the Fraser Valley to check their trees and address potential issues before winter arrives. 

If you’re preparing your trees for winter, here are a few fall care tasks to add to your checklist. 

Inspect Your Trees: Take a walk around your property and look for:

• Cracks or splits.

• Signs of disease or decay.

• Broken or dead branches.

• Hanging limbs.

• Branches growing too close to power lines or buildings. 

• Changes in the tree’s lean.

• Damaged or exposed roots.

Checking for potential hazards before winter storms can help reduce risks of property damage or injuries.

Evaluate Your Tree Pruning Needs This Fall: Once leaves begin to fall, your tree’s structure becomes easier to see. Check for dead or crossing branches, as well as damaged limbs that may need to be pruned. Learn more about our tree pruning services.

Not every tree needs to be pruned in fall, so it’s important to consider the tree’s species, condition, and reason for pruning. A professional arborist can recommend the appropriate approach and timing for each tree.

Check Your Tree’s Soil: Healthy roots are essential for healthy trees. After a dry summer, check for compaction, dryness around your tree, exposed roots, or drainage issues. Water deeply if needed, directing the moisture throughout the root zone instead of directly at the trunk.

Refresh Your Mulch: Adding organic mulch around the root zone can help to retain moisture and protect the soil from temperature changes. Be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk and avoid piling it up against the tree.

Check Young Trees: Young or newly planted trees may need extra attention and care before winter. Check their supports, moisture levels, mulch, ties, and overall condition. 

Prepare Your Trees Before Winter Arrives

A little fall care now can help keep your trees healthy and reduce potential risks throughout winter.

If you’re concerned about a tree on your property or aren’t sure whether it needs pruning or further assessment, TreeArb is here to help. 

Contact TreeArb today to have your trees assessed and get professional recommendations for preparing them for winter. 

TreeArb – Professional Arborist Services in the Fraser Valley