Summer is finally winding down and the temperatures are starting to drop. You might think that you can finally stop worrying about your trees; however, that's not actually the case. In fact, now that the temperatures are starting to drop, you need to worry about your trees even more. This is particularly true if you've endured a long, hot summer. Without careful preparation, your trees might not have the strength to survive a long, cold winter. Here are some tips that will help you care for your trees.
Provide Natural Air Conditioning
If you're still expecting a few more hot days, now's the time to provide your trees with some natural air conditioning, especially around the roots. If your roots go from extreme heat, straight into extreme cold, the shock could destroy them. To help provide your trees with a smooth transition from summer to winter, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base. The mulch will provide a source of natural air conditioning that will cool down your roots and prepare them for the change in soil temperature.
Add Plenty of Extra Fertilizer
If summer has been particularly hot in your area, your trees may have depleted their source of nutrients found in the soil. That's because extreme temperatures require trees to increase their need for nutrients. The cold weather that comes with winter means that your trees will continue to require additional nutrients. Unfortunately, if your trees already depleted the soil of essential nutrients, there won't be enough to get them through the winter. To make sure your trees have enough available nutrients for the long winter, add plenty of extra fertilizer before the cold weather officially arrives.
Get Water Down to the Roots
If you water your trees the same way you water your grass – short, focused bursts, several times a week – you might be missing the mark. Trees consume moisture through their roots, which means they need deep watering. To make sure your trees have plenty of moisture to begin the winter, make sure you get water all the way down to the roots. Using a broom handle, make several 12" deep holes around the base of your tree. Follow that with an extended period of watering – usually 10 to 15 minutes per tree will suffice. The holes will allow water to seep straight down to the roots. Do this several time prior to the arrival of winter.
Schedule a Tree Care Appointment
If you want to make sure that your trees have everything they need to survive the changes that are about to occur, now's the time to schedule an appointment with your tree care specialist. A tree care company can provide your trees with the care they'll need once the cold weather arrives.
After thinking about how to keep some of the flowers in my yard alive, it occurred to me that we had some real problems on our hands. For starters, we had a bunch of overgrown trees that needed to be dealt with. The second thing we had to take care of was the fact that we were really behind on basic yard care. I started talking with friends and neighbors about what they did to make things better, and they recommended a local tree service company. After they came out and made some changes, my yard was gorgeous. Learn more about tree care on my blog.