Fall is one of the most important times to give your trees the care they need to stay strong and healthy through winter.
As the leaves start to turn and temperatures begin to drop, it’s the perfect time to prepare your trees for the colder months ahead. While many homeowners assume trees don’t need much attention in autumn, the opposite is true. Fall is one of the most important times to give your trees the care they need to stay strong and healthy through winter.
If you’re wondering how to take care of your trees during the fall, here are a few smart, effective ways to protect your landscape and ensure your trees thrive year after year.
Fertilize Your Trees Before Winter
The winter months can take a serious toll on your trees. Cold weather, dry air, and frozen soil can all limit nutrient absorption, leaving your trees vulnerable to damage. That’s why fall fertilization is one of the best steps you can take to strengthen them before the cold sets in.
Most trees rely on a steady supply of nutrients to stay healthy. However, the trees in your yard often face high-stress conditions—they’re exposed to construction, compacted soil, limited growing space, and even physical damage from vehicles or landscaping equipment. Because of these challenges, your trees may not be getting the moisture and nutrients they need naturally.
Applying a slow-release fertilizer in the fall helps replenish the soil, providing your trees with the essential nutrients they need to survive the winter and flourish in spring. A certified arborist can help you choose the right fertilizer blend and apply it safely to promote root growth and overall vitality.
Raking & Mulching: Protect the Roots and Prevent Disease
Another important way to take care of your trees during the fall is to keep up with raking and mulching. While colorful fall leaves look beautiful, they can quickly become a problem if left to pile up around your trees. Fallen leaves often carry fungi and diseases that can spread to your trees, especially in damp, cool conditions.
To protect your trees, rake and remove leaves regularly from the base of your trees. This prevents fungal infections and keeps your yard clean and healthy.
After raking, apply a layer of mulch around the base of each tree, but be careful not to let the mulch touch the trunk directly. Mulching helps your trees by:
- Retaining soil moisture
- Regulating soil temperature
- Reducing weed growth
- Providing essential nutrients as the mulch decomposes
A fresh layer of mulch acts like an insulating blanket, helping your trees stay protected from extreme winter cold while maintaining healthy root systems.
Fall Tree Treatments for Health and Protection
Fall is also an excellent time to give your trees some extra protection through professional treatments. The transition from fall to winter is tough on trees—especially evergreens, which can lose moisture through their needles during dry, windy conditions.
Applying anti-desiccant treatments creates a protective barrier that helps trees retain moisture through the winter months. This simple step can prevent browning and dieback caused by dehydration.
In addition to anti-desiccants, it’s crucial to treat your trees for pests such as borers. These insects seek out weakened trees in the fall and spend the winter inside the bark, causing damage that becomes evident in spring. Preventive pest treatments help deter borers and other insects from taking up residence in your trees.
Keep Your Trees Healthy Year-Round with Professional Help
Learning how to take care of your trees during the fall is the key to maintaining a strong, healthy landscape. From fertilization and mulching to pest and moisture protection, each step you take now can make a big difference in how your trees look and perform next spring.
Contact Harford Tree today to schedule your fall tree care services and keep your trees healthy, beautiful, and resilient all winter long.
Tree Care and Maintenance from Harford Tree
Ready to have the beautiful yard you have always dreamed of? Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping, Inc has been in the business for decades, providing customers with quality work and quick responses all at the right price. We service the areas of Harford County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City areas including Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White Marsh and Middle River.
For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business and more informative tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.