Preparing Your Trees and Shrubs for Fall

We all know that certain mammals store food during the fall, preparing to hunker down for winter. But did you know that your trees and shrubs do the same? These plants experience a dormant period when the weather cools, during which they gather strength for spring growth. Most people might not think of tree care during this time of year, but it’s actually a great time to get started.

Interested in learning how a professional tree service can help your trees survive the winter – and even come back stronger than before? Read on.

Why Prune Your Trees During Fall?

Did you know that trees and shrubs can experience stress? Believe it or not, they can – and pruning can be a stressful event for them. Trimming away limbs while they’re dormant for the cold weather is a great way to reduce their stress and dictate where the tree should prioritize growing. Fall might not strike you as the best time to start pruning your trees and shrubs, but it’s actually a great idea.

Snow and ice storms are rare during San Jose winters, but it can happen – and when it does, it’s especially devastating to your underprepared trees and shrubs. Weakened and damaged branches can crack under the weight of snow (or even a strong wind.) This damages the plant and could also pose a risk to your property.

By pruning away weak branches before they have to deal with the hazards of cold weather, a professional arborist can make your trees strong enough to face them.

Naturally, fallen trees and limbs can cause big problems; if you need help with a tree emergency at any time of the year, count on the Anderson’s Tree Care Specialists team. We’re available 24/7 to help.

Fertilizing Your Trees and Shrubs During Fall

During fall, your trees, shrubs, and any other overwintering plants are stocking up on nutrition to carry them through the winter. They don’t need much during the winter months, but they do need some food and water. That’s why slow-release fertilizer is a great idea for the cold weather. The stronger your plants are during the winter, the healthier they’ll be when spring comes around again.

The amount and type of tree fertilizer you’ll need varies. Depending on where you live, the types of plants you’re growing, the pH levels in the soil, and much more will dictate the type of fertilizer that will suit your plants best. This can be difficult (or impossible) to assess on your own, so getting advice from a tree expert is a great idea.

Fall Pest and Plant Disease Treatment

Pests and disease are probably the biggest potential hazards for trees in San Jose, regardless of the time of year. Below are a few things to be on the lookout for:

• Emerald ash borer: This pest has a pretty descriptive name. Adult bugs lay their eggs under the bark of ash trees. When the eggs hatch, the larvae live under the bark until they are strong enough to bore their way back out and repeat the cycle. These holes in the bark give diseases an easy entry point.
• Webworms and tent caterpillars: If you’ve seen tree branches with browned leaves wrapped up in webs, you’ve seen the work of one of these pests. This can weaken your trees and also make them susceptible to other illnesses.
• Sudden oak death: As the name implies, this disease causes oak trees to suddenly decline and die. Be on the lookout for cankers in your tree’s bark, leaves dying out of season, and general rapid decline. This disease can be a major problem for trees in the surrounding area as well.
• Needle cast: This fungal disease affects needled trees like pines, spruces, and firs. The disease causes these evergreen needles to turn brown and fall off.
• Aphids: These tiny bugs eat sap from trees and other plants. They can cause leaves to curl and yellow. Fun fact: ladybugs are their natural predators!

Bugs and plant diseases are much less common during the winter, but a little preemptive control can go a long way. Dormant oils can be sprayed over your plants to prevent bug eggs from hatching, meaning you’ll have fewer to deal with when the weather warms up again.

How Can I Winterize My Trees And Shrubs?

While tree fertilization and pest control are best left to the pros, you can still do a little tree and shrub care on your own. You can try…

• Adding mulch: This gives your trees and shrubs an insulating layer that keeps the cold out and the moisture in. Try adding a 2-4 inch deep layer of mulch around the base of your plants. Make sure to leave a gap around the trunk, though; those roots need to breathe a little.
• Watering less: Water less frequently as the weather cools down, and use less water to do so. Your overwintering plants need less water during winter, but they still need some. For the best absorption, water before the sun comes up. If there’s a risk of freezing, skip the watering for the day.
• Raking leaves: This is a great way to keep pests away! Bugs and rodents hide in fallen leaves because they offer cover and insulation from the cold. Remove the leaves and you remove a hiding place close to your plants – and discourage pests from eating them.

Count on Anderson’s Tree Care Specialists to Keep Your Trees and Shrubs Healthy

Taking advantage of the opportunity to give your trees and shrubs a little extra help to weather the winter is a great way to make sure they’ll come back looking better than ever when spring returns. It only takes a little effort to get great results!

Since 1995, Anderson’s Tree Care Specialists has offered the best tree and shrub services to members of the San Jose community. If you want the best chances of a great-looking landscape later, take the extra step today. You can count on our 28 years of experience!

We offer free estimates, so there’s no risk; give us a call today!