Helpful Tips for Fall Tree Care

When you think “fall tree care,” what typically comes to mind is one thing—raking. But your lawn and tree work should involve much more than that. To strengthen your trees after our dry summer, and prep them for our cold winter months, follow these helpful tips this fall.

Avoid Fertilizing

In the autumn months your trees prepare for cold weather by going into dormancy, a process that is especially needed in Minnesota. Fertilizing your trees can slow or halt the process and leave them vulnerable to winter damage. Hold off on this task until the spring.

Examine Bark

High lawn care activity throughout the spring and summer, such as mowing, can result in cuts or knicks on your tree bark. Examine your bark for damage and give broken pieces a clean cut with a utility knife. This will help keep them from getting bark related diseases.

Mulch

It is essential that your tree stores moisture throughout fall when your landscape does not receive the same amount of watering it has throughout the spring and summer. Mulching will help your tree better retain moisture and nutrients. Learn more about mulching and its benefits here.

Prune

While fall isn’t the ideal time to prune your trees, it may be necessary. Your trees may have experienced damage from summer wind or thunder storms. Look for branches that could pose a threat during a heavy snowfall.

Rake

Leaves have already begun to turn here in Wayzata, Minnesota and pretty soon, they’ll be falling in mass quantities. Keep up with your fall raking. You may even want to consider starting a compost pile. Leaves can act as an inexpensive and “green” mulching option.

Soil Samples

Fall can be a great time to send in soil samples to be evaluated. Testing outlets are often less busy during the fall, resulting in a faster turnaround period. This should leave you time to make adjustments before winter.

Water

Just because the temperature is dropping, doesn’t mean your trees don’t need adequate watering. Send your trees into late fall and winter as healthy trees that will be able to withstand our harsh Minnesota weather.

If you’re not sure whether or not fall is the time to perform a landscaping update, contact Ostvig Tree Care at info@ostvigtree.com. Our certified arborists have the knowledge and experience to answer any of your lawn care questions.