With the cold months on the horizon, are your trees prepared? You may be wondering which fall chores will do them some good and which can be put off till spring. Come the first hard frost in Mercer County, you want to be sure your landscape is up to it.
We of Princeton Tree Care have a way of making sure our clients’ trees stay in good health; we have been doing so for Central New Jersey homeowners since 2013. The ISA Certified Arborists on our staff are well versed in what local trees require with the turning of the seasons. For any matter pertaining to your property, you can reach us at (609) 853-5572.
One would think that after all the mowing and watering of summer, the trees can look after themselves once the leaves are gone. In fact, autumn is where much of the tree care that matters takes place, though it is not given the attention it should. What is done now will ensure they are sound and safe through winter and come out healthy in the spring.
Why Your Trees Need Fall Attention
When the weather cools down a tree will put its energy into its root system and storing nutrients rather than putting on new leaves. The soil has enough warmth for roots to grow and there is none of the stress a summer heat wave brings, so it is an ideal time for certain tasks.
Problems are more apparent in the fall as well. The thinning of the foliage lets you get a clear view of the branch structure; against the open sky you will not miss any storm damage, dead limbs or a weak crotch.
What We Would Have You Do
Before winter sets in these are the tasks we put before our Central New Jersey customers:
- Make an inspection of any branches, diseased or otherwise, that might come down in an ice or snow storm
- Rake up the leaves around the base of the tree and put them away, fungal diseases like to make a home in them
- Put down some mulch for insulation and to retain moisture
- A deep watering is in order for the ground before it freezes, for newly planted stock in particular
- See if any pest or disease from the summer has made itself known
- Plan for structural pruning when the tree is dormant and you can see what you are doing
Pruning: It Is All in the Timing
There is no denying the appeal of fall pruning, the tree is going dormant and one can tell what needs to be cut. Yet go about it the wrong way and you could cause more trouble.
There are cuts best left to late fall or winter and some that should not be made until early spring. Prune at the wrong juncture and some species are prone to disease. Our arborists have the training to put their eye on your trees and say what can be done and what must wait.
A Word on Plant Health Care
You should also consider what is going on underfoot. Roots do a lot of growing in autumn so the condition of the soil is of prime importance.
Our plant health care programs deal with nutrition and growth regulation as well as fungicide and other treatments for disease. A tree with good roots and proper nutrition will be in better position to make a fine recovery in the spring. Should you have seen discolored leaves or a lack of growth this year, now is the time to put a stop to it.
Let the Experts Handle It
Raking and a little watering are fine to do yourself but there are jobs for the pros. It is not without danger to tackle a tree in decay or remove a large limb, let alone work in proximity to power lines, without the proper equipment and know how.
We are a licensed and insured operation. Since Superstorm Sandy we have put out as a family to help our neighbors and we still hold to that standard in our work throughout Mercer, Monmouth, Somerset and Middlesex counties as well as Burlington County and Lower Bucks County in Pennsylvania.
Our hours are 7 to 5 Monday to Friday and 8 to 4 on Saturday. We are happy to put a professional opinion on your trees with a free consultation or estimate.
Call (609) 853-5572 and put your trees in order for the season ahead. Let Princeton Tree Care give your landscape the attention it is due.