Tis the Season for Tree Installation, Pruning, and Maintenance

Summer is officially over. The time for pumpkin spice lattes and sweater weather is quickly approaching. This time of year also means it’s time to prepare your trees for winter and the cold temperatures. Even though many people believe that spring is the best time to handle planting and gardening, the truth is that the fall can be an excellent time to work on tree maintenance.

The best time to plant and maintain your trees will vary by location, but in areas where there are apparent season changes, fall is an excellent time to address all your tree needs.

Why Fall is The Best Time for Planting/Maintenance

Fall planting has become more common because it gives your trees an additional growing season before summer. Although trees look full and lush in the summer, the summer is harsh on them. Heat waves, dry spells, and droughts can strain even the oldest, most supported tree system. The cooler temperatures in the fall, around 50°F, give your trees more time to establish their root systems, so they have a better chance of making it through extreme seasonal changes ahead.

The Benefits of Planting Trees In the Fall

Beyond helping your trees establish their root systems, there are other benefits to planting in the fall. Some of the benefits to consider include:

• Giving your trees an extra growing season
• Planting during a tree’s dormant phase to help avoid shock
• That the soil is still warm, and rain may be plentiful
• That trees produce new root growth easier in cooler temperatures without using energy for additional top growth
• Planting trees also helps your commercial property look more appealing.

The Benefits of Pruning Trees In the Fall

Like with planting, the fall is also a great time to prune your trees. Why? The trees are going into their dormant phase, so their growth is halted. With this inactivity, you get the opportunity to prune your trees before new growth has begun. This allows you to more easily shape the tree and limit the plant’s bloom potential in the following year.

Since the ground is hard due to cooler temperatures, you will also easily get to the tree. On top of that, if you wait for the leaves to fall, you’ll find it much easier to reach the branches that you’d like to prune back.

Remember, pruning is essential to protecting your tree against disease and managing it if it does appear. Pruning during the dormant phase promotes future tree growth and good health. Along with this, you can also make changes to the shape of your trees so that you can create pathways and structural clearance more easily.

How to Plant a Tree

If you’re ready to plant, follow these simple steps.

1. Start by digging a bowl-shaped hole in the ground: This hole should be around the same depth as the tree’s root ball. The width should be up to five times the width, depending on the kind of tree you’re planting. Why so large? Looser soil will allow the roots to unfurl more easily and grip into the soil quickly.
2. Backfill the hole you removed: This dirt needs to be placed back over the root ball and tamped gently. You want to remove air pockets, but don’t tamp down so hard that you compact the ground around the roots. They need the soil to be looser to spread out quickly.
3. Leave the root collar above the ground: Leave the root collar a little bit above the surface. This will make it easier for you to water the root system in the coming days.
4. Water your new tree: Water your new tree at least two times a week. Saturate the area, and water it more often if there haven’t been rain showers.
5. Mulch: Finally, add mulch. Mulch helps hold in moisture and heat, which can help your tree as it establishes its root system. It also contains helpful nutrients that your tree needs to survive and thrive.

Contact Earthworks, Your Premier Commercial Landscaping Service

At Earthworks, we are here to help with all your landscaping needs and questions. We provide full-service landscape management services for multi-family and commercial properties. Let us help you with tree installation, adding seasonal color, and other landscaping needs. Call us today at (817) 477-3910 in Fort Worth or 1 (844) 425-8168 in Houston or other areas to request an estimate.