The leaves are coming down on your trees a bit early this year? You may be asking yourself what is to be done to see them through the cold months in good health, or if that limb with a lean can be left alone till spring.
We at Timberline Tree & Landscape have put in the work of caring for the trees of property owners in the Tri-State since 1994. Being a family business we have come to know the particular needs of our local stock as the seasons turn; it is part of what we do serving Westchester and Rockland in NY, Bergen County, NJ and Fairfield County in CT. For an opinion from one of our ISA-certified arborists, (845) 403-1952 is the number to call.
There is no better time than fall to put some resources into the well being of your trees. With a measure of forethought you will have your property in fine shape for a safe winter. We put forward the following advice.
Why Fall is Important for Your Trees
With the cooling off of the weather a tree’s energy is diverted from putting out new leaves to its roots. Autumn is therefore a good time to tend to your trees; the soil has enough warmth for root development yet the tree is not expending itself on foliage. Any work put in now will be repaid in the spring.
Then there are the heavy winds and storms that make their way through the region in fall. An unstable tree or a feeble limb is a hazard when the ice and snow set in, so it is best to deal with such matters before winter to avoid an emergency.
Pruning: Do It Right
One can remove dead or damaged wood in the fall and forestall any liability, but you have to be mindful of how and when you do it. A bad cut is an invitation for disease or undue stress.
Some of the things we would have you consider by way of fall pruning are:
- To get rid of branches liable to break under the weight of snow
- Limbs overhanging the driveway, walkways or roof
- Dead or diseased wood that might otherwise spread
- A more balanced structure for the tree
- Less wind resistance for the canopy in a storm
Our arborists are aware of the species that will stand up to fall pruning and those best left until they are dormant. If there is any question, a professional is worth consulting.
Mulching
For protection against the cold, mulch is about as straightforward as it gets. The right amount will insulate the roots and keep the soil temperature in check during the freeze and thaw while retaining moisture.
We are committed to environmentally sustainable care and practice eco-conscious mulching at Timberline. Make a ring of mulch around the base of the tree but do not let it touch the trunk. Piling it up on the bark is a recipe for rot as it holds in moisture.
A Check for Pests and Disease
Once the foliage thins out you will find it easier to spot trouble. An early detection can mean the difference between containing a problem and having it move on to other trees.
Be on the lookout for:
- Holes or sawdust of any kind on the trunk
- Bark that is discolored, peeling or cracked
- Fungus or mushrooms at the base
- Leaves not holding on to the branch
- Wilting or spots on what is left of the foliage
We manage pests and disease in as natural a fashion as we can to spare your property from superfluous chemicals.
Getting Ready for Storms
You can count on some hard weather in the Tri-State and fall is the season to be prepared. That could involve cabling and bracing a tree of questionable structure, or removing limbs that are a danger. Should a storm put your home or business at risk with a fallen tree, you can rely on us; Timberline is available for emergency service day or night.
Leave It to the Professionals
When you are dealing with heights and power lines and the like, tending to a mature tree is not something to tackle on your own. We are BBB Accredited (A+), licensed and insured and our staff of ISA-certified arborists are familiar with what is native here.
Before the first hard freeze is the time to have your property in order. Call us at (845) 403-1952 for a free estimate on whatever you need, be it a health check, some pruning or mulch. Let the team at Timberline Tree & Landscape give your trees what they need this fall.