Spring here in West Central Texas is a super important time to take care of your trees after the long winter months. Especially with all of the storms with high winds, we’ve been having lately. Here are some spring tree care tips that can help keep your property safe and looking great:
Inspect your trees: Inspect all of the trees on your property for any damage caused by winter weather or disease. Check for broken or damaged branches, cracked trunks, and signs of pest infestations. We were just out to a residence to provide a quote and we noticed a large hollow spot on a tree adjacent to the tree the property owner wanted to be removed or trimmed due to the 2021 Freeze damage.
Prune your trees: Prune any dead or damaged branches. This is actually a dangerous situation with the high winds we’ve been experiencing, especially in the trees that were damaged in the February 2021 Freeze. The tree trimming will help improve the tree’s overall health and appearance.
Fertilize your trees: Apply a slow-release fertilizer to your trees to promote healthy growth. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage and application instructions on the product label. This will also help the trees stand the stress of our hot Texas summers.
Mulch your trees: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of your trees. This will help conserve moisture, control weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Please, please, please do not have the mulch touch the tree trunk. Also, do not create those “volcano mounds” around your trees. The mulch is there to keep the soil around the tree moist and it has to let your sprinkler water or rainwater get down to the roots. Those large mounds will actually kill your trees by cutting off needed watering.
Water your trees: When you water, make sure to give your trees a deep watering, especially if the soil is dry as it has been. A thorough watering will help the tree flourish and establish strong roots and stay healthy throughout the season.
Protect your trees: Protect your trees from pests and diseases by applying insecticides and fungicides as needed. Keep an eye out for signs of insect infestations, such as holes in leaves or bark, and treat them promptly. Remember that if you have Live Oak trees, oak wilt is definitely a problem.
You will see oak wilt show up on the leaves of the trees. You will see a pattern that often reminds people of “fish bones”, and that’s called veinal necrosis. The leaf veins become yellow or brown and the leaf soon falls off the tree.
By following these spring tree care tips, you can help your trees thrive.
