Fall is the time when you prepare your yard for the cold winter months ahead.
Below are some fall tips for keeping your yard and trees healthy over the winter. This is especially important due to our extreme temperatures in Minnesota. Fall is also a great time of year to nurture and review the structure of your trees and plan for any changes to your landscape next year.
Here are a few tips for taking care of your lawn and trees this fall:
- Water any new trees, bushes and evergreens. Larger trees should be watered if the fall is dry. Be sure to water slowly, allowing it to soak in well. (Stop once temps drop below 40 degrees).
- Remove the leaves from your yard to avoid bares spots in your lawn next spring.
- Protect trees from the elements and pests:
- Mulch in your trees and shrubs. This will help retain moisture and protect the roots for the winter.
- Cover young trees (under 4”-5” diameter) and thin-barked trees like maples by installing a hard barrier (plastic tube, fencing, chicken wire, hardware cloth) to keep rabbits and other animals from chewing on stems.
Services Rainbow Treecare offers to support fall plant healthcare:
- Tree fertilization to support the health and vigor of your trees.
- One example of the importance of Fall fertilization is that proper amounts of potassium can reduce winter burn on Evergreens.
- Growth control to stimulate root development.
- Set the stage for Spring control of insect pests with a Fall application of Xytect.
- Fall tree assessment for Dormant Pruning:
- Pruning shrubs and trees regularly can help minimize damage from ice and snow.
- Tree canopies aren’t obstructed by leaves in the Fall allowing for a more complete assessment of tree structure.
Remember, healthy trees are more capable to respond and withstand attacks from insects, disease and harsh winters.
