Spring is the time when trees become active again after having been dormant for three months. During this time, they have been exposed to harsh weather conditions and debris accumulation. They need a little extra care to return to their original condition and get ready for the new season. Whether you hire a tree service in Kitchener or care for your trees yourself, here are some things that need to be done to get them ready for another growing season.
1. Prune
Large, established trees need special equipment for safe and correct pruning, so it is better to hire a tree service in Kitchener to handle them. You may be able to prune smaller trees yourself by removing any dead or diseased branches, as well as those that rub up against each other or extend over the roof of the house.
For many trees, pruning in the spring is advantageous because of a lower risk of disease and fewer bugs. If you prune your trees yourself, it is also easier to see what you are doing because there are fewer leaves in the way. However, trees that bloom in the spring should not be pruned until later.
2. Clean
Months of rain and snow may have brought sticks and dead leaves to collect at the base of your tree. Wildlife may have left debris. This all needs to be cleared away to allow the roots of your tree to breathe and to facilitate the other preparation tasks you have to do. Rake away the accumulated debris and pull up any weeds that may have grown up around the base of the tree.
You may also have holiday decor left up on your tree from the winter. This should be put away in the spring. If left up for an extended period of time, holiday decor can affect the growth of your tree, restraining it or causing it to warp. If you want to enjoy the decorations and share them with your neighbours year-round, that is one thing—there are safe ways that you can do that—but don’t leave them up and risk harming your trees merely because you are too lazy to take them down.
3. Water
As the weather continues to get warmer, the water in the ground starts to evaporate. This may not leave sufficient hydration for your trees, which have been dormant without moisture for months. Therefore, it is a good idea to give your trees a nice drink of water to help strengthen them for spring.
Watering trees is different from watering other plants. Instead of watering them as frequently as you water your garden, water trees deeply to soak the roots completely, then give them time to absorb it before watering again.
4. Mulch
Mulch is made of either organic materials, such as wood chips, grass clippings, straw, or inorganic materials. For your trees, you probably want organic mulch because it will biodegrade and add helpful nutrients to the soil. Additionally, mulch does three important things for your trees:
- Protects the roots from lawnmower damage
- Prevents weeds from growing around the base.
- Helps prevent runoff to help the tree retain moisture
Because of these benefits, mulching is one of the most important steps involved in preparing trees for spring.
Martin’s Tree Service in Kitchener Takes Care of All Your Tree Care Needs
If your busy schedule prevents you from taking care of the preparations yourself, you may be wondering, “How can I find a professional tree service near me?” Martin’s Trees Service has been respected in the field for state-of-the-art tree work for over 10 years in the area of Kitchener, Guelph, Cambridge, and Waterloo. Contact us for a free consultation.
Steve Martin
