We may only be about a month away from the official start of fall, but it’s not too soon to begin thinking winterizing your trees. The Kansas City area is prone to winters with lots of snow, ice, and wind, which can be very rough on your trees. Now is a great time to start looking at your trees to take care of problems that could potentially be very serious in the winter if no action is taken now.
Below are a few of the ways you can begin to prepare your trees for the winter ahead.
- Prune branches that will touch the ground when loaded with snow, ice, or rain. Thinned out branches are better able to resist the wind.
- Dead or damaged twigs, branches, and bark should be removed. If left on the tree, pests can seek shelter there for the winter.
- Water your trees before the ground freezes. A long, slow “drink” for the fall watering will ensure that the water reaches the roots of the tree.
- After you’ve watered your trees, place a layer of mulch around the tree to help it retain moisture.
Your certified arborists here at Cartwright Tree Care would be happy to assist you in getting your trees ready for winter. Contact us today at 816-965-6758.
Information compiled from the Detroit Free Press and the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forest Resources.
Photo via Cartwright Tree Care’s Facebook Page.