Prepare Your Trees Before The Freeze

12974085633_5f113a1694_z

The changing of seasons has a powerful way of triggering certain emotions and actions within people.  Summer nears and we all tend to let loose a little bit; introducing more fun to our schedules with beach days and BBQs.  Just the opposite tends to happen as the leaves start to change color and the majority of families gear up for back to school.  Whether you have children in school or not, there is something about the crisper air temps and fall smells that manifests the motivation to prepare, keep a schedule and get back into the swing of things.  In our business, we recognize the need for trees and shrubs to do just the same.  Fall is the time to prepare your trees for a season where winter storms can bring unpredictable outcomes.  You may be thinking, “we are months away from any potential snow storm”, which is true, but hurricane season is upon us, and it’s predicted that 2017 will be a long and intense one.  Jim Skiera, Executive Directory of the International Society of Abroriculture (ISA) urges homeowners to give their trees proper attention in the fall when he explains:

“Minimize stress by helping your trees through the cold months, a little at a time. If you take care of your trees in the winter, you’ll be rewarded in the spring.”

So, what exactly do your trees need to help protect themselves against harsh winds and extended periods of freezing?  Here is a helpful checklist of actions you can take to ensure your greens will weather the storm:

Fertilization.

The summer heat can really take a toll on your trees and shrub’s nourishment levels.  So they are already low on nutrients and are about to enter several months of dormancy? Well of course that makes fall the perfect time to amp up nutrient levels with a proper feeding.  Fall Fertilization is especially important for younger, less established trees, that are more susceptible to storm damage. A slow releasing fertilizer injected or soil drenched along the drip line of the tree will help distribute nutrients to the root system for several months.

Hydration.

Even though trees enter a period of dormancy in the winter, when all consumption, digestion and growth slow down, they still need to maintain adequate levels of moisture. The amount of water your tree needs will depend on the species of tree, it’s age and your climate.  When watering a tree, focus around the drip line, which is the circle that trims the width of the crown on the ground. Imagine the tree like an umbrella, the drip line is where all the water droplets will run off and meet the ground.  This is where the smaller, feeder roots are located, and the primary spot where water and nutrients are absorbed. It’s important to water until the soil is moist but not soggy.  The key to a good fall watering, is to catch the tree after it has shed it’s leaves but before the ground has frozen.  Frozen soil acts as a barrier preventing the roots from absorbing any of the water.

Prune Away Dead Wood.

Before the fall is in full swing, prior to all the leaves falling off, is the easiest time to identify dead wood because they will be the branches that did not sprout any leaves over summer. Healthy branches have life inside them and are flexible when blown by the wind.  Conversely, dead branches are brittle and weak and will snap very easily with even small levels of stress.  Now is the time to prune away all dead wood so branches and limbs do not fall and cause damage during upcoming storms.

Cabling Weak Trees.

Cabling is the installation of flexible steel strand cables in trees to add needed support to weak branches.  A certified arborist is trained to analyze a tree’s structure and identify limbs that are not strong enough to bear the weight they are carrying.  The goal of cabling, is to transfer the weight load from the weaker branch to stronger ones to ensure that your tree will withstand heavy winds and stressful weather conditions. Cabling is very effective and is often a long term fix to a tree that might have otherwise failed.

Have your trees inspected before the winter hits and take the necessary steps to protect your home and family from any hazards that may exist.  Emerald Tree & Shrub Care is offering Free Property Inspections this fall, to have a certified arborist come evaluate your trees call us at 914-725-0441.

 

Emerald Tree & Shrub Care Services

Lawn Care

A Healthy Lawn is More Than Just Looks—It’s Living Protection for Your LandscapeProfessional Lawn Care A beautiful lawn is more than just curb appeal, it's the foundation of a healthy, thriving landscape. Our Lawn Care Programs are fully customized to meet the unique...

Hazard Tree Analysis

Stay Ahead of Storms, Accidents, and LiabilityHazard Tree Analysis Trees suspected of being weak or dangerous can be analyzed for probable risk of failure using wood core samples. Samples are extracted using highly specialized equipment and are examined to determine...

Cable Bracing Systems

Cable Bracing Systems Tree bracing is a non-invasive means to maintain the structural integrity of trees. The practice includes the use of braided wire cables that are threaded through rods to assist in supporting large limbs. Reasons for Cable Bracing Systems Helps...

Tree Removal

Tree Removal Occasionally, tree removal becomes the only solution to a given problem; whether it is a dead, weak or diseased tree that poses a threat to a property, or a new project that will cause irreparable damage to a tree’s root system sometimes removal is the...

Organic Deer Control Services

ORGANIC DEER CONTROL SERVICES Deer play vital roles in the natural and cultural environment of New York and Connecticut. They are highly valued for the beauty and utilitarian benefits they provide. However, an abundance of deer in many neighborhoods have caused...

Organic Mosquito and Control Services

Keep your family, friends, and pets safe with Emerald’s Integrated Pest Management.Integrated Pest Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to tick and mosquito control. IPM programs use current, comprehensive...

Organic Tick Control Services

ORGANIC TICK CONTROL SERVICES According to the CDC, ticks have been reported to be carrying diseases in the Northeastern United States that can be dangerous to the health of your family, friends, and pets. This includes but is not limited to Lyme...

Tree Disease Treatment Prevention

Plant Healthcare & Integrated Pest Management Programs Environmentally Responsible Care for Your Trees, Shrubs, and Ornamentals At Emerald Tree & Shrub Care, we believe the best way to protect your landscape is through Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM...

Vertical Mulching

Breathe New Life into Your Trees—From the Ground UpWhat Is Vertical Mulching? Vertical mulching is a specialized arboricultural technique designed to relieve soil compaction—a common issue in residential and commercial landscapes, especially near driveways, sidewalks,...

Integrated Tree Pest Control & Management

Integrated Tree Pest Management is the practice of monitoring insect and disease activity, and once a threshold level has been reached, implementing a combination of methods and maintenance tools to restore tree and plant health on your property.Horticultural Oils...

Soil Enhancement

Soil Enhancement Soil Drenches & Injections At Emerald, we apply soil drenching and injection techniques directly to the base of plantings. This application process serves as another way to apply fertilizers to plants with specific nutrient needs. Soil drenches...

Root Zone Soil Invigoration

Give Your Trees a Healthier Foundation Over time, the soil around your trees can become compacted by foot traffic, construction, or even just everyday use. Compacted soil makes it difficult for roots to access the air, water, and nutrients they need to thrive. The...

Tree & Shrub Pruning

Pruning Why Pruning Matters Proper pruning is one of the most important ways to keep your trees and shrubs healthy, beautiful, and safe. At Emerald Tree & Shrub Care, our certified arborists use expert techniques tailored to each plant species and property goal....

Custom Annual Plant Health Care Programs

Plant Health Care Emerald’s Plant Health Care Program is a year-round, all-inclusive method to protect your trees and shrubs from damaging insects and diseases. Most serious problems can be controlled and even prevented with the proper ongoing treatments. Our highly...

Custom Fertilization

Custom Fertilization Programs Nourishing Your Landscape for Lasting Health and Beauty Every property is unique — from soil composition and plant species to exposure and environmental stressors. At Emerald Tree & Shrub Care, we don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all”...

Property Analysis

Property Analysis Our ISA-certified arborists perform thorough property inspections annually as part of our commitment to keep our clients informed, and their valuable plantings in excellent condition. Our experts conduct thorough walkthroughs to inspect properties to...

24-Hour Emergency Tree Service

24-Hour Emergency Tree Service In an emergency situation, you need more than “fair weather friends.” According to the NOAA, Hurricanes, tropical storms and other severe weather events accounted for more than $22 billion worth of damage within the United States in 2020...