Green thumbs, rejoice! Just because Toronto days are shorter and nights are darker, it doesn’t mean the sun has set on gardening season just yet, and this is especially true when it comes to trees. The autumn season is an excellent time of year to plant a new leafy addition to your shrubbery, yet your trees must be equipped with the proper preparations to withstand the harsher, cooler climates. Try these tips to keep your trees content amongst the elements.
For your young trees
Because they may not be developed enough to withstand the constant freezing and thawing that occurs during the colder months, young trees are more susceptible to succumbing to the elements that come with the cooler winter climate.
Once the ground floor has become frozen, combat the season’s wrath with a thick (3-6”) layer of mulch around your young tree. Make sure you don’t put it directly up against the base, however, as this could attract fungus through moisture build up and instead lay your layer an inch or two from the base. Bark chips or leaves are a great natural resource to use for your protector. Think of your mulch as nice warm woolen socks for your tree. Another way to protect is to wrap the trunk with burlap or tree wrap up to the lowest branch. This will also help safe guard the tree from salt spray from roads.
Watering your young and older trees
Fall and winter weather is more prone to pelt us with ice and wind rather than the rainy sustenance our trees require. So try this: If you haven’t already done so, stop watering your trees until they lose their leaves. Once the leaves have fallen, water them until the ground begins to freeze so they will have enough water to quench their thirst through the winter drought.
Pruning the 3 D’s
When pruning both your young and old trees, make sure you take care of the 3 D’s- the dead, diseased or damaged branches. These all act as entry points for pests and other diseases could enter and wreak havoc on your tree as they, just like us, seek sanctuary and sustenance against the cold.
If you are in need of any tree services or tree removal services in the GTA, give Rooted Tree Services a call, and we would be more than happy to send one of our experienced arborists to your home or place of business to provide you with a free quote.
