While it is useful to create seasonal plans for your trees and landscaping, only focusing on one season at a time may cause you to miss tasks that have lasting implications on your properties’ health. Instead, taking a comprehensive, bigger picture approach allows you to rest easy that your landscape will not just be healthy for a season but every single day. The new year’s approach provides a perfect opportunity to strategize for how best to care for your trees through all of Florida’s unpredictable seasons.
Fall
This is a season of planning, as the autumn months are the perfect time to assess your trees and ensure they are ready for winter’s colder temperatures. Take this opportunity to prune perennials and trees as needed, especially for younger trees, which relieves stress, promotes healthy new growth, and allows for better root expansion.
Fall is also the ideal time to plant new trees, such as evergreens, as they are not at risk of scorching temperatures or drought as they would be in summer.
In addition to raking and mulching leaves that have fallen, fertilize to help your trees regain lost nutrients by using a slow-release fertilizer that will help your trees withstand the upcoming winter’s pests, diseases, and harsh weather conditions.
Winter
Because we typically have such mild winters in Florida, you may think the dormant season is one to relax and not worry about your yard. But, taking special care in winter to protect your trees helps enable their healthy growth come springtime.
Protect your trees from harsh weather by covering them appropriately, and nurture them through appropriate mulching, watering, and fertilizing. You can also take early action to remove any diseased or damaged limbs or branches from your trees. This is particularly true if these hang over structures such as your house or garage, which are much easier to see when the trees are dormant and have lost much of their foliage. Some damage may be invisible to an untrained eye. So, it is best to have your landscape assessed by a professional arborist who can test your soil and begin leaf disease preventatives, so your landscape is well prepared for the spring growing season.
Spring
This is perhaps the most critical season of the year for your tree health. The most important things to focus on in the spring are:
- Watering
- Fertilizing
- Pruning
- Mulching
- Pest control
Watering
It is essential to give your trees as much hydration as possible to prepare them for the unrelenting heat of our summers. Our spring showers help somewhat, but you should continue to monitor your trees and water as needed as the rainfall dwindles late in the season.
Fertilizing
There are a few things to keep in mind with fertilizing trees. No matter how young a tree is, if it is not growing as it should, fertilizer may be needed. Different tree species need different fertilizer formulations, so it is essential to know which type you need before applying. Fertilize toward the beginning of the spring for the best results.
Pruning
Take this season to prune flowering trees and remove any damage that resulted from the preceding colder months. It is also a great time to plant new trees, as many garden nurseries have spring sales.
Mulching
Fluffing and turning your mulch over with a rake not only makes your landscape look better, but it helps expose mulch that has soaked up spring rain and allows it to dry out with the sun. It’s essential to avoid “volcano mulching,” which is the term for when mulch is piled up at the base of a tree, putting it at risk of trunk rot and rodent infestation.
Pest Control
Another task to tackle during the spring is pest control. Many of Florida’s insects and diseases are most active during this season, including spruce spider mites that live on your pines and other conifers. You can also schedule tree health inspections and consider implementing lightning protection in anticipation of spring storms.
Summer
Take this time to focus on re-mulching, pruning, and trimming most trees, save for Oaks and Elms that should be cut in late winter into early spring, as well as thinning your tree branch ends.
It is also essential to inspect for pests and diseases during this time of year and perform any necessary prevention. Particularly, if you notice your tree leaves have holes, wilting, or discoloration, these are early warning signs of disease. Summer mites are especially active on your deciduous trees and plants during these months.
Gaston’s Treats Your Trees Year Round
Gaston’s Tree Service is your comprehensive tree care company, here to help with any guidance you need to care for your trees. And we offer free quotes on all services, whether you need tree trimming, tree removal, emergency tree service, storm repair, or even stump removal. Contact us today and let us help you achieve the healthiest trees in your neighborhood!