Spring is here folks! That’s Right! Spring has finally SPRUNG! The Winter weather has begun to fade and Utah homeowners are beginning to come out of their holes into their glorious yards. Temperatures are climbing and it’s important to get tree care in mind. Whether you’ve owned your home for a long time or a new homeowner, it’s time to set a list on what to do.
Springtime is the best time of year to start providing some extra love and attention to the yard so you can enjoy it throughout the year. Your trees have been dormant and hibernating in sleep for about 5 months. Now is the time to start taking the Top 5 Spring Care Tree Tips
The Top 5 Spring Tree Care Tips
Now that spring is here, it is time to make sure your trees are ready for the seasons to come! What should you be thinking about this time of year?
1. Prune your trees
Tree Care in the Spring is an important time of year to prune mature and healthy trees to stimulate proper structure and to anticipate the years growth.
By using proper pruning techniques you can eliminate a branch that may be a hazard in next years winter weather. It also gives you a chance to assess the trees and ensure that it is in good shape and will continue to thrive on your landscaping.
HERE is a good guide for best techniques
2. Xeriscape and/or replace mulch
Once you’ve cleaned up your trees, you can move to putting down a healthy bed of mulch. It is safe to put about 4 inches of mulch around each trunk layer of your trees. It creates a solid layer for them. Avoid certain types of mulch such as Walnut and Pine.
In this dry desert Utah climate, it is important process for your trees, because mulch allows the tree to retain more water instead of allowing it to run off. Also it creates a natural weed barrier, and gives a protective layer from lawn mower.
3. Begin Watering
Despite common belief of “it may freeze” beginning to water in this un-inviting winter climate is a good practice. Trees may still be dormant, but they are waking up. It’s important to check moisture with overall general tree health
Stick something 4-6 inches into the soil to see if there is enough water around your new planted trees. The dirt should be moist but not soaking wet, because the reprecussions are you can “drown” your tree. This happens often in Utah with people fighting hot summers trying to keep their lawns green.
4. Use Nutrient Tree Stakes to Fertilize Trees
To top it all off, it is important that your trees have the proper fertilization of nutrients in this west desert climate of Utah. Trees are delicate by nature and use the same nutrients as plants.
What do plants use the N, P, and K in the fertilizer numbers for? Click link for full guide
Do not forget to implement these three nutrients correct or you can damage your plants and trees beyond repair.
5. Check for pests and diseases
Insects and disease are the two components that can hurt a tree. The signs can look similar unless you know what your looking for. Signs of Pest Infestations are
- Thinning leaves or needles.
- Holes bored into leaves.
- Unusual leaf sizes.
- Discoloration of needles or leaves.
- Stalled branch growth.
- Holes or loose bark on the trunk.
- Lifting roots.
Pine Beetle Infestations
In Utah, mountain pine beetles and Bark Beetle are detrimental to the beautiful pine trees in our area. Once an infestation occurs, a tree will most likely need to be removed. The best hope for protecting pine trees from an infestation of pine beetles is pre-treatment. Insecticide can be sprayed on healthy trees to prevent infestations of these deadly beetles. Check out Senske a national competitor for rates and estimate on spraying your trees for pre-treatment.
Signs of pine beetle infestation include:
- Rusty brownish colored needles
- Needles dropping on ground
- Boughing and releasing of pitch
When these signs occur, your pine tree may already be infested with Mountain Pine Beetle or Bark Beetle and may need to be removed. The beetles eat away at the tree under the bark, killing the tree and making it dangerous. Sick trees can pose a fall risk during storms and can infect other neighboring trees. However, you can protect your other pines from infestation with treatment. Front Range Arborists, Inc. offers professional treatment for pine beetles which can help prevent the destruction of ponderosa, limber, and lodgepole pines.
Utah Pines are most susceptible and should be removed immediately to avoid further spread, check out our safe Pine Removal service.