6 Tips for Winter Tree Care

1. It’s all about moisture

Just as our skin can dry harshly over winter, trees also suffer moisture loss in the colder months. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate the temperature of the ground. Mulch should be approximately 10cm deep and ensure that it is not piled up against the trunk of the tree to avoid rot.

2. Give ‘em a regular check up

Regularly checking your trees means you can identify any early signs of disease. We recommend monitoring these four key health indicators to ensure your trees are thriving:

– new leaves or buds (generally occurring starting late winter)
– leaf size is consistent year on year,
– twig growth, and
– the absence of crown dieback.

When buds appear to ‘swell’ in late winter, it’s a sure sign it’s time to fertilise.

3. Take Out Your Dead

Remove dead or dying branches to reduce the incident of disease.

4. Put Good Chemistry on the Menu 

Ensure the soil chemistry is suitable for nutrition uptake. In urban settings, trees need to be fertilized due to poor soil, or to have the pH rectified so the plants can take up the nutrients.

5. Cut to the Chase

The dormant season is a great time to prune especially for ornamental and fruiting deciduous trees. A winter pruned tree will encourage new shoots, ensuring new fruiting wood for the following year. Just be sure to use the right technique – thinning cuts, reduction cuts or heading cuts – to achieve the result you want.

6.  Take the Stress out of Moving

Winter is a great time to transplant anything deciduous, in particular container-grown new trees and shrubs. The branches and leaves are not growing due to the cooler temperatures, but the roots will continue to spread and get better established.

With these great tips you’ll be sure to help your grounds, trees and open spaces thrive next Spring.

If you need help getting your green space ready for the next season, contact our friendly team and get a quote today.