Fall Tree Care for Properties in Westchester and Fairfield County
With the cold months on the horizon, are your trees prepared? One has to wonder which fall chores will do some good for the property and which can be put off till spring. You might also want to take a hard look at your trees for any signs of trouble before a winter storm makes its way in.
We get asked such questions from time to come each autumn here at Emerald Tree & Shrub Care Company. Since our founding in 1996 we have been tending to the properties and trees of Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT for decades. Give us a ring at (914) 342-7418 if you would like an expert to put his or her eye on your landscape this season.
There is no better time than fall to put some effort into your trees. As the growing season comes to a close, what you do now will determine how well they stand up to winter and put in a good showing next spring. Our arborists use the following tips to see that local properties stay in fine health.
A Word of Caution Before the Storms
We have our quota of inclement weather in this part of the country in the fall and winter. A tree does not take kindly to wind and ice or wet snow; a limb with damage or weakness is a hazard in short order. An inspection of the kind we recommend will head off much of the damage down the road.
Make a tour of the property and check for:
- Branches, dead or otherwise, in danger of coming down
- Splits or cracks in a major limb or the trunk
- Any tree with a lean, particularly one that has only recently begun to tilt
- Fungal growth or mushrooms by the base
- Cavities or soft wood in decay
- Limbs encroaching on power lines, the home or driveway
Should you find any of the above, there is no point in waiting. And where you are not certain of what you are seeing, let our team of arborists, including our ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, make an evaluation.
Pruning When It Makes Sense
Many trees are best pruned in the fall and the dormant period after. The leaves are off and you can spot structural issues, while the tree is not expending energy on new growth and so will be all the better for it.
Done right, pruning will reduce the chance of a storm taking something out and get rid of diseased or dead wood. Yet it is not a matter of a one size fits all approach; some species have their own timetable and a bad cut can be permanent. Here professional advice is worth having.
Do Not Neglect the Leaves
It is not just for looks that you should be cleaning up leaves. Let them lie in a damp heap and they will smother the lawn and keep moisture against the trunks of shrubs and trees, a recipe for pests and disease.
Sweep the lawn and clear the trunks. Be sure to check drainage and gutters where they have a tendency to collect. For a healthy spring you need to have good airflow and control of moisture in the vicinity of your trees.
Roots and Mulch
Refreshing the mulch around your trees and shrubs is a sound move in the fall. Put down a good layer and it will insulate roots from the temperature changes and let the soil retain moisture when it is dry.
But leave the trunk alone; piling up a mulch volcano will bring rot and pests and hold in too much moisture. An even spread out to the drip line, a few inches from the bark, is the way to go.
Pests and the Health of Your Plantings
Do not think cooler temperatures put an end to disease and pests. They often set in over the fall to show up the year after, so make it a point to appraise the condition of your plantings and put together a plan for any treatment called for.
Deer are more of a problem in our area as their natural food runs low. If you have had deer damage on the property, wait until the season gets worse and then address protection.
Leave Some Things to the Pros
A homeowner with a rake can handle some of these things. But for tall trees, large limbs or anything near a power line, you need the equipment and a crew with training. Ours is a safety first operation, compliant with OSHA and ANSI, and we have over 34 specialized service vehicles to back it up.
We will give you a free estimate so you know where you stand. In the event of a storm our 24/7 emergency service is on hand to deal with hazards at any hour.
Put your faith in the arborists who have been in this region since 1996 for your fall tree care needs in Westchester and Fairfield County. To have your property put in order for the season ahead, call (914) 342-7418 and schedule an evaluation with Emerald Tree & Shrub Care Company.
