Fun Facts on the Tree Care Wine Country Vineyards Need

What is it that allows some vineyards to put in a good year of production while others can only dream of a consistent harvest? And when one drives through wine country, one cannot help but see the trees that are posted along the grapevines. In fact, they have more to do with the quality of your wine than you might think.

We at Tailored Tree Inc. understand the link between tree care and the growing of grapes from our own experience. As a family operation out of El Dorado Hills, we have put in custom tree and garden design for our share of local wineries across El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Amador Counties. Call (916) 249-2553 if you want to talk about it.

For all the sun and rolling hills wine country is known for, the trees are the unsung heroes of the vineyard. We will share a few facts as to how much a vineyard is dependent on them.

A Vineyard’s Microclimate is Shaped by Trees

You do not have to be an expert to know that grapes are a finicky crop; an excess of wind or sun, or a dearth of shade, will tell in the health of the vines and the taste of the fruit. Yet many never give it a second thought that trees are there to even things out.

Consider the environment in which a vineyard grows:

• Harsh gusts are kept at bay by trees serving as windbreaks
• The hottest areas get some reprieve in the form of partial shade to temper the ripening
• They hold moisture in the soil
• Pests are put in their place by the birds and insects the trees harbour
• Erosion is curbed on the slopes where so many vineyards are located
• On a hot afternoon or during a heat wave they cool the air

Do all this and a tree in good order need not vie with the vines for what they require in the way of water and nutrients. Order being the operative word.

When Overgrown Trees Are a Problem

There is no question trees are good for a vineyard, provided they are tended to. Too much shade, an obstruction to airflow, debris strewn over the rows are all the makings of an overgrown tree.

All too often an owner is oblivious to the trouble a tree has become until it shows up in the grapes. One sees mildew and rot where there should be none because of poor air circulation. Clusters remain underripe from the shade. Unchecked roots make their way into the drainage and irrigation.

The solution is in the planning and pruning. To open the canopy to the light and air and yet leave the tree’s value undiminished is something of an art, requiring a trained eye.

Character in the Land

Wine connoisseurs may like to know that the odd oak in the midst of a vineyard is no accident. Some wineries will put such a tree on the label of their wine, they are so steeped in history and beauty.

Of course a mature tree in the middle of a working vineyard demands to be looked after. Heritage trees call for:

• An eye for disease and decay
• Pruning to stave off any limbs that might come down
• Managing the roots so the vines and the tree can coexist
• Cabling to support any heavy branches

We enjoy the work of helping our local winery clients keep the trees that are the personality of their property.

Vineyard Design Is in the Details

If a vineyard is well made, you will find the trees were part of the plan right down to the placement of the row and the spread of its roots. Then there are the visitors and the tastings; a winery wants its grounds to be inviting. A landscape that is attractive and healthy is more to be remembered. It is a matter of having a property that is as lovely as it is productive.

Those are the principles we follow whether the job is at a home or a commercial concern. A properly maintained tree puts a better face on everything around it.

Tailored Tree Inc. is here for the greater Sacramento region should you have need of some expertise for your vineyard, business or home. Our team is on hand round the clock and we give free estimates. Get in touch with us at (916) 249-2553 and we will see to it your property is in good hands.