Many people don’t realize that owning trees comes with responsibilities. Even though trees can take care of themselves for the most part, they still need TLC to remain healthy. To keep them strong and healthy, regular maintenance is needed year-round, even during winter. Here are some expert tree care tips to start the new year off right and help your trees thrive throughout the seasons.

Keep Watering When You Can

One false assumption people have is that they should not water their trees at all during the winter. This is false. When the ground is not frozen, take this time to water your trees. They will benefit from the added moisture since tree roots continue to grow even while the weather is cold. During the winter months, watering your trees once or twice a month should be adequate. You won’t have to do more than that. When you do, try to water them so that the water reaches 12 inches deep.

The Winter Is the Time to Prune

Something else you should be aware of is that winter is one of the best times of the year to prune your trees. This is because, during the colder weather, many species of tree enter into a dormant state in which their branches and limbs stop growing. This makes pruning a lot easier since the results will be more apparent for the long term.

Always call an arborist for a pruning job. They have the tools and training to ensure everything is done safely.

Get to Mulching

Another task that should be performed during winter is mulching. Mulching during the winter can be especially beneficial for trees and help them better retain moisture during those bitterly cold months. It’s also a good time to add mulch because the surrounding grass will be in a dormant state as well as any weeds that may be hiding nearby. Two to four inches of mulch should be adequate for most trees. However, you should be careful to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk. This will help protect the tree from certain diseases.

Protect Young Trees

If you have deer wandering in your neighborhood, consider installing tree guards to protect young trees from getting munched on. You may also want to wrap those that are especially delicate to prevent their bark from being damaged by the extreme temperature fluctuations.

No matter the season, professional care can make all the difference in ensuring your trees remain healthy and continue to thrive. If you live in El Dorado, CA, and require tree services, reach out to Tailored Tree for the job.