Essential Fall Tree Care Tips for Preparing Your Backyard Trees

This autumn, as trees display vibrant colors, it's also the perfect moment for some essential maintenance.

From mulching to spotting potential issues, these fall gardening strategies will get your trees ready for winter.

5 Key Tasks for Fall Tree Care

Incorporate these straightforward tasks into your gardening routine this season. They're easy and definitely beneficial.

1. Apply Mulch

Blake Watkins, a Certified Master Arborist, emphasizes that mulching is a great starting point for fall tree care. Mulch retains moisture in the soil and insulates the roots, helping them avoid stress from freezing and thawing.

'Begin by removing old mulch, fluffing it, and then replacing it,' suggests Rebecca Johnson, a fellow certified arborist. She advises adding more mulch if it's less than two inches deep, ideally extending it to the tree's dripline while keeping it three inches away from the trunk.

Fertilizing trees in late summer or early fall is crucial, too. A tree-specific fertilizer or humic acid can provide essential nutrients for winter.

Pro Tip: Collect fallen leaves to create leaf mold, an excellent mulch for next season.

2. Check for Pests and Diseases

'As summer transitions to fall, inspect your trees for any signs of disease or pest problems,' advises Blake.

'Pests typically become a concern when they affect 20-30% of the leaves. Early detection allows you to consult a local arborist for treatment and prevention,' he explains.

Look for holes, spots, or chewed edges on leaves, and inspect the undersides for insects.

Now's also a good time to look for fungi around trees, according to arborist Ned Cromack.

'Fungal growths may become visible in autumn. Take a moment to check the roots and basal zones for any issues while raking leaves.'

'Parasitic fungi like honey fungus can harm trees. If found, seeking professional advice is wise,' Ned adds. 'Though tree removal might not be necessary, the fungus can spread and threaten other plants.'

'Saprotrophic fungi typically don't harm live tissue but can indicate dead or decaying areas,' Ned clarifies. A skilled arborist can assess the situation and recommend actions.

3. Evaluate Tree Structure

Once leaves have fallen, check for structural pruning needs, suggests Rebecca.

'Pruning in fall is debated; some experts believe it's a mistake due to trees going dormant and slow healing,' she notes.

Waiting until late winter is often best, as trees will be waking up but not fully active yet. However, if you see dead or sick branches, it's wise to address them promptly to prevent damage during storms, Blake points out.

4. Shield Trees from Winter Damage

'Young trees or those with thin bark are at risk for sunscald or frost cracks,' explains Fern Berg, founder of Tree Vitalize. Wrapping trunks with burlap or specialized tree wraps can offer protection.

'This also shields trees from animals like rabbits that might chew the bark during winter,' she adds. Using tree guards can provide additional defense.

5. Plant New Trees

'Autumn is the prime season for planting trees,' says Rebecca. Trees release hormones promoting root growth as they go dormant, making it an ideal time.

Autumn Hilliard-Knapp from Perfect Plants agrees, noting that cooler temperatures support healthy establishment free from sunburn or drought stress.

If you planted a tree last fall, now's the moment to remove any supporting stakes. If it hasn't rooted deeply, consult a local arborist for assessment.