Dormant Tree Health Care
It’s important to care for your trees year-round. While they might be sleeping during the winter months, there are a few things you can do to now to ensure they meet the spring and summer with strength and vigor, and are at their best to fight off disease and pests.
Dormant Season Checklist for Trees
- Have your trees pruned for deadwood and structural problems.
- Allow fallen leaves to rot in place. Mulching the leaves with a lawn mower can accelerate the decay. Decaying leaves allow important nutrients to be recycled by the tree. (It’s what happens naturally in the forest.)
- Add locally-sourced wood chips as mulch, being careful to keep the root flares exposed.
- Add compost to the tree’s Critical Root Zone and throughout the yard.
- Avoid the use of harmful chemicals and fertilizers. (See our list of chemicals and fertilizers to avoid.)
- Have Mistletoe removed when it is most exposed.
- Use proper watering practices for winter. (Read our guidelines.)
