Every year, thousands upon thousands of trees succumb to either disease or pest infestation. What is really horrible about this is that many of these dead trees could have been saved with a small amount of preventive care. If you are a landowner, take the proper steps this winter with your landscaping to protect your trees.

Mulching

The colder months of the year are actually the perfect time to get your mulching done. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of your trees. This will have several benefits during the winter. The roots of those trees will remain insulated even if the temperature is below freezing. The soil temperature around those trees will fluctuate less, even if the air temperature fluctuates a lot. Those roots will also retain moisture. All of this will contribute to healthier trees that can better resist disease and infestation later in the year.

Dormant Oil

Another tool at your disposal is dormant oil. Dormant oil is a pesticide used during the dormant season. It can be used in the winter and the latter part of the fall. It is explicitly designed to destroy the eggs of insects, as well as insects that hibernate or undergo an “overwintering” process. This way, pests that would have usually survived the winter season to pester your trees after the first thaw are completely eradicated well before that ever happens. Dormant oil works by suffocating insects and eggs, restricting oxygen flow.

Pruning

Winter is actually one of the best times for pruning because trees will not attempt new growth while dormant. As such, this is the perfect time to give your trees a proper pruning and remove problem branches and limbs that could become an issue in the spring and summer. Look for branches and limbs that are either broken or damaged. These could lead to disease and infestations later on, and are especially prone to cracking due to either snowfall or a windstorm. Call an arborist for trimming and pruning. This is not a task you can perform yourself, as you will not have the training, experience, tools, or safety gear to complete it properly without damaging the tree or nearby property.

Remove Debris

Winter is also a time to remove debris around trees and throughout your yard. Debris such as dead leaves, broken branches, and more can smother grass and make pest infestations and tree diseases more likely. While you can’t stop the snow from falling on your yard, your grass should be relatively clean when it does happen.

Keep your trees safe this winter. If you live in Woodside, CA, and need plant healthcare services, such as disease treatment, hire Urban Tree Management for the job.