As we wave goodbye to summer and head into autumn, it’s easy to assume that trees won’t require any care or maintenance until spring.
However, the autumn months are an important time for trees as they can become vulnerable to various environmental stressors that can threaten the health or structure of the tree.
Autumn officially starts on the 22nd of September and ends on the 21st of December. If you’re reading this post during these dates, it may be time to give the Scott Davies Tree Surgery team a call.
That’s because while trees require care and maintenance all year round, there are some things to look out for during autumn specifically. Ensuring your trees receive the proper care can ultimately be the difference between them flourishing or failing over the longer term.
Understanding Autumn’s Impact On Trees
As humans, we understand that autumn is a time when we start to wear warmer layers and put the central heating on to keep our homes warm. Trees don’t have such luxuries and instead must prepare themselves for the harsh winter conditions ahead through other means.
When the temperatures drop and the amount of daylight decreases, trees undergo changes in their metabolic processes.
Trees start redirecting nutrients from leaves to their roots, making it an ideal time for root development. However, all of this winter preparation also makes them vulnerable to stressors. This is why autumn tree care is so important.
Pruning Trees In Autumn
Pruning during autumn is a critical component of preserving both the vitality and structural integrity of trees.
This season offers an ideal window for addressing several pruning needs. For instance, autumn is the perfect time to engage in crown thinning, which involves selectively removing branches and excess foliage within the canopy. Crown thinning enhances air circulation, encourages light penetration and minimises the risk of fungal diseases.
However, it’s crucial to exercise restraint when pruning in autumn. While light shaping is permissible, it’s advisable to postpone heavy pruning, such as crown reduction, until late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant. Excessive pruning can stress the tree, potentially impacting its resilience during the winter months.
Trees can also require crown lifting, which involves the removal of lower branches to raise the canopy base. Often this is performed for clearance or aesthetic purposes.
Preventing Winter Damage Through Proper Care
Taking care of your trees in the autumn is essential for preventing damage during winter. Adequate watering, especially for young trees, helps them withstand winter drought. Mulching around the base of trees helps retain moisture and insulate roots. Wrapping susceptible tree trunks with protective materials prevents sunscald and rodent damage during cold months.
Addressing Pest And Disease Concerns
Autumn is an ideal time to address pest and disease concerns. It provides the opportunity to inspect trees for signs of infestations or diseases, such as wilting leaves or unusual growths. Where issues are detected, preventive measures like applying dormant oil sprays to control overwintering pests can be used.
If you are concerned about tree pests or diseases, we recommend consulting with a professional arborist for the most effective pest and disease management strategies.
Preparing Trees For Winter With Adequate Nutrition
Autumn presents a valuable opportunity for tree care, setting the stage for healthy, resilient trees in the coming seasons. By understanding the unique needs of your trees during this time and implementing proper care techniques, you can help them thrive through the challenges of winter and emerge vibrant in the spring.
Fertilising in late summer or early autumn can provide essential nutrients for root development and overall tree health. Balanced nutrition helps trees resist winter stressors and promotes vigorous spring growth.
Autumn Tree Care Benefits
Similar to other plants or flowers you may have on your property, there is a benefit to keeping your trees in tip-top condition, including throughout autumn.
Here are some of the main advantages of prioritising autumn tree care.
Reduces The Risk Of Damage And Disease
As we’ve established, winter can be a challenging time for trees. Ensuring trees are best prepared in autumn can greatly reduce the chances the tree may succumb to damage or disease. In particular, it allows for trees to be inspected so that potential problems can be identified at the earliest opportunity.
Promotes Root Growth
Trees that are healthy will continue to grow. However, the health needs to come from the roots for the rest of the tree to be able to receive adequate nourishment. Autumn tree care looks after the roots of the tree for a quarter of its life, making it important for the tree’s year-round health.
Boosts Aesthetic Value
In a previous blog post, we mentioned that healthy and well-maintained trees can add up to 20% to the value of a property. Without a doubt, autumn tree care is essential for ensuring your trees continue to flourish for that to be the case. In contrast, if the harsh winter conditions prove too stressful for the tree, it may cause the tree to become diseased or damaged thus reducing the aesthetic appeal of the tree.
Supports The Local Ecosystem
Autumn is a timely reminder that trees aren’t just for our benefit, but that many animals and insects also rely on trees. Animals seek out trees in the colder months for food and shelter. However, the ability of the tree to provide either of these things is limited if the tree is in poor health. So by taking care of trees in autumn, landowners are also helping birds and insects to survive. Given trees also play an important role in oxygenating the air and removing pollutants, the positive impact of healthy trees is often widespread.
Discover Our Tree Surgery Services In Manchester
Do you have trees on your residential or commercial property? From autumn tree pruning to emergency tree work, we provide a full range of tree surgery services here at Scott Davies.
We cover the wider Greater Manchester area including locations such as Astley, Bolton, Chorley, Leigh, Salford and Wigan. Check out our location pages to see our tree services local to you.
Alternatively, contact us here at Scott Davies arborists to let us know about the services you require along with your location. You can also give us a call on 01617 686 422.