As the seasons change and temperatures fluctuate, your trees and shrubs can face more stress than you realize. Even if you’re already committed to professional lawn care services, your larger plants need their own dedicated management to stay healthy in all seasons. So how can you prepare your ornamental trees and shrubs for year-long resilience? The following seasonal recommendations will help ensure your landscape thrives even under the toughest conditions.
Seasonal Tips for Maintaining Healthy Trees and Shrubs
Every season requires specific actions to prevent stress, disease and pest infestations. The following tips break down what your trees and shrubs need during spring, summer, fall and winter.
Spring Preparation for Trees and Shrubs
The main goals of spring preparation are to help trees and shrubs recover from winter stress and support new growth. Initially, applying spring fertilizer helps support the development of new leaves, stems and branches as plants emerge from dormancy. To stop active spring pests and cool-season diseases, insecticides and fungicides may be applied as preventive measures.
Summer Care for Outdoor Plants
Heat stress during the summer months can cause considerable damage to ornamental trees and shrubs. Fortunately, with summer fertilizer applications at the right time, your plants will keep their color and density. The nutrients received from high-grade fertilizers improve the ability to cope with heat and drought. With professional treatments, including nutrient applications and pest care, and along with light touch maintenance, you can keep your trees and shrubs healthy.
Fall Tree and Shrub Preparation
Fall is an ideal time to prepare trees and shrubs for winter dormancy, while avoiding stimulation of new growth. An early fall application of root-focused fertilizer is an important practice to support root development during the dormant season. To prevent fungal diseases that overwinter, professionals may recommend fungicide treatments in late fall. Additionally, insect treatments can target eggs and larvae present in soil or buds before winter arrives.
Winter Protection for Ornamental Trees and Garden Shrubs
During the winter months, trees and shrubs are dormant until buds begin to open (or they begin to blossom) in spring. The primary goals at this time are to protect your plants and check for insects or diseases. Dormant oil is the main treatment used to kill overwintering pests, as a thin coating of oil smothers insects and eggs before they can cause damage in spring. While winter treatment is less intensive than other seasons, professional tree and shrub care focuses on identifying damage and keeping pests and diseases at bay.
Talk to Us About Tree and Shrub Care in North Texas
At Green Top Lawn Care we offer a range of top residential lawn care services to maintain a healthy, vibrant yard throughout the year. To discuss our expert tree and shrub care solutions, speak with our team today. Call (817) 684-4044 or request a free tree and shrub care quote.
