As the grey clouds of winter start to evaporate and the long-missed sun finally emerges, for a little while at least – after all, this is Britain – we can finally, thankfully, say that spring has returned.
One advantage of the dark greyness of winter is that you can’t see all the stray fallen branches, the matting of weeds and the confetti of dead brown leaves that cover your garden. But now that the sun’s out, it’s time for a tidy up.
The first and most important step is preparation. Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail, as the old adage goes.
Preparation
- Prune damaged branches
- Clear fallen leaves
- Weed beds
- Rid the area of any unwanted mess
The wind in winter can be violent, and while we can hide from it indoors, our trees suffer the full brunt of it. Winter storms not only create breakages, but they can weaken your trees as well. Therefore it’s so important, now that the winds have calmed a little, to check and make sure that your trees and their largest limbs are stable. If you notice any weaknesses it may be time for a little precision surgery to avoid an accident occurring in the warmer months when you and others are more likely to be in your garden.
Where there is damage, pests and diseases find their opportunity. A broken limb can be their playground to monopolise and fester, thriving within and eventually killing our beloved trees. And, as they are most numerous when the weather gets warmer, it’s all the more important to deal with wounds on your trees sooner rather than later.
If you think your tree might be infested or its health is compromised in some way, don’t hesitate to contact us. One of our arborists will be with you ASAP to let you know if any further action is required.
Feed and Renew
- Nutritional fertiliser
- Mulch
- Plant
Trees have cravings too. After a long winter they will be hungry and in need of just the right combination of nutrients in order to stay strong and produce a healthy growth of leaves and flowers this spring and summer. It is, therefore, important for many species of trees to provide them with nutritional fertiliser. If you are struggling to know which trees need what care, or you’d just like a little additional advice, we’re always on hand.
Spring is also a great time to plant new trees, though when and where are two things it’s vital to get right or you compromise your sapling’s chances of survival.
You might be looking at the word ‘mulch’ and wondering if that’s a typo… Well it’s not. Mulching is what keeps soil healthy and tree roots happy and satisfied. It’s a combination of organic residues such as leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scraps and much more that’s applied to the base of your trees to help the soil retain its moisture, maintain its temperature and improve its fertility.
Observe
- Standing water
- Flood damage
- Insects
- Disease
Before you can completely step back and admire your garden, we have to take a closer look to ensure everything is A-okay. Did we miss anything? Are your trees ready for the sunny seasons that are to follow?
While water is an essential life-giving element for any tree, too much of it can cause problems, encouraging insects, rot and fungi. Make sure that your garden drains well and address any standing water issues.
If you would like any help preparing your trees for the springtime, call us on 0208 292 8992. We’re always happy to pop round or to help with a little advice or assistance
