With the cooler months on the way, are your trees in good shape? You may be wondering which fall chores are of any real use in seeing them through the winter. Or if that limb overhanging the driveway is likely to stand up to the next storm.
You have come to the right place if such things are on your mind. We at Truetimber Arborists have been tending to trees in the region since 1998 as a Richmond company of our own making. Call (804) 376-8094 and we can put your mind at ease about what the yard requires before the last of the leaves drop.
There is no better time to put some investment into your trees than in the autumn. Summer’s heat has passed, growth is decelerating and your trees are putting their energy into their roots. It is a sensible time to do some pruning or feeding and get ahead of things. The following are tips we put in front of Richmond homeowners more often than not.
The Case for Fall Tree Care
Do not think your trees are just going to sleep with the weather. Underfoot the root systems are hard at work, taking in nutrients and stockpiling energy for spring. With the ground retaining its warmth well after it gets nippy in the air, you will find fall is conducive to root development.
Then again, central Virginia sees its share of wind and rain in the fall and the odd cold snap. A tree under stress or with weak branches is prone to giving way in a storm; a measure of care now goes a long way toward averting damage.
Tasks for the Season
We would have you or a pro see to these before the onset of winter:
- Have a look for any dead or cracked limbs, ones that might be brought down by a storm
- Prune as the trees go dormant to aid in healing and lessen stress
- Rake up leaves so they do not hold moisture and invite disease
- Put down mulch at the base to keep the roots insulated and moist
- Do not let drought stress linger past summer, water deeply when it is dry
- Check for pests or fungus and put a stop to them before they have all winter to spread
- If you are thinking of planting, there is no better season for it here
Leave the heavy lifting and health assessments of large limbs to those with the training. Not all of this is a DIY affair and we are happy to oblige.
Trouble Spots to Note
Some issues will show themselves, others do not until you are past the point of no return. Be on the lookout for a new lean on a tree, bare branches in the growing season, peeling bark or mushrooms at the trunk.
Our arborists are ISA Certified and carry the TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) to properly judge if a tree is a hazard or not. On top of that, each member of our crew has put in his time at the Truetimber Academy, our own certification program, for work that is as knowledgeable as it is consistent.
Putting Food in the Roots
What is happening below ground is too often ignored in the fall. Our plant health care division is on hand for deep root fertilization and soil treatments to manage drought stress and see your trees through the cold. We deal with tree pests and diseases and have growth regulators for those that need to be reined in.
It is all part of being a good steward of the landscape; we like to see strong, full trees in the spring. That is the kind of care we put into every job, something Friends of James River Park took note of in 2014 when they made us a “River Hero”.
Make the Call
We are licensed and insured and cover all of Richmond and environs from the Fan and Church Hill to Forest Hill and Carytown, as well as the Near West End, Bon Air, Midlothian, Short Pump, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville and over in Yorktown.
An emergency does not wait for the office to open. Should a tree be a threat to the home or a limb falls, we are available day or night. For anything planned we will return a call in 24 business hours.
To have your team of professionals at Truetimber Arborists make sure your trees are set for the seasons to come, give us a ring at (804) 376-8094 for a free estimate.
