Seasonal care of trees & shrubs: Stem and branch protection

The stems of landscape trees and shrubs may need protection from animals or mechanical equipment, especially during the winter months. Animal damage (feeding or rubbing) can be avoided by placing wire mesh or hardware cloth at least 3” from the stem. Mechanical damage (e.g. lawn mower or weed whip abrasion) can be avoided when a mulch ring (see mulch) or a plastic guard is in place. The plastic guard should only encase the portion of the lower stem that is most likely to be damaged by lawn equipment. As the tree grows the plastic guard will need to be removed and replaced in order to prevent girdling or stem constriction.

Seasonal care of trees & shrubs: Fertilizing

The recommendations in this chart refer only to nitrogen applications. Before fertilizing your landscape with a complete fertilizer (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium), contact a soil testing laboratory for a basic soil test [For MN only: U of MN Soil Testing Labratory]. A basic soil test will provide you with readings on organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity, macronutrients and micronutrients (Smiley, 2003). Soil testing laboratories may offer timing and quantity recommendations for complete fertilizers (N-P-K).

Seasonal care for trees & shrubs: Staking or guying

Staking and guying of trees is rarely needed and is only necessary when the tree will not stand up on its own. These practices may be necessary for 1-3 years while roots are growing and beginning to stabilize the tree. Check attachment points on the stem every 3 to 6 months, loosen if necessary and remove within one year of placement.

Seasonal care of trees & shrubs: Pruning deciduous branches

How to prune trees is an excellent publication designed to illustrate the types of pruning that can be done, how pruning cuts are made, when to prune different plants, and more.

Trees:
Waiting until the plant is dormant is the safest time to do any live-branch pruning. However, unless the tree or shrub is susceptible to infectious disease (e.g., oak wilt, fire blight), removal of weak, diseased, crossing, rubbing, or dead limbs can be done throughout the year if needed.

Seasonal care of trees & shrubs: Shearing evergreen shrubs

Evergreen shrub shearing is a practice that can be used to maintain a geometric and formal shape of the plant. It is important to note, however, that once a shape has been formed yearly maintenance is required to preserve the design.

Seasonal care for trees & shrubs: pruning evergreens

Removal of weak, diseased, or broken branches, along with double leaders or dead evergreen branches can be done at any time with little consequence to tree health. “Conifers may be pruned any time of year, but pruning during the dormant season may minimize sap and resin flow from cut branches” (Bedker et al., 1996).

Seasonal care for trees & shrubs: Mulching

Mulching with organic mulches (e.g. leaves, needles, hardwood and softwood bark and wood, grass, cocoa hulls, straw, etc.) helps to maintain tree health by aiding in water retention, inhibiting weed development, protecting from lawn mowing equipment, offering a layer of insulation during cold weather and adding organic matter into the soil (Carlson, 2003). At planting or transplanting time add a mulch layer 2-4″ deep around the tree as wide as you can tolerate but, to avoid stem damage, not against the trunk. Mature trees can be mulched at any time.

Seasonal care of trees & shrubs: Watering

Providing adequate water is one of the most important things you can do to establish and maintain tree health. Watering newly planted/transplanted trees regularly for 3-5 years is critical in establishing healthy trees. Yearly rainfall amounts may or may not be adequate for new trees in the landscape or for established trees; therefore, pay particular attention during the summer and/or periods of drought. Established trees only need to be watered during drought-like conditions. Water until the ground freezes to help reduce the amount of winter damage.

Seasonal care of trees & shrubs: Transplanting

Transplanting is defined as: the digging (aka. uprooting) of a plant from one location for the purpose of moving it to a new location. Typically, during this type of move lots of roots are lost.

Step 1: Things to do before you transplant. Part 1: Preparing for the Move (PDF)

Step 2: How to transplant. Part 2: Making the Move (PDF)

Spring is the best time to transplant softwood species like pine, spruce, fir, hemlock, false cypress, and Atlantic white cedar.

Seasonal Care for Trees and Shrubs in Northern U.S. Climates

Welcome to the world of tree care! In the left hand column of the image below, you will find links to the many maintenance duties you can do to help keep your landscape trees healthy and safe. The accompanying chart highlights the most favorable timing for the listed tree care activities. Below this chart you can find links to other complete chart versions that are larger and easier to read.