As the long winter cold and frost retreat and the first signs of spring emerge, trees and shrubs awaken from their dormant state, ready to burst into vibrant life. Spring is a crucial season for tree care, offering a unique opportunity to support their growth, health, and resilience throughout the coming months. Below are some tips for landowners on spring tree and shrub care.
Tips for Spring Tree Care
Assessing Winter Damage
Before beginning active care of your trees, it is essential to assess any potential winter damage to trees and other landscape plants. Inspect the branches, trunk, and roots for signs of stress, such as broken limbs, cracks, or lifted roots. Snow and ice can cause substantial harm, and addressing these issues early can prevent further damage and promote healthy recovery.
Assessing Winter Burn and Dieback Damage
Many coniferous tree species, including spruces and cedars, are showing symptoms of winter burn, evident in the browning and bronzing of their needles. The combination of intense cold and strong winter winds can lead to desiccation of plant tissues, resulting in needle loss in evergreen trees and dieback of branches in deciduous trees. This dieback is a survival strategy, allowing trees to sacrifice needles and twigs in order to protect overall tree health and survival.
Assessing for Pests
Before leaf-out, it is a great opportunity to inspect trees and shrubs for pests. During your inspection, look for the following signs:
Diseases such as cankers (dead sections of bark on branches or tree trunks), blackened and curled twigs, black knot, Cytospora canker, and other fungal infections and decay.
Signs of insect infestation such as scales, mites, beetles, and borers (exit holes and sawdust).
Wildlife damage, including porcupines, voles, deer, moose, and beaver.
Pruning
Late winter and early spring are the best times to prune trees. Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches to promote air circulation and reduce the risk of pest infestation. Additionally, selective pruning can improve tree structure and fruit production. However, be cautious not to over-prune, as this can stress the tree. Dead branches within shelterbelts should also be removed, as they can pose fire risks.
Soil Health Assessment
Healthy soil is the foundation of strong tree growth. Conduct a soil test to determine pH and nutrient levels and identify any nutrient deficiencies. Soil probes for collecting samples are available for rent through the Rocky View County Agricultural Services Department.
Fertilize only based on soil test results, and avoid fertilizing if your lawn is regularly fertilized, as trees are likely receiving adequate nutrients. Adjust soil pH only if necessary and apply a balanced fertilizer to replenish essential nutrients. Slow-release fertilizers are often preferable, as they provide a steady nutrient supply throughout the growing season.
Avoid excessive fertilization, as it can lead to nutrient imbalances and harm the tree. Fertilizers injected into the soil and fertilizer spikes may promote leaf growth but can cause trees to neglect important functions such as root development and pest resistance. Fertilizer spikes, in particular, can burn roots and lead to root dieback.
Mulching
Re-mulching and adding wood chips up to a 4–6-inch-thick layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or wood chips, replicates what nature creates on the forest floor. Known as duff, this accumulation of twigs, leaves, and other organic debris fosters rich microbial activity beneficial to tree roots.
Mulching is a fundamental practice to shield roots. One of the primary advantages of tree mulching is its role in soil enrichment. Organic mulches gradually decompose, releasing essential nutrients into the soil. This process enhances soil fertility, promoting healthier tree growth. The decomposition of mulch also improves soil structure, aiding in water retention and drainage.
Mulching inhibits weed growth, protects roots from extreme heat, and retains moisture. Establishing a donut-shaped wood chip cover around your tree is a simple yet efficient approach to conserve moisture and minimize soil freezing.
Watering
As dry fall and winter conditions leave little moisture available to trees, watering is crucial in early spring. Proper watering is critical in spring, especially during dry periods. Young trees, in particular, require adequate moisture to establish strong root systems.
Water deeply and consistently, ensuring the root zone is thoroughly saturated. However, be cautious not to overwater, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot. Water at the drip line (the outer edge of the tree canopy) rather than at the trunk, as this is where the most active absorbing roots are located.
Mulching helps retain soil moisture, reducing the frequency of watering. Test your soil and water for sodium levels and avoid watering with high levels of sodium.
Conclusion
By incorporating these tips into your tree care routine, you can create an environment where your trees not only survive but thrive, contributing to the beauty and sustainability of your landscape. Remember, each tree is unique, and understanding its specific needs is the key to successful spring tree care.
Additional Resources
- Winter Damages to Evergreen Trees
- Avoid Mistakes with Black Knot
- Reasons To or Not to Prune Trees
- Site Assessment to Choose Tree Species
- Mulching Trees and Shrubs
- Drought & Watering Trees
- Salt Tolerant Trees and Shrubs Species for Alberta
Written by:
Toso Bozic, ISA Certified Arborist
ATTS Group Inc.