Arbor Docs VA

WARM WEATHER TREE CARE

Recognizing the Problem

The first step in solving a problem is recognizing that there is a problem in the first place. That means recognizing the symptoms of a drought early on. Don’t wait for brittle, dried up shrubs to realize that the dry weather may be an issue. Watch out for:

• Wilting, a prime example of drought symptom
• Yellowing leaves or needles
• Early leaf/needle drop
• Cracks in bark
• Branch dieback
• A thinning canopy
• Stunted growth
• Scorched needles or leaves

It is also important to remember that these types of symptoms may be substantially delayed. While you may just be noticing them this year, it is possible that the problems causing these symptoms may have really begun as far back as a year or two ago! If you do notice these symptoms in your trees or shrubs, err on the side of caution and rule out early detection. Take immediate action and assume that you’re addressing an advanced problem from the outset.

How You Can Help Your Plants

Now that you know what to look for in terms of issues caused by drought, it’s time to move into even trickier terrain: solving those issues. Some of these are a bit obvious in theory, but even those are not so clear cut in execution. Take, for instance, the most obvious solution of all.

• Watering – For optimal results, apply water at one time, slowly, soaking deep into the entire root zone. You want to get down to about 8-10 inches. Avoid overhead watering, and watering in the middle of the day, opting instead for soaker hoses, direct spraying of roots, or trickle irrigation methods.
• Location – Sun exposure, soil moisture, wind exposure — any variable can make or break your plant or tree in the long run. Seeing signs of drought damage because your tree is in way too sunny of a spot means you’ve already made a serious mistake. Choosing the right site for the right plant starts plants off strong, helping them to stave off the effects of drought all the better as they age.
• Spacing – Do not overcrowd your plants. This means thinking about the future, taking into account how big and wide those plants or trees will be down the road. If you have trees that weren’t all that close together when they were saplings but are now more mature and are really fighting for water resources, then you’ve brought the battle of the fittest into your yard!
• Mulching – Placing mulch around your plantings not only looks good, but it will help combat drought too. A 1-to-2-inch layer of mulch will help to cool the soil, prevent water loss and can also act as a weed barrier.

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How We Can Help Your Plants

There is a lot that can be done to help your landscape cope with the current conditions. Listed below are some of the most impactful services we offer to help achieve that goal.

• Deep Root Watering – Many municipalities are under strict or total water bans, greatly limiting your own ability to help your plants. However, with our specialized equipment, we are able to bring water directly to your location, and then water your trees or shrubs with a highly efficient deep root water injection. This process allows us to provide water directly to the feeder roots of the target plant, greatly benefiting the plant while minimizing wasted water.
• Growth Regulators – Tree Tech can apply growth regulators to certain trees or shrubs, and they provide much more benefit than the name suggests. In addition to slowing the growth of a plant, growth regulators also help plants reduce water losses through their leaves during hot and dry weather. Treated plants can also end up with thicker, greener leaves for enhanced beauty, a nice contrast to the current state of our landscape.
• Soil Amendments – The use of bio stimulants and other soil amendments can help improve plant vigor and drought hardiness. Containing items such as sea kelp, yucca extract, and beneficial bacteria, they are often used in agriculture to minimize the water needs of crops, and these benefits carry over to landscape plants in drought situations. We are able to provide these compounds directly to the root zone of the intended plant, providing an immediate and significant benefit.

There is a lot of science to consider when drought does begin to take hold. When the soil is extremely dry, for instance, a reverse osmosis effect can lead what little water there is in your plant’s root system to transfer out into the dry soil surrounding it.

This, along with issues such as the shrinkage of cell membranes in the roots—leading to gaps between soil and roots—can really compound problems. Setting plants up for success with proper watering, placement, and spacing will give them a much greater chance of thriving, even when drought does strike.

Schedule Your Warm Weather Tree Care

We won’t leave you high and dry. If you’re uncertain about how to proceed with caring for your plants during this dry time, we’re happy to help you find the solutions you need. Contact us today with any questions that you may have.

Thinking About a Tree Removal?

There are certain tree removals that cannot wait. If a tree has been determined to be an immediate safety hazard. In these cases, you obviously want to get that tree out of there as soon as possible.

Other tree removals can absolutely wait, though, and the incentive may be there to put it off until winter. Winter may be a great time for tree services, but customers still aren’t convinced sometimes. They want everything done in the spring and summer, and that causes a bottleneck in the industry.

COLD WEATHER TREE CARE

Winter in this area of Virginia is a special time in a special place. There are also a lot of special considerations to be made that aren’t of concern in warmer parts of the country.

Winter isn’t exactly the “off-season” like many think. Winter is a perfectly viable time of the year for ongoing tree care, and it actually offers up some seasonally specific advantages for tree care, too.

Transitioning Into Winter Care

There are a few jobs that the transitional period approaching winter is perfect for. Pruning, for instance, is the perfect type of service to schedule for this time. Homeowners aren’t thinking about their trees as much right now, because they’re not in bloom or changing colors, and people generally stay indoors more than they do during the spring, summer, and autumn months. 

However, the fact that trees are dormant at this time of the year makes pruning ideal. It’s not as though the trees will be damaged during cold weather pruning – no more than they would be during the summer months, if the job weren’t done right. Our team adheres to the same strict methods of pruning and tree care in the winter that they do in the summer, and we’ll make sure your trees are pruned and healthy for the spring.

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Additional Benefits of Winter Pruning

• Certain overgrown trees and shrubs benefit from a late winter rejuvenation. Pruning at that time minimizes any negative appearance as the plants will put out a flush of growth and look natural.
• Reducing heavy, out-of-proportion limbs this time of year will help prevent breakage from more growth in the coming spring and enable plants to respond appropriately.
• Cuts made during the dormant season are less likely to attract insects that carry disease and spread bacteria or fungi to trees.
• Removing limbs that are damaged or weak during the winter season makes the tree stronger and more prepared for serious winter weather.
• Less stress is put on trees when pruning happens during the dormant season, meaning that healthy growth is promoted when spring arrives.
• The lack of leaves is a good thing when it comes to pruning because it’s easier to spot healthy limb structure vs. compromised areas where pruning would do the best.
• More sunlight is allowed through the canopy and, with sunlight being in such short supply during our shorter winter days, benefits grass and ground-level plants.

Additional Benefits of Winter Pruning

• Certain overgrown trees and shrubs benefit from a late winter rejuvenation. Pruning at that time minimizes any negative appearance as the plants will put out a flush of growth and look natural.
• Reducing heavy, out-of-proportion limbs this time of year will help prevent breakage from more growth in the coming spring and enable plants to respond appropriately.
• Cuts made during the dormant season are less likely to attract insects that carry disease and spread bacteria or fungi to trees.
• Removing limbs that are damaged or weak during the winter season makes the tree stronger and more prepared for serious winter weather.
• Less stress is put on trees when pruning happens during the dormant season, meaning that healthy growth is promoted when spring arrives.
• The lack of leaves is a good thing when it comes to pruning because it’s easier to spot healthy limb structure vs. compromised areas where pruning would do the best.
• More sunlight is allowed through the canopy and, with sunlight being in such short supply during our shorter winter days, benefits grass and ground-level plants.

Winter Interest Shrubs & Trees

In Virginia, several shrubs benefit from winter pruning, especially those that bloom on new wood (growth produced in the current year) or need to be maintained for shape and health. Winter pruning is typically done during dormancy, from late fall to early spring, before new growth starts.

Shrubs That Benefit from Winter Pruning:

1. Roses (Rosa spp.): Most types of roses, especially hybrid teas, floribundas, and grandifloras, benefit from winter pruning. Pruning helps remove dead or diseased wood, encourages air circulation, and promotes vigorous new growth and blooming.
2. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii): This shrub blooms on new wood, so pruning in late winter or early spring encourages more abundant flowering. Cut back the plant to about 12-24 inches above the ground.
3. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): Although technically a small tree, crape myrtle benefits from winter pruning to shape and remove any suckers, dead, or weak wood. Pruning encourages robust blooming and maintains the plant’s desired form.
4. Hydrangeas (Panicle and Smooth Types):
• Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata): This hydrangea blooms on new wood and should be pruned in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and larger flower heads.
• Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens): Like panicle hydrangeas, these also bloom on new wood and should be pruned back to about 6-12 inches from the ground.
5. Spirea (Spiraea spp.): Many types of spirea, such as Japanese spirea (Spiraea japonica), bloom on new wood. Pruning in winter or early spring can help maintain shape and encourage a more floriferous display.
6. Red-Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea): Pruning this shrub in winter helps promote new growth, which results in more vibrant red stems in winter. Cut back one-third of the oldest stems to the ground each year to rejuvenate the plant.
7. Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana): This shrub can be pruned in late winter to early spring to encourage dense growth and more prolific berry production in the fall.
8. Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): Pruning in winter helps maintain a more compact shape and encourages healthy new growth. It also removes older, less vigorous wood.
9. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Although more of a sub-shrub, Russian sage benefits from a hard prune in late winter to promote a flush of new growth and abundant blooms.

In Virginia, certain trees benefit from winter pruning to promote healthy growth, maintain structure, and remove dead or diseased branches. Pruning in winter is often ideal because trees are dormant, making them less susceptible to pests and diseases, and it’s easier to see the tree’s structure without leaves. Here are some trees in Virginia that typically need winter pruning:

Trees That Benefit from Winter Pruning:

1. Maple Trees (Acer spp.): Although it can be done in winter, pruning in late winter to early spring is often better because maples bleed sap when cut. However, this sap flow is not harmful and can help seal wounds. Prune to remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
2. Oak Trees (Quercus spp.): Winter pruning is essential for oaks to prevent the spread of oak wilt, a fungal disease that can be transmitted by insects attracted to fresh cuts. Pruning in winter, when these insects are not active, reduces the risk of infection.
3. Apple and Pear Trees (Malus spp. and Pyrus spp.): These fruit trees benefit from annual winter pruning to maintain their shape, remove dead or diseased wood, and encourage the production of fruiting spurs. Pruning helps improve air circulation and sunlight penetration, which reduces the risk of disease and promotes better fruit quality.
4. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): While often considered a shrub, mature crape myrtles can grow into small trees. They benefit from winter pruning to remove dead wood and encourage blooming on new wood. Be careful not to over-prune, as this can lead to weak growth.
5. Cherry Trees (Prunus spp.): Pruning in late winter helps maintain a healthy structure and removes any dead or crossing branches. This is particularly important for ornamental cherry trees to promote better flowering.
6. Elm Trees (Ulmus spp.): Winter is a good time to prune elms to improve their shape and remove any dead or damaged limbs. It also helps in controlling Dutch elm disease by removing infected branches.
7. Poplar Trees (Populus spp.): Prune in winter to remove weak, diseased, or dead branches and maintain a stable structure, especially since poplars can be prone to breaking in strong winds due to their brittle wood.
8. Dogwood Trees (Cornus florida): While minimal pruning is generally recommended, winter is a good time to remove any dead or diseased wood or to thin out congested branches to improve air circulation.
9. Willow Trees (Salix spp.): Pruning willows in winter helps to manage their rapid growth and maintain their shape. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches.
10. Ash Trees (Fraxinus spp.): Prune in winter to remove dead or dying branches and improve air circulation within the tree canopy. This is particularly important to prevent the spread of pests like the emerald ash borer.

Schedule Your Wintertime Tree Services

We understand why homeowners looking to stay warm and cozy inside may not have their trees at the top of their minds during the winter season. However, there are several benefits to winter tree care and taking advantage of frozen ground. We’ll make sure your trees are ready to go when the warmer weather arrives in southwest Virginia  Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of winter tree services.