Fall Tree Care for Commercial Properties: Essential Practices for Health and Longevity

As the fall season approaches, it’s crucial to give attention to tree care on commercial properties. Proper maintenance during this period can ensure trees stay healthy through the colder months, thrive in the spring, and contribute to the overall appeal of your landscape. Here are three essential practices for keeping your commercial property’s trees in top shape this fall: deep root feeding, pruning, and winter watering.

1. Deep Root Feeding for Strong Growth

Deep root feeding is a key element of fall tree care, especially for commercial properties where trees face urban stressors like compacted soil and limited space. This method involves injecting a nutrient-rich fertilizer directly into the root zone, ensuring that the tree gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy through winter and into the growing season.

The benefits of deep root feeding include:

• Improved nutrient absorption: Unlike surface fertilization, deep root feeding delivers nutrients where they’re most needed—below the surface. This method helps trees access essential nutrients more effectively, even in compacted urban soils.
  Stronger root systems: Feeding trees before winter encourages robust root development, which is crucial for surviving cold temperatures and preparing for spring growth.
• Stress relief: Trees on commercial properties often face more stress due to high traffic and pollution. Deep root feeding helps mitigate these factors by promoting overall tree health.

At Monarch Tree Services, we recommend scheduling deep root feeding in the fall to give trees the best chance at staying healthy year-round.

2. Pruning for Health and Safety

Fall is also the perfect time to prune your trees. Regular pruning is essential for maintaining the structure and appearance of trees on commercial properties. More importantly, it promotes tree health and safety by removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches.

Key reasons to prune in the fall:

• Disease prevention: Pruning in the cooler fall months reduces the risk of diseases spreading since many pests and pathogens are less active during this time.
• Improved safety: Removing weak or damaged branches helps prevent potential hazards during winter storms when heavy snow and ice can cause branches to break.
• Enhanced aesthetics: Well-pruned trees enhance the overall appearance of your commercial property, creating a more inviting and professional environment for clients, tenants, or employees.

Fall pruning allows trees to recover and grow stronger for the upcoming spring while minimizing the risk of damage during winter.

3. Winter Watering for Dormant Trees

Winter watering is often overlooked but is critical for tree survival, especially in regions with dry winters. While trees enter dormancy during winter, they still require water to maintain root health. Commercial properties can experience drought stress in trees during winter if proper watering isn't done.

Best practices for winter watering:

• Water before the ground freezes: Make sure to water trees thoroughly in the fall before the first hard freeze to ensure that the root systems are well-hydrated.
• Focus on young trees: Younger trees are particularly vulnerable to drought stress during winter. Deep watering will ensure they have the moisture needed to survive the winter months.
• Water during dry spells: If your area experiences extended periods without precipitation, water the trees during the winter to prevent dehydration.

Trees are a significant investment in any commercial landscape, and winter watering ensures that this investment remains healthy and vibrant come spring.

Next Steps

Caring for your trees in the fall is critical to maintaining their health and longevity. With deep root feeding, proper pruning, and winter watering, you can ensure that your trees will not only survive the winter but thrive in the spring. At Monarch Tree Services, we specialize in providing professional tree care for commercial properties, ensuring your landscape remains healthy, safe, and beautiful year-round.

Ready to give your commercial property’s trees the care they deserve? Contact us today to learn more about our fall tree care services!