With the cooler months on the horizon, are your trees in good shape? You may be wondering which fall chores are a must to safeguard them and which can be put off. Then there is the matter of a winter storm and the prospect of a feeble branch coming down on the roof.
For an answer to any of these concerns you have come to the right place. We at EZ Tree Inc are a family run, locally operated firm out of Vallejo with over 20 years of experience tending to trees in Solano County and beyond. An ISA Certified Arborist (WE-10215A) is part of our staff to see that homeowners’ trees are healthy all year round. Contact us at (707) 361-9404.
There is no better time of year to turn your attention to your trees than in the fall. The summer heat is behind you and the trees are winding down; what you put into them now will show when spring comes around. A few things to consider if you live in Solano County.
Why make tree care a priority in the fall?
As it gets colder and the trees become dormant they are not as hard on by pruning or similar work. Any cuts you make in the fall or winter will be well closed by the time the season for growth is upon you. Infection from fresh wounds is less of a worry since pests and disease are not as active. Deciduous trees have shed their leaves so you can see the structure of the branches and find trouble spots that were obscured in the leafy days of summer.
A word about storms
You can expect wind and rain this winter in our part of the country. What was a perfectly serviceable branch in September could be a hazard come January. Put in some time walking the property to have a good look at each tree. Be on the lookout for:
- Branches, dead or otherwise, that are in danger of falling
- Splits or cracks at the junction of the trunk and a large limb
- Leaning that is new or has progressed
- Mushrooms, fungus or softness at the base of the trunk
- Roots heaving up the pavement or soil
- Patches where one would expect to see leaves
Should you see such signs we recommend a professional opinion. Our arborist is able to put his finger on the problem and put you on the right path.
Prune for a reason
It is well to clear away weak or dead growth in the fall before the winter weather makes it a liability. But do it the proper way. Bad cuts and over-pruning will only open the tree to disease and lasting harm. Stick to the diseased, crossing and dead branches and do not put more stress on a tree than necessary. If the job calls for large limbs or high canopies, let a licensed and insured crew with the equipment for it handle it.
Cabling and bracing for support
Occasionally a tree has a structural deficiency that cannot be remedied with a pruner. Cabling or bracing will keep a tree with co-dominant limbs or a split trunk upright in a storm by way of distributing the load. Make arrangements in the fall to have this done and the support will be there when the winds of winter set in.
Root feeding
To put energy in reserve for the spring and make up for a protracted dry summer, fertilize in the fall. Though not all trees require it and the wrong kind of nutrients can be detrimental, a sound diagnosis will indicate what is called for.
Weed and fire abatement
One does not have to be told in Solano County how fast a fire can start from dry brush. Clearing the dead growth is a sensible thing to do in the fall. We provide mulching and abatement of weeds and fire in addition to our regular tree services for a safe and sound landscape.
EZ Tree Inc has been the local team of choice in Fairfield, Concord, Martinez, Napa, Vacaville, Cordelia, Benicia, American Canyon and Vallejo for two decades or more. We are fully licensed and insured and stand ready with 24-hour emergency service seven days a week between 7 and 7. Free estimates are available.
Let our certified people give your trees the protection they need of this fall before winter sets in. Call (707) 361-9404.
