You would be hard put to find a milder winter in Minnesota. So are your trees prepared for one? When the snow is flying, you want to have done the fall work that counts. Have you seen any telltale signs on your trees and put off having them looked at?

Birch Tree Care has been on hand to help homeowners in the Twin Cities with their trees since 2015. For some expert advice from an ISA Certified Arborist, give us a ring at (651) 504-6097. Our service area is Minneapolis, St. Paul and the communities in Anoka, Hennepin, Northern Dakota, Ramsey and Washington counties.

There is no better time of year in this state to tend to your trees than in the fall. What you put into them now is what will see them through the wind, heavy snows, and the freeze and thaw of our winters. We have put together the most pertinent steps to take before the cold weather sets in.

The Importance of Fall Care in This Part of the Country

A Minnesota winter takes its toll. You have the frozen ground that prevents water uptake, winds that dry out the branches and ice or snow that will put weak limbs under duress. On top of that, the trees are going dormant come fall, so it is safer and simpler to get certain things done then rather than in the growing season.

But do not let that put you off; these are not complicated tasks to put in your plan once you are aware of them. A bit of autumn attention is well worth it.

Put Some Water on Them Before It Freezes

It is all too common for a homeowner to cease watering ahead of time. Yet trees require moisture as winter approaches, the newly planted ones and young stock in particular. In late fall, prior to the ground turning to stone, a slow and thorough soaking is in order. The roots will remain hydrated in the months to come and you will be less likely to see winter damage.

This is true of evergreens as they will be losing moisture with their needles all winter.

Mulching for the Sake of the Roots

Think of a good coat of mulch as a blanket for the root zone. In our climate the freeze and thaw can be stressful for a tree; mulch will cushion the roots, hold in moisture and keep the soil temperature even.

Some points to observe when you mulch:

• Put down two to four inches of the organic kind
• Work it out to the drip line
• Leave a few inches of space at the trunk
• Do not make a “volcano” of it against the bark
• Put in some new mulch where the old has disintegrated

Prune Properly

With the trees in a dormant state, early winter and late fall present a good opportunity to prune. Get rid of any dead or wayward branches and you will be less apt to have them give way to the weight of snow and ice.

That said, do not be hasty about it. A poor cut can compromise the tree and open it to disease. And if there are large limbs to contend with, or storm damage, or anything near power lines and the house, leave it to a pro. Our ISA Certified Arborists understand how to prune for the long term health of the tree as well as for safety.

Pests and Disease Are Worth a Look

Make it a point to check over your trees in the fall. The Emerald Ash Borer is still a menace to ash in the Twin Cities and the sooner you spot it the more options you have for treatment.

We at Birch Tree Care are involved in the community in this regard, with the Fridley Emerald Ash Borer Program and the Watermark Community Tree Planting to name a couple of our efforts. Property owners and organisations also rely on us for tree inventory and mapping by way of GIS to monitor their trees.

Then again, it is easy to overlook a pest or disease issue until the harm is done. Should you come across dieback, odd holes in the canopy or bark that does not look right, we suggest an arborist should be called in to assess it.

Have Us Do a Free Inspection

If you are in any doubt as to how your trees will fare this winter, let a professional have a look and lay out a plan. We are fully licensed and insured and have been tending to local trees since 2015. From pruning to treatment or just some straight talk on what is needed before the snow comes, we are here to assist.

We provide 24/7 plant health care and tree services in the Twin Cities and our Inspections are free of charge. Come spring, our tree and shrub fertilization can help your trees bounce back stronger after the long winter.

Why put it off until a storm makes it an issue? Be confident heading into the season. Contact Birch Tree Care at (651) 504-6097 to set up your Free Inspection and put your mind at ease.