There are a few things you can do in the fall to reduce failures and encourage growth.
1. Fertilize Your Trees
By fertilizing in the fall, some of the nutrients will have a chance to be absorbed by the roots and will already be in the ground when the roots resume functioning in the spring.
Since we don't see the roots, we often don't realize that they continue growing and absorbing nutrients long after the leaves fall and begin work again in the spring before the leaves return. After all, they must be absorbing nutrients and water to enable the leaves to resume growth.
2. Plant New Trees
Fall is a great time to plant, less stress from the sun and cooler temperatures encourage growth. Newly planted trees have a greater chance of survival with increased root growth during the winter months.
3. Properly Prune Trees
Pruning during the fall reduces the failures that occur due to storms. Opening up the canopy allows for more wind to flow through cutting down on the wind sail effect on the canopy.
