Our Arborists’ Top 5 Winter Yard Care Tips

After months of maintenance, winter gives homeowners a well-deserved break from most yard care tasks. But treating your lawn to a little more TLC now can pay off come springtime. You won’t need to be quite as attentive this time of year as during growing seasons, but here are some simple steps you can take now for a healthier landscape in the future.

1. Clean It Up

If you haven’t already done so, do an early winter cleanup to clear away any lingering yard debris. Large branches, logs, and dead plants can invite insects and disease which could damage your trees and gardens. Leftover debris could also prevent your grass from getting the sunlight it needs to thrive. It doesn’t have to be complicated: just clear away leaves and branches and continue to do so as they fall through the winter.

2. Prune Like the Pros

Winter is prime time for pruning. Many trees and shrubs are dormant, meaning you won’t interfere with new growth if you trim them back now. In fact, pruning now can actually encourage better growth next season. Bare branches also have better visibility, making it easier to ensure you’re cutting properly.

For small trees and shrubs, feel free to try your hand at DIY pruning. Just make sure you have the proper equipment and you’re following the right schedule: oaks should be pruned in December or January, while deciduous species are better-suited for late-winter pruning. For larger trees, call in the experts. We have the equipment and know-how for safe branch removal.

3. Tread Lightly

Cooler winter weather may have you spending more time indoors, but when you do venture out, be mindful of where you’re walking. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda grass and zoysia are dormant in the winter and won’t recover from damage as easily as they do during growing seasons. Treading frequently across your lawn could stunt springtime growth, so to give your grass a much-needed rest by limiting foot traffic. And when it comes to mowing, follow this simple adage: Mow while it grows. When grass is dormant, keep the blades away!

4. Nourish Your Landscape

Even though your grass, trees, and shrubs may not be actively producing this season, nourishing them now can promote heartier growth in the spring. Fertilizing in the late fall is recommended, but skip it if you’ve already had a frost, as vulnerable plants may struggle trying to take up the added nutrients.

Another way to nourish your plants is to mulch around your trees and gardens. Mulch locks in nutrients and moisture while also deterring winter weeds. Plus, having a few inches of added insulation can protect root systems against freezing temps — especially important for saplings and other young plants.

5. Protect Vulnerable Plants

Speaking of susceptible plants, now is the time to keep new trees or shrubs and other at-risk foliage protected against cold snaps. Beyond mulching, you can wrap plants prone to frost damage in burlap for a layer of protection. While most established species in northern hardiness zones will fare just fine through a frost, homeowners in southern climates will want to protect their more fragile foliage. Cover succulents, hibiscus, tree ferns, citrus, and bougainvillea loosely with fabric to promote airflow. Remove the burlap promptly after the frost warning has passed to prevent overheating.

Schedule a Tree Service With Premier Tree Solutions

If you have any trees that need professional pruning, now is the best time of year to schedule a service. Rely on Premier Tree Solutions for our expertise in branch removal and tree shaping to promote a healthy landscape year-round. To request a free assessment, contact us here or by calling 404.252.6448.

The Importance of Vegetation Clearing

If you have acres of land, it might make sense to keep some portions of your property wooded. But for most moderately sized lots, clearing away vegetation is the best way to care for your landscape. Here’s what vegetation clearing can do for you.

Keep Pests at Bay

Thick patches of overgrown weeds and shrubs, plus dead trees, stumps, and logs all make for the perfect pest hideaway. From gypsy moths to wood borers, these unwanted insects can spread across your property and target your healthy trees next. Destructive rodents like voles and rats are also more likely to inhabit overgrown areas, but clearing away vegetation can prevent them from taking up residence in your yard.

Prevent Disease

Overgrown vegetation often retains moisture, creating a breeding ground for fungi and other microbes that can harm your lawn. By clearing away excess foliage, you’ll increase air circulation, allowing plants to dry thoroughly. Vegetation clearing also eliminates any unwanted foliage that may already be infected with disease, to preserve the healthy trees and shrubs around the area.

Maintain a Safe Property

A well-manicured yard is safer for several reasons. For one, it provides fewer places in which to stay concealed, helping to deter would-be trespassers. For another, it’s easier to navigate. Whether your little neighbor’s ball rolls into your yard, or you’re retrieving a wayward pet, having full accessibility throughout your property can promote safety for everyone.

Give Plants Resources to Thrive

Every living thing on your lawn needs resources like moisture, nutrients from the soil, and sunlight. The more vegetation you have, the fewer resources are left for the rest of your lawn. For hardy trees, blooming shrubs and flower gardens, and a lush lawn, eliminate unwanted vegetation so there are more resources for the plants you do want to thrive.

Provide More Functional Space

Many homeowners feel they could benefit from having a larger yard, but without moving to a new house, that’s rarely a possibility. If you have overgrown vegetation, however, you’re in a unique position to add more functional space to your yard. Whether you’ve always envisioned having a bigger backyard barbecue space or you’re thinking of testing out your green thumb with a garden, there are endless possibilities for transforming wooded areas so they add more value to your home.

Enhance the Aesthetic

Even if you don’t foresee a new outdoor feature going in where your vegetation once was, clearing it out can still deliver value from a visual standpoint. Overgrowth tends to be messy and unkempt, whereas open space can make your yard appear neater—and larger. If privacy is a concern, hedges like arborvitaes can still serve as a natural barrier while looking tidy. And should you ever consider putting your home on the market, this boosted curb appeal can be an attractive feature that helps your property get noticed.

Schedule Land Clearing With Premier Tree Solutions

From routine pruning to larger land clearing projects, Premier Tree Solutions can handle all of your tree care needs. Our tree specialists have the tools and techniques to make quick work of land clearing while maintaining the safety and integrity of your surrounding property. To request a free assessment, send us a digital message or call 404.252.6448.