Spring Tree Care

Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to show your trees some love after the harsh winter months (which are nearly over)! Whether you have towering oaks, delicate flowering trees, or a backyard full of greenery, a little attention now can prepare your trees for a healthy, vibrant growing season.

If you’re in New Jersey or the New York area, where the weather can be unpredictable, it’s even more important to get your tree care on track early.

Follow this spring tree care checklist to keep your trees healthy, resilient, and ready for a vibrant growing season.

Check for damage

Harsh winter conditions can leave trees vulnerable to structural damage, making spring tree care essential for their long-term health. Snow, ice, and strong winds can break branches, crack bark, and weaken the tree’s overall stability. Early detection and maintenance can prevent further deterioration and ensure a strong start to the growing season.

What to do: Inspect your trees for damage caused by snow, ice, or strong winds over the winter. Look for broken or cracked branches, wounds, or damaged bark.
Why it matters: Removing damaged parts will help prevent disease and pest problems while encouraging new, healthy growth.

Prune

Pruning is a key part of spring tree care, helping trees recover from winter stress and prepare for a season of healthy growth. Removing dead, broken, or diseased branches directs energy toward new, strong development. For flowering trees like cherries and magnolias, timing is crucial—pruning after they bloom ensures next year’s flowers remain intact. Proper pruning also enhances the tree’s appearance while improving airflow, reducing the risk of disease and pest infestations.

What to do: Trim any dead, broken, or diseased branches to allow your tree to focus its energy on healthy growth. If you have flowering trees (like cherries or magnolias), prune them right after they bloom to avoid cutting off next year’s flowers.
Why it matters: Pruning keeps trees looking neat and helps improve airflow, which can reduce the risk of disease.

Fertilize cautiously

As trees emerge from winter dormancy, they may need an extra boost to regain strength and encourage healthy growth. Since New Jersey’s soil tends to be slightly acidic, nutrient availability can vary. A well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer tailored to your tree species can replenish essential nutrients without overfeeding. Careful fertilization as part of your spring tree service routine helps trees recover from winter stress and prepares them for a vigorous growing season.

What to do: New Jersey’s soil tends to be slightly acidic, which can affect nutrient levels. If your trees have been looking sluggish, a light application of a slow-release fertilizer can help. Be sure to choose one that matches your tree species’ needs.
Why it matters: Fertilizing gives your trees a nutrient boost, helping them recover from winter dormancy and get a strong start for the growing season.

Mulch

Mulching is an easy yet effective spring tree care practice that helps trees thrive as the weather warms up. A proper layer of mulch around the base of your trees locks in moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds. However, piling mulch too close to the trunk can trap excess moisture and invite disease. By applying mulch correctly, you create a stable environment for strong root development, which is especially important in New Jersey’s unpredictable spring climate.

What to do: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of your trees, but do not pile it directly against the trunk. Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate temperature, and keep weeds at bay.
Why it matters: Mulching creates a healthier root zone by maintaining soil moisture and reducing temperature fluctuations—critical for New Jersey’s sometimes unpredictable spring weather!

Water deeply

Proper watering is essential for spring tree care, especially as temperatures begin to rise. New Jersey’s spring weather can be unpredictable, with occasional dry spells that leave trees struggling for moisture. Deep, infrequent watering helps trees establish strong root systems, making them more drought-resistant in the long run. Unlike shallow watering, which only wets the surface, deep watering ensures moisture reaches the roots where it’s needed most.

What to do: As temperatures warm up, water your trees deeply. New Jersey’s spring weather can be tricky, with occasional dry spells, so make sure your trees have enough moisture to support growth.
Why it matters: Deep watering encourages deep root growth, which helps your tree become more drought-resistant. Remember, trees prefer deep, infrequent watering over frequent, shallow watering.

Inspect for pests

Spring is when many pests and tree diseases become active, making early detection a key part of spring tree care. Common threats like aphids, caterpillars, and fungal infections can weaken trees and spread quickly if left unchecked. By inspecting your trees now, you can spot warning signs such as unusual leaf spots, webbing, or discoloration and take action before major damage occurs. A proactive spring tree service approach helps keep your trees healthy and resilient throughout the growing season.

What to do: Early spring is the perfect time to inspect your trees for pests like aphids and caterpillars or signs of diseases such as fungal growth. Look for unusual spots on leaves or stems.
Why it matters: Detecting problems early helps you take action before pests or diseases cause significant damage to your tree.

Aerate the soil

Over time, soil can become compacted, restricting the flow of air, water, and nutrients to tree roots. This is especially common in New Jersey’s dense, clay-heavy soils, making aeration an important step in spring tree care. By loosening compacted soil, trees can absorb essential nutrients more effectively, leading to stronger, deeper root systems. Whether using a manual or power aerator, this simple practice can significantly improve tree health and resilience throughout the growing season.

What to do: If the soil around your trees is compacted, consider aerating it. A manual or power aerator can create small holes in the soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots.
Why it matters: Aerating helps alleviate compaction, allowing your tree’s roots to grow stronger and deeper, which is especially important in New Jersey’s dense, clay-heavy soils.

Check for structural issues

As trees grow, they may develop weak points that compromise their stability. Branches that cross, rub against each other, or grow at odd angles can create structural weaknesses, increasing the risk of breakage. Regular inspections as part of spring tree care allow you to catch these issues early, preventing costly repairs or hazardous conditions during storms. Addressing structural problems now ensures your trees remain strong and well-shaped throughout the season.

What to do: Look for branches that may be crossing, rubbing against each other, or growing at odd angles. These can create weak spots in the tree.
Why it matters: Early detection of structural issues can help you avoid costly repairs or, worse, dangerous branches falling during storms.

Consider tree protection

Young trees are especially vulnerable to damage from wildlife, making spring tree care the perfect time to reinforce their defenses. In New Jersey, deer and other animals can chew on bark, break branches, or uproot saplings before they have a chance to establish strong roots. Using tree guards, fencing, or protective barriers can help shield new plantings, giving them the stability they need to thrive. A little protection now can prevent costly damage and ensure long-term tree health.

What to do: If you’ve recently planted new trees or live in an area with wildlife, consider protecting your young trees with fencing or tree guards to prevent damage from animals.
Why it matters: In New Jersey, deer and other wildlife can significantly damage young trees. Tree protection helps them establish strong roots and avoid damage from hungry critters.

Keep an eye on the weather

Spring weather in New Jersey can be unpredictable, with sudden temperature swings that may threaten young trees. Late-season frosts can damage tender buds and new growth, setting trees back just as the growing season begins. Staying alert to weather patterns is an essential part of spring tree care, allowing you to take protective measures like covering young trees or postponing new plantings until the risk of freezing temperatures has passed.

What to do: Spring in New Jersey can be a rollercoaster of temperatures. Watch the forecast for frost warnings, as a late freeze could damage new buds or tender leaves.
Why it matters: If frost is expected, you may need to cover young trees or delay any new plantings until the risk of freezing temperatures has passed.

Need help? Consult an arborist

Of course, the easiest way to handle tree care moving from winter to spring is to hire a professional. That way, you take the guesswork out of damaged branches, disease, fertilizing, watering, and more. Professional arborists can keep your trees alive and beautiful for years to come, adding value to your home or property.

Do you have any tree care tips or questions? Feel free to give us a call to chat about keeping your green spaces in tip-top shape this spring!

Happy tree care, New Jersey!