ecoLIVING London

On October 22, Friends of the Coves held a tree planting and aftercare event at Briscoe Woods. Even though the leaves have been falling for a while now, urban trees still require important care during this time of year. Below are a few tree care tips that can help your trees throughout the remaining fall and upcoming winter months.

- Watering urban trees is important and can be done until the ground is frozen. Stress caused by drought conditions can weaken the tree’s ability to survive the winter. A good way to water a tree is to leave a hose on a slow drip for about 15 mintues, 1-2 times/week, at the base of the tree, or for older trees, a soaker hose should be spread along the ground as wide as the tree branches reach in order to nourish the larger roots below.

- Mulch decomposes over time, so it is important to replenish it periodically. Adding a fresh 3-4 inch layer of mulch before the ground freezes will help the roots by moderating temperature and moisture loss. Place the mulch in a doughnut shape around the tree trunk instead of piling it against the trunk, which may cause the bark to rot.

- Unless leaves are diseased, let fallen leaves remain on the ground. As leaves decompose, they return valuable nutrients back into the soil.

- Salt applied during the winter season can seriously affect the health of near-by trees. Instead, try using sand as a way to deal with slippery conditions.

- Pruning for many species can be done when the tree goes dormant in the winter months. As pruning techniques and timing can differ depending on species, do your research before pruning.

Written by: Mia King, Program Manager - Friends of the Coves
Contact: mking [at] thecoves [dot] ca

Information obtained from http://www.yourleaf.org/blogs/janet-mckay