Caring for Trees During Autumn

Nurturing Nature's Transition

As the vibrant colors of summer give way to the warm hues of autumn, it's essential to recognize the significance of caring for trees during this transitional season. Trees, those silent guardians of our environment, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, purifying the air, and enhancing the beauty of our surroundings. The fall season brings unique challenges and opportunities for tree care, making it a pivotal time for arborists and homeowners to ensure the health and vitality of these majestic giants. From using fertilizer to incorporating mulch and adjusting irrigation practices, the care provided during autumn can significantly impact the well-being of trees and the ecosystems they support.

Importance of Autumn Tree Care:

Autumn heralds changes that influence trees' growth and vitality. The gradual decrease in daylight triggers physiological changes in trees, including the cessation of development, the breakdown of chlorophyll, and the redirection of resources from leaves to roots. These processes prepare trees for the harsh conditions of winter and the eventual renewal of spring. However, this transition also stresses trees, making them susceptible to diseases, pests, and environmental factors. Caring for trees in the fall is crucial to fortify them against these challenges, ensuring their survival and ability to thrive in the following seasons.

Using Fertilizer:

Fertilization is a cornerstone of fall tree care, providing trees with essential nutrients that bolster their resilience. While trees naturally withdraw nutrients from their leaves before shedding them, supplementing with appropriate fertilizer can help replenish their nutrient reserves. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are primary elements that support growth, root development, and overall health. Slow-release fertilizers are particularly advantageous, providing a sustained nutrient supply without causing rapid growth that might be vulnerable to winter damage. Applying fertilizer in the fall allows trees to absorb nutrients before the ground freezes, aiding in root development and nutrient storage.

Incorporating Mulch:

Mulching is a practice that often takes center stage in autumn tree care, serving multiple purposes that benefit both trees and their surrounding ecosystems. Adding organic mulch, like wood chips or shredded leaves, helps insulate the soil, regulating temperature fluctuations that can damage roots. It also conserves soil moisture, a vital factor during the dry, windy autumn months. Additionally, mulch suppresses weed growth, preventing competition for nutrients and water. When applying mulch, creating a well-defined circle around the tree's base is essential, avoiding piling it against the trunk, which could lead to moisture retention and fungal issues.

Slowing Down Irrigation:

As the days shorten and temperatures cool, trees' water requirements decrease. Properly adjusting irrigation practices is an integral part of autumn tree care. Overwatering during fall can lead to root rot and other moisture-related diseases, as the reduced transpiration rates make trees less capable of absorbing excess water. Gradually decreasing the frequency and duration of irrigation as the season progresses allows trees to adapt to changing conditions. Monitoring soil moisture levels and considering local climate factors are essential when determining the appropriate watering schedule. A well-hydrated tree is better equipped to face the challenges of winter and re-emerge in spring with vitality.

Caring for trees during autumn is a responsibility that echoes beyond the individual tree, contributing to the ecosystem's health. By using fertilizer to replenish nutrient reserves, incorporating mulch for insulation and moisture conservation, and adjusting irrigation practices to suit changing needs, arborists, and homeowners can provide the support trees need to thrive in the face of the upcoming winter months. Recognizing the importance of fall tree care is a testament to our commitment to preserving nature and a way to honor trees' invaluable contributions to our environment and quality of life. As we revel in the beauty of autumn, let us also be diligent stewards of these silent giants, ensuring they continue to grace our landscapes for generations to come.

Redbud tree - TN Nursery

Redbud Tree

Redbud Tree - Cercis Canadensis The Redbud Tree is an excellent specimen plant that brings beauty to lawns, gardens, parks, and borders. Its vibrant spring blooms, lush green summer foliage, and intriguingly varied branches provide seasonal interest and texture. This fast-growing tree can outperform anything planted near it with show-stopped purple blooms in the warm season when paired with flowering annuals, perennials, and other shrubs. Flowers of Redbud Trees This showy shrub bursts through with beautiful blooms in early spring. The flowers are about ½ inches wide and form clusters along the tree branches. Flower clusters range from light to deep pink and purple, and they can also be white. Heart-shaped leaves appear after blooming and last up to three weeks. Redbud Tree's Leaves Leaves of the trees are about two to six inches in width. They start out as light red and progressively become bright green over the summer. Leaves become a greenish-yellow hue and can contain hints of red and orange in the fall. Next, flat pod-like leaves appear. Pods are about two to four inches in length. Pods start as light green and become deep brown as they mature over the winter. Seeds inside the pods can re-propagate after falling to the ground. Limbs and Trunk This shrub has a multi-trunk shape that divides near the ground. Multiple limbs and branches extend outward in a graceful manner. This offers a touch of landscaping interest and color extension. The brown bark is typically smooth and bare when young. The bark becomes scaly and turns dark gray as it matures. The bark is smooth and ranges from brown to light gray throughout the year. In winter, the bark becomes scaly with deep cracks. Flowers can sometimes bloom along the limbs and trunk. Called “cauliflory,” this adds a unique element to the garden aesthetic. Height of Cercis Canadensis Incredibly versatile, a redbud ranges in size from a shrub to a small sapling. With an average height expectancy of 20 to 30 feet and limbs and branches that can spread up to 35 feet in width, they offer a variety of landscaping possibilities. Considered an understory, meaning it grows between taller varieties and the ground, it provides habitat and environmental benefits and a colorful and textual addition to the landscape.

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Sugar Maple Tree - TN Nursery

Sugar Maple Tree

Sugar Maple Tree: Acer Saccharum The Sugar Maple Tree (Acer saccharum) is a handsome type admired for its thick canopy, autumnal colors, and applications. Because of its beautiful appearance and versatility, it is the ideal type for homeowners who wish to add a touch of class and shade to their backyard. Sugar Maple Tree's Ease of Planting and Maintenance  They are easy to plant and is a popular choice among gardeners of all types. These are very hardy and prefer well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Put the root ball in a hole twice its diameter, place the tree, and add soil and water. Once planted, they need little maintenance. Its advantages include drought tolerance, insect resistance, occasional irrigation when wet, and annual mulching to conserve moisture. Acer Saccharum's Seasonal Blooms and Color Changes  They have tiny, yellow-green flowers in spring that make the garden look pretty. During the summer, the green leaves provide thick shading to keep you cool and fresh. Its canopy of leaves turns into a riot of warm colors, such as red and orange, during the fall season and is a stunning feature of any garden or yard. It remains dormant in winter, the entirety of its spanning branches visible beneath. They are round-shaped, with a thick canopy. They range from 60 to 75 feet tall and 40 to 50 feet wide. If appropriately maintained, these can live for over 100 years and become a beloved feature in your garden. Life Cycle of Sugar Maple Trees at TN Nursery The Sugar Maple Trees at TN Nursery are grown in high-quality conditions and delivered as ready-to-plant specimens. These grow quickly and offer stunning seasonal color, shade, and durability. Plant one in your garden to give your home years of timeless beauty!

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Red Crepe Myrtle - TN Nursery

Red Crepe Myrtle

Red Crepe Myrtle - Lagerstroemia indica Red Crepe Myrtle provides a long blooming season, drought tolerance, and aesthetic appeal.  THIS IS NOT ON THE BOGO DEAL. THESE PRICES ARE ALMOST AT COST. FRESH DUG AND SHIPPING NOW. NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO PLANT FOR FALL. Characteristics Of The Red Crepe Myrtle Height: Typically grows between 10-20 feet, though dwarf varieties are more petite. Leaves: Glossy green leaves that turn shades of yellow, orange, or scarlet in the fall. Flowers: Clusters of bright, scarlet, wavy flowers that resemble crepe paper. These trees bloom from late spring to early fall. Bark: Smooth and peeling bark adds visual interest year-round. Growth Requirements: Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours a day). Soil: Well-draining soil; tolerates various soil types. Water: Drought-resistant once established but thrives with consistent watering during dry periods. Popular Uses Of The Red Crepe Myrtle Used as a flowering hedge, accent plant, or small tree. It is ideal for urban gardens because of its compact size. Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies. How do you keep them healthy To ensure all grow healthy, they should be planted in well-draining soils with full sun exposure, which tends to be at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Prune young trees often but only occasionally if the trees are already grown. It is best to trim during early spring to keep the plant clean and visually appealing with bushy-shaped crowns for summer flowering.  Which fertilizer is suitable for them?  For this type, a slow-release all-purpose fertilizer in the 10-10-10 nitrogen—phosphorus—potassium ratio is recommended. Use it in early spring as buds are starting to break for best results, promoting green foliage and lots of blooms.  Do they grow very fast?  Yes, they are fast growers; this plant can grow up to 2 feet in a year. In a perfect world, you can quickly set them in a garden without much hustle and bustle and grow to the full size of 10-30ft, depending on the type. What does it attract?  Due to colorful nectar-bearing flowers, red crepe myrtles attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. In some cases, they may also be likely to attract bird species that feed on the fruits of the tree. In gardens, their blooms even have the ecological importance of supporting beneficial wildlife.  How long does it live if not pruned?  These trees live long, growing to be valuable trees that may last half a century and more if adequately managed. They are durable due to their ability to withstand harsh climate and weather conditions, so they can live for decades, creating a long-term design element for any landscape.

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