In Denver, weather patterns this time of year can be a bit unpredictable to say the least. How can you keep your trees and shrubs healthy during the fall and early winter? Normal watering has for the most part halted due to lower temperatures, but that can leave your trees and shrubs dry and under drought stress. Your go-to Denver tree services can help you maintain optimum health of your plants and trees by remembering a few key tips:
Sprinklers Have Been Winterized
While we have had some colder days recently, it is important to ensure your trees and shrubs are getting proper hydration when you are not maintaining your regular sprinkler schedule and watering routine. Pay attention to weather patterns and take advantage of warmer days by watering more deeply to make sure your trees and shrubs are not too dry entering the winter months.
Trees Under Drought Stress
How do you know if your tree is dry or experiencing drought stress? Particularly with our weather lately, Denver has experienced dry patterns which will affect your tree’s health if not properly addressed. When a tree experiences drought stress, you will notice that the leaves will prematurely drop their leaves. Here are some other signals that might alert you to a tree under drought stress:
- Leaves might be discolored or wilting and curling
- Leaves might be growing slower or not growing as large as normal
- Browned leaves
- Browning of needles on Evergreen trees
- Discoloration of needles in Evergreen trees in shades of reds or yellows
Maintaining proper hydration during this transitional period is very important for the health of your tree – it will ensure its stability and strength during the snow and frigid months. If it is not properly watered and hydrated it can be vulnerable for disease and pest infestation as time goes on. This has an effect in the long term as opposed to an immediate consequence.
How Much Should You Water?
While the lawn does have its own set of rules for watering, during this season, the trees take priority over the lawn in terms of watering. Damage to your trees now can cause major issues in the life of your tree, when lawns can be replaced much more easily.
CSU has a great reference for watering times and a formula for you to calculate how much you should water your tree: Tree Diameter x 5 minutes = Total Watering Time.
Keep in mind, this is generally for times of drought and should only be practiced on warmer days during late fall and early winter.
Make sure to stay on top of proper watering methods in Denver and keep your trees and shrubs healthy through the winter. Have a specific case you would like expert advice on? Contact the team at American Arbor Care to learn more about how to best care for your landscape and learn more about common concerns, like why you shouldn’t worry about early fall needle drop in Denver.