Spring Tree Care

A spring tree care plan is extremely important to make sure your tree thrives in during the growing season. Below you will find what spring tree care you should be performing from March-May.

Fertilize

Fertilizing is one of the best ways to keep your trees healthy. Applying fertilizer in the spring provides extra nutrients and helps your tree push out new growth.

Trees in the forest have an abundance of nutrients because of the delicate forest environment that has evolved over millions of years. The trees in our yards; however, are a whole other story. Trees in urban and suburban environments face several high-stress conditions, such as low moisture availability, soil compaction, physical damage, and construction. Plus, as we rake away leaves, twigs, and fall bark, we remove nutrients that would have naturally decomposed, feeding the roots.

When faced with these conditions, trees will not reach their full landscape potential. They will have a shorter lifespan and become more susceptible to insects and diseases. To combat this, invest in a maintenance program. Other than regular trimming, fertilization one of the best tree maintenance efforts you can do.

Spray To Prevent Fungal Infections & Diseases

The cool, moist weather of spring creates a perfect breeding ground for fungal diseases. Invest in preventive fungicide sprays to keep your trees from being infected. Once trees are infected with a tree fungus, the infection cannot be cured. It can only suppressed – which is why prevention is key when it comes to fungi.

Other tips to prevent infection include:

Don’t over water
Make sure your soil drains properly
Boost overall health with proper maintenance
Sanitize gardening tools between plants
Rake and remove falling leaves from your yard

Common Tree Fungal diseases include; armillaria root rot, phytophthora root rot, thousands canker disease, phytophtoria bleeding cankers, cytospora canker, hypoxylon canker, cercospora leaf spot, anthracnose, sooty mold, powdery mildew, shot hole fungus, verticillium wilt, oak wilt, and dutch elm disease.

Invest In A Year-Long Plant Health Care Plan

Spring is when all the tree diseases and pests begin to emerge. Prevent these pests & keep your property healthy from Spring- Fall by investing in a year-long plant health care plan.

Need Help With Spring Tree Care?

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Or Call 703.573.3029

Mulch

Mulching provides a series of benefits. Mulch retains soil moisture, promotes organic matter development, and prevents soil compaction.

Applying mulch around trees is one of the best things you can do for the health of your trees. Especially for young trees, mulching is a quick and cost-effective technique that provides numerous benefits.

How To Apply Mulch:

Size: The best mulching goes out as far as the drip line of the tree. However, this isn’t reasonable for most homeowners with large trees. If this isn’t practical, apply mulch in a 2 to 3-foot radius around the tree instead.

Depth: About 2-4 inches

Do not pile the mulch against the trunk of the tree. Instead keep it away from the trunk, so that the root flare zone is visible.
To refresh the look of mulch, don’t pile new layers on top of old ones. Instead, lightly rake the top layers of the mulch, or simply remove the old mulch and replace with new mulch.
Do not use fresh wood chips for mulching around young trees. Fresh wood chips have a higher acidity and can injury a young tree.

Water To Keep Plants Hydrated

In spring, trees and shrubs are pushing out new growth. To be successful they need to stay properly hydrated. Watering will also flush out their system if they’ve been exposed to ice melts/rock salt.

Watering Tips For Spring Tree Care:

Focus on the critical root zone when watering. Wetting foliage is pointless and can promote the spread of diseases.
- DON’T use a sprinkler. This only wets the top layer of soil and doesn’t properly water the tree.
- Water in the morning to avoid evaporation and to help trees deal with the heat throughout the day.
- Water deeply and thoroughly 1 to 2 times a week.
  - Put your normal hose somewhere in the critical root zone.
  - Turn hose on to a dribble
  - Leave for 2-3 hours
  - Move the hose to a different spot in the critical root zone and leave for 2-3 hours. Repeat this step 1-3 times.
- You want the soil to be moist but not soaking. You should NOT be able to make a mud ball out of the soil.
- It’s okay for some portions of the soil to be wet and some to be dry.

Protect Yourself & Your Family from Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes and ticks bring deadly diseases like Zika, West Nile, and Lyme, into your property. Protect your family from tick and mosquito bites with our Organic Mosquito & Tick Control Program and these DIY tips.

Keep doors & windows closed so that mosquitoes can’t enter your home.
If you utilize screen doors/window screens, periodically check them for small rips and tears which mosquitoes could enter through.
Do not allow any water to stand near your house. Mosquitoes bred and multiply in stagnant water. Make sure to pour out kiddie pools, buckets, or children’s toys that collect rain water.
Change water in bird baths and scrub them twice a week.
If you have outside pets, empty their water bowls daily.
Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters create a perfect environment for mosquito breeding.
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk & dawn. If possible remain indoors during these times.

Watch for Tree & Shrub Pests

The warm weather of spring activates lots of insects and diseases that can damage your trees & shrubs. Keep an eye out for damage so you can catch these pests early.

Learn About:

Summer Tree Care
Fall Tree Care
Winter Tree Care

Charles T

April 2, 2024.

I connected with RTEC through a neighbor who was interviewing RTEC for tree work on her yard. Ben was very thorough looking at the trees that I thought needed work. He understood my desire to keep the trees healthy and reduce falling limbs. The price my small job seemed reasonable. The crew came on Friday for the contract I signed on Monday. I was able to speak with the crew leader and give him my perspective on the work needed before I had to leave for another engagement. When I returned, the work was done just as Ben and I had discussed and I discussed with Pedro. The yard was cleared of debris. I was pleased with the result and there was honestly nothing to criticize.

Mandy Neuman

March 28, 2024.

I have used RTEC Treecare both at my home and for a commercial job and I have been very happy with them. They are professional, knowledgable, and great to work with. Communication was a breeze! I highly recommend them!

Nancy Rodgers

RTEC treated my crape myrtles and saved them from disease. My yard looks great since I started using RTEC last year! They are so knowledgeable and helpful!

Todd Friedlander

March 25, 2024.

We had a large (4’) diameter maple tree at the end of our driveway (and neighbor’s driveway) that needed to come down. We worked with RTEC on a removal strategy that wouldn’t impact our neighbors. When we came home that evening the tree and the cleanup was so thorough I joked with my wife that “someone had stolen our tree!” RTEC is masterful in their work, true skilled professionals!

Janet Frank

March 19, 2024.

RTEC Tree has been taking care of our front Zelkova with biostimulant treatments for several years now. We had extensive front hard and landscape construction completed around the Zelkova, and the tree came through beautifully with no shock whatsoever. They recently pruned our Zelkova, and they preserved the shape of the tree. Upon pruning, they noticed a nest of 3 baby squirrels in the crook of two of the limbs. They respected that nest and notified me that they worked around the nest. Thank you, RTEC! They also removed 4 dead or suspect limbs from an oak tree adjoining our back yard. The limbs were hanging over our fence and house. They cleaned up all the debris after carefully lowering the limbs without damage to our patio furniture and grill. They respect the existing new landscaping. RTEC has also removed diseased trees from our property over the years, including an oak tree from the Resource Protection Area (which was not on our property). They worked with Fairfax County to file all paperwork to remove the tree which posed a hazard to the surrounding homes including ours. RTEC has all the equipment to deal with any tree problem and their crews are pleasant to interact with. Ben Gotch has been our consultant and he is tuned into the homeowner. Very detail oriented and thorough. He kept us apprised of our service especially if scheduling modifications needed to be made. RTEC arrived on time and finished the jobs in an efficient manner, cleaning up all the debris. I very highly recommend RTEC for all your tree needs.

Tyler Anbinder

March 6, 2024.

I love RTEC. Ben is especially great. He's the only tree guy who has ever told me not to do tree work, which to me shows honesty compared to the other guys, whose only solution is always to cut the tree down.

Jose Salazar

February 23, 2024.

Excellent service!

Udit Minocha

February 15, 2024.

We've been using RTEC Treecare for about 5 years for pruning, tree removal, and the Bio-stimulant Program for our old maple tree that keeps the house cool in the summer. We really like that they have knowledgeable arborists on staff and know what they're doing.

Linda D.

February 9, 2024.

Have been using for many years. professional and detailed in treatments and pruning.

Carol Aten

February 6, 2024.

We have used RTEC Treecare for over 10 years and have really appreciated their attention to keeping our trees and shrubs in good health. We have a number large trees that have needed various treatments and have been pleased to be able to maintain them in a healthy and attractive condition. I highly recommend them and their arborist Ben Gotch.