tree care calendar
WINTER
December
- Have your trees inspected for broken branches, hazards and defects
- Begin thinking about your winter-time tree related projects - we work year-round!
- Grind stumps in your yard
- Make holiday decorations from trees and shrubs in the yard
- Shape younger evergreen trees
- Fine prune Japanese Maples and other specimen plants
- Trim holly for use in holiday decorations
- Apply anti-desiccant to broadleaf evergreens
- Apply deer deterrent
- Keep bird feeders well stocked
- Visit Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square
January
- Happy New Year!
- Have your trees inspected for safety, ice and storm damage
- Prune Elm trees to avoid Dutch Elm disease
- Schedule inspection of ornamentals and shrubs for scale insects
- Prune later summer blooming trees, shrubs and vines
- General dormant safety pruning
- Take advantage of frozen ground for tree removal
- Clean out those woods or unsightly areas in your yard
- Take care of tree work that you held off on doing this past summer (it isn't going to go away)
- Feed the birds
- Try using sand on ice instead of salt, your plants will thank you!
February
- Have your trees inspected for safety, ice and storm damage
- Cut vines on trees
- Prune fruit trees to enhance fruit production
- Have us inspect your Tree Cables and Lightning Protection Systems
- Assess landscape with your arborist
- Feed the birds
- Install Bat Boxes for the upcoming mosquito season; a natural, low-cost & low maintenance method to reduce mosquito problems
- Walk through the Morris Arboretum this month
- Happy Valentine's Day!
Spring
March
- General pruning and thinning of vigorous growing trees
- Remove all protective guards used for rabbit and deer damage
- Complete fruit tree pruning and tree maintenance
- Prune any late season storm damage
- Begin pruning late summer flowering plants
- Great time for transplanting and relocating trees and shrubs
- Time to have your hemlocks, pines, spruces and firs inspected for cool season mites
- Review our 2014 IPM Proposals. If you haven't received yours, call us today!
- Schedule spring fertilization for your trees and shrubs
- Call us for a walk-through to develop an IPM Program for your trees and shrubs.
- Early dormant spraying (fruit trees, etc.) may be needed
- Service your lawn mower and roto-tiller
- Begin a program of treating ticks to protect your family and pets
- Attend the Philadelphia Flower Show, March 1-9, 2014
- Time to begin visiting the garden centers!
April
- Have your trees pruned before opening your pool.
- Inspect Cherry & Purple Plum trees for tent caterpillars
- Aesthetic pruning of smaller ornamental trees to develop best branch structure
- Perform rejuvenation pruning on summer flowering shrubs
- Have your trees inspected for disease and damaging insects and treat as needed
- Have your evergreens inspected for scale & mite insects
- Treat roses for control of Rose Rosette Virus
- Schedule your spring fertilization
- Ash trees need to be treated for protection from the Emerald Ash Borer
- Treat the Beech trees for control of bark disease
- Time to get out and enjoy your garden!
- Plant new perennials and summer flowering bulbs
- April 22nd – Celebrate Earth Day!
- April 25th, Arbor Day, plant that tree!
- Be sure to attend Delaware Valley College A-Day during the last weekend of the month
May
- General tree and shrub maintenance pruning
- Have your trees inspected for disease and treat as needed
- Treat azalea and other landscape plants for mites, aphid and lace bug
- Deep root fertilization is necessary for low vitality trees
- Treat for ticks to protect your family and pets
- Apply deer deterrent
- Time to look at the top of your Pin Oaks for white leaves - a sign of the Scarlet Oak Sawfly
- Plant your hanging baskets and annuals after last frost
SUMMER
June
- General tree maintenance pruning
- Inspect and treat trees for defoliating caterpillars
- Keep a close watch for pests and disease in the landscape
- Have us inspect and treat your landscape plants for warm season mites
- Inspect your property to eliminate standing puddles of water that breed mosquitos
- Replant your herb garden with new seedlings
- Attend Bucks Beautiful Kitchen & Garden Tour
July
- Your trees & shrubs should be looking their best for the 4th!
- Don't forget to water newly planted landscape trees and shrubs
- Time to prune trees that are shading your pool
- Remove dead trees
- Prune deadwood from trees, prune shrubs
- Time to control bagworms
- Inspect and treat for Japanese beetles
- Keep an eye on those Pin Oak trees for 'white' leaves at the top – call us to inspect them
- Treat azalea and other landscape plants for mites, aphid and lace bug
- We would be happy to inspect your trees and treat for Bacterial Leaf Scorch
- Treat your woods edge for ticks
- Sit back under the shade of your trees and relax!
August
- Time to prune low hanging branches from the roof of your home and vehicles
- Prune deadwood from trees
- Remove dead trees
- Take advantage of dry ground for tree removal
- Water lawn and landscape plants during dry spells. Infrequent deep watering is better than frequent light watering
- Treat azalea and other landscape plants for mites, aphid and lace bug
- Treat your woods edge for ticks
- Last vacation month before school starts
Autumn
September
- Time to prune your trees
- Have us evaluate your trees for potential hazards before winter arrives
- Time to fertilize trees and landscape shrubs
- Have us inspect and treat your pines, hemlocks, spruce and fir for cool season mites
- Treat landscape for ticks
- Time to treat your Ash trees for control of the Emerald Ash Borer for the up-coming year
- Enjoy the start of fall colors
- Look forward to those clear, brisk fall days!
October
- Formative tree pruning to develop best branching structure
- Prune deadwood from trees
- Start planning winter landscape work
- Plant new trees and shrubs, please call, we are always happy to advise
- Great time to transplant existing trees and shrubs
- Time to fertilize trees and landscape shrubs
- Begin Dormant oil sprays
- Clear rain gutters of leaves and debris
- Time to put out the winter treatment for tick control
- Time to have firewood stacked and dry-stored
- Visit the Arboretum at Delaware Valley College
November
- Trim your trees from buildings, lamp posts, walkways and driveways to eliminate branch damage from winter storms and to deter squirrels from entering your home
- Mow your lawn one last time, cutting grass short for winter, hallelujah!
- Remove leaves from lawn, it makes a great compost additive
- Place protective guards on small trees and shrubs to help prevent rabbit & deer winter damage
- Winterize lawn mower and roto-tiller
- Service snow blower
- Happy Thanksgiving!