The Three Reasons Winter is the Ideal Time to Inspect Your Landscape

As professional Certified Arborists, we can’t stress enough the value in managing and planning proper Plant Health Care. Winter provides the perfect backdrop for doing so. It makes much more sense to remain focused on the condition of your trees and shrubs to head off damage caused by disease and pests before they become costly and damaging issues.

The saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” must have been coined when discussing this topic. Ricks Plant Health Care uses this time of year to evaluate the current condition of our customer’s landscapes and the level of recovery the trees have made since the last treatment they have received.

Here are the top 3 reasons for Winter Tree Care:

1. Leaves are all but non-existent.
   As humans, we protect ourselves from the winter extremes by pulling out the hats, fleece boots, and blankets and fleece. We add the layers. Trees work in reverse fashion, shedding foliage to begin preparations for energy conservation and root development during the harsh winter months.It is when trees expose themselves, that a qualified Certified Arborist welcomes the opportunity to gain a clean and unfettered look at the condition of the tree. Cracks, weak branch attachments, and bark damage, as well as Insect Infestations, are clearly visible now and are unable to hide in plain view as they are in spring, summer, and fall. For example, Spotted Lanternfly egg masses can easily be overlooked while the tree is in full canopy during the growing season. However, once the leaves have fallen, there is a better opportunity to scout for the upcoming seasons’ infestation.
2. Diseases and insects are in a dormant state. 
   With the winter cooperation of the tree and shrubs, we can assess the state of the situation and begin to formulate a strategy to treat disease and insects, if necessary, well before they awake from their long winter’s nap. Recognizing issues that threaten the health of your trees before they become a problem and preparing a management blueprint in the dormant season will, in the majority of cases, yield better results and greater control of these issues with properly timed treatments.
3. Planning and Budgeting.
   Once our Certified Arborist assesses the condition of your trees and shrubs, we then create a program that aligns with time-sensitive treatments required to prevent the spread of infectious fungal and bacterial disease and insect damage. Having a plan of attack in place also allows our clients to plan and budget, making the cost of professional Plant Health Care as manageable as the treatments we provide.Your trees and shrubs provide a lifetime of value and pleasure, so remember, “An ounce of preventions IS worth a pound of cure” when it comes to maintaining the beauty and value of your home.

See you soon!