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With summer only a month away, now is the time to start prepping your yard for warmer weather. In April, I talked about how to research and choose new trees to plant in your yard. This month, we will look at how to prepare your existing trees for summer. These tasks can be broken into the following phases:
Phase 1: Inspect & prune
• Inspect your trees for signs of winter damage or disease. Look for broken or split branches, any discoloration or fungus on the bark, and signs of infestations.
• Prune dead, diseased or unsafe branches before the summer heat. Waiting to prune in warmer weather may lead to an unwelcome spread of pests and diseases.
Phase 2: Clean & fertilize
• Remove fallen leaves, branches and waste from your landscape to set the stage for healthy growth.
• Feed your trees the nutrients they crave after winter. A slow-release fertilizer helps trees defend against pests and diseases.
Phase 3: Plant & mulch
• Plant new trees to maximize energy-saving and property-enhancing benefits. Before planting, make sure to secure an ideal growing spot.
• Add 2 to 4 inches of mulch around your trees to improve soil moisture and control weeds. Be sure not to “volcano mulch” – pile up mulch around the base of a tree.
If you have not selected your new trees yet, consider available space, desired height and spread, soil conditions and sun exposure in your specific location. Choosing native or drought-tolerant species can help conserve water and support local ecosystems. Here are my top three picks for the Midpeninsula area:
California buckeye. This native tree features beautiful, palmate leaves and showy white flowers in spring. It’s well-suited to the Midpeninsula’s climate and soil conditions. This large shrub or small tree can reach 36 feet tall.
Western redbud. Known for its stunning pink or purple flowers in spring, the Western redbud is a small tree that adds ornamental value to landscapes. It can grow 10-20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. Bonus: It’s drought-tolerant once established.
Crape Myrtle. With its attractive bark and vibrant summer blooms in various colors Crape Myrtle adds beauty to landscapes. Crepe myrtle trees grow to about 30-40 feet tall. Bush varieties are much smaller, growing only 4-15 feet tall. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun.
George Reno is a local arborist at The Davey Tree Expert Company in Menlo Park, which serves communities on the Peninsula, including Menlo Park, Atherton, Palo Alto and Redwood City. If you have a tree-related question, email lifestyle@EmbarcaderoMedia or post in the comments section at the end of this column.
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