Essential Fall Tree Care Tips for St. Louis & St. Charles, MO

As fall settles in across the St. Louis and St. Charles area, it’s time to focus on tree care. Winter is looming and your trees could struggle if they aren’t set up for success.

Taking a few important steps now will help your trees stay healthy through winter and ultimately thrive when spring finally returns. Let’s look at our top fall tree care tips that will help protect your trees and give them the care they need.

Key Takeaways

• Fall is the best time to inspect trees for damage and address issues before winter storms hit.
• Deep watering and fresh mulch in fall help protect tree roots and retain moisture through winter.
• Fall fertilization helps trees recover from summer stress and prepare for winter dormancy.
• Winter is ideal for structural pruning, but damaged limbs should be removed in fall.
• Fall’s cool temperatures and moist soil make it perfect for planting new trees in Missouri.

Look for Tree Damage Before Winter Arrives

Fall is a good time to check your trees for signs of summer storm or tornado damage, decay, or disease. Taking care of these issues now helps prevent further problems during winter storms. Here’s what to look out for:

• Broken or hanging branches
• Cracks or splits in the trunk or limbs
• Peeling or flaking bark
• Mushrooms or fungal growth on the trunk or soil near your tree
• Soft or hollow areas in the trunk or limbs
• Discolored or wilting leaves

Trees with storm damage or decay are more likely to break under snow or ice, which can put your home and family at risk. If you spot any of these signs, it’s best to have a Certified Arborist assess your trees and prune them as needed.

Keep Trees Hydrated Throughout the Fall

Even though fall brings cooler weather, trees still need water, especially during dry spells here in eastern Missouri. Giving your trees weekly deep waterings before the ground freezes helps them store enough moisture to make it through winter, when trees often don’t get enough moisture.

Here’s how to keep your trees well-hydrated for the cold months ahead:

• Water around the base of the tree, focusing on the drip line (the area under the outermost branches).
• Water slowly and deeply to help roots absorb as much moisture as possible.
• Consider using a soaker hose to slowly water the soil directly.
• Stop if and when the ground freezes.

Add Fresh Mulch to Protect Tree Roots

Mulching is one of the best ways to protect tree roots from harsh winter conditions. Fall is a great time to add new mulch or refresh your existing layer to maintain steady soil temperature and keep moisture in the root zone. A good mulch layer also prevents frost heaving – the repeated freezing and thawing that can disturb tree roots.

When you mulch:

• Use organic mulch like wood chips, shredded bark, or pine needles.
• Add a 2- to 4-inch layer around the tree’s base.
• Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.
• Cover as much of the root zone as you can to insulate roots and hold in moisture.

Adding fresh mulch before winter also helps provide extra nutrients to trees as it breaks down.

Boost Tree Health with Fall Fertilization

Fall fertilization can really benefit your trees when done properly. Deep root fertilization is an effective method that delivers nutrients right to the root system before winter arrives.

Fall fertilization helps your trees by:

• Helping them recover from summer stress
• Building strength for winter
• Maintaining health during dormancy
• Setting them up for better spring growth

Slow-release fertilizer often works best in fall since it provides steady benefits without overwhelming the tree. Call our experts at 314-322-7690 to ask about the right fertilizer for your trees and to see how deep root fertilization might improve their overall health.

Remove Hazardous Limbs Before Winter Storms Hit

One of the most important fall tasks is removing weak, damaged, or dead limbs. These branches can easily break under snow and ice, potentially causing property damage or injury.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for branches that cross or rub. These could create a wound, encouraging pest or disease problems. Prune the less desirable branch to allow the other to grow.

Schedule Winter Structural Pruning

While fall is good for removing damaged limbs, winter is actually the best season for structural pruning. During dormancy, trees can handle more extensive pruning without stress or pest problems. In fact, major pruning in winter can encourage healthier spring growth.

Planning your winter pruning now ensures your trees get proper care at the right time, with the least amount of stress. Winter structural pruning helps shape young trees, remove weak branches, and improve your trees’ overall form and health.

Fall Is an Excellent Time to Plant Trees in Missouri

Fall provides ideal conditions for planting new trees around St. Louis and St. Charles. The cool temperatures and moist soil help tree roots establish themselves before the ground freezes. Trees planted in fall get a head start for spring, leading to stronger, healthier growth.

Oaks, maples, and redbuds work really well in our area and add beauty while supporting local wildlife. Many other native trees and even introduced species can thrive here too. Although ash trees have traditionally been an excellent tree in our area, they are tough to grow due to the destructive emerald ash borer, and are best avoided by homeowners.

When choosing a tree, consider:

• How much sunlight it needs
• Water requirements
• Your soil type
• How tall and wide the tree will grow
• Distance from buildings and power lines

Plant your trees early enough in fall to let them settle in before winter – late September or early October works best.

Get Expert Care to Prepare Your Trees for Winter

Good seasonal care leads to healthy, beautiful, long-lasting trees. Fall is the perfect time to complete these important tasks to help your trees through winter and prepare them for strong spring growth.

Whether you need fall fertilization, winter pruning, or just an expert to inspect your trees, Mathias Precision Tree Service is here to help. Call us at 314-322-7690 or request an estimate through our online form.