Video:Fall Tree Care

SHARE ON                

Transcript:Fall Tree Care

When it comes to planting trees, fall is an excellent time. Many fruits and nuts are ripening now and it's also important to do your fall tree care now, to prepare them for winter.

Planting Trees in Fall

Most trees can be planted in fall. The temperatures are cooler, stressing the trees less and allowing them a better chance to get their roots established.

Caring for Young Trees in Fall

Young trees are especially susceptible to the temperature changes that come with winter in cold climates. They are usually not developed enough to withstand the constant freezing and thawing that may occur. One way to help combat this is with a thick, 3 to 6 inches of mulch layer.

Do not put it right up against the trunk - this can cause moisture buildup that attracts fungus. You can use bark chips or leaves. Put this mulch layer down once the ground has frozen. Another way is to wrap the trunk with burlap or tree wrap up to the lowest branch.

Watering Trees in Fall

At the beginning of autumn, stop watering until the leaves fall from the trees. Once they fall, water your trees until the ground freezes so they will have enough water to live through the winter drought.

Fertilize Trees in Fall

Watch for signs that your trees need fertilization. Some signs that may indicate a nutrient problem are:

• Reduced growth in branches and leaves
• Leaves changing colors and falling earlier than usual
• Wilting

Fertilizing in fall can cause rapid new growth, which could be damaged in winter. So consider fertilizing in spring if possible.

Prune Trees in Fall

Make sure to remove the 3 D's - dead, diseased or damaged parts. You can also prune branches that aren't growing the way you would like. Prune lightly because next year's flower buds have already been formed, and heavy pruning would affect the next spring's flower production.

Tree Fruit Harvested in Fall

Well, finally, some fruits to harvest in the fall are:

• Apples
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Citrus fruits
• Figs, in California
• Guavas
• Mangoes
• Nectarines
• Olives
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Pears
• Persimmons

Tree Nuts Harvested in Fall

Likewise, some nuts to harvest in the fall are:

• Almonds
• Black walnuts
• Chestnuts
• Hazelnut
• Hickory nuts
• Pecans
• Pistachios

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit About.com.