An RA Covenants Guide to Fall and Winter Tree Maintenance

by Lauren Freer, Covenants Administrative Assistant

With the season changing, here are some tips on how to keep your trees healthy through the fall and winter. If you are planning on planting any trees be sure to check the native tree guide located here: Recommended Native Trees in Reston.

Watering:
Did you know that you should continue to water your trees and plants through the fall right up to when the ground freezes? This helps them stay hydrated through winter. New and young trees will need to be watered frequently but established trees don’t need to be watered nearly as often (unless there have been long periods of drought).

If there are warmer stretches in winter, you can water as long as the ground isn’t frozen. This is especially important if your trees are exposed to road salt since salt can damage or kill trees if it gets into the root system.

Leaves and Mulch:
Many trees in Northern Virginia, such as Dogwoods, are susceptible to disease so proper maintenance is key to keeping them healthy.

Leaves that are left on the ground under the tree as they naturally fall tend to break down over the winter and create a layer of duff which adds organic matter to the upper horizon of the soil which can help insulate the tree’s root zone from rapid freezing and thawing. Do not pile leaves under your tree however, as piling leaves in the same area can suffocate your grass and trees.

If your trees are susceptible to disease, the best thing to do is to rake and remove any fallen leaves.

If your trees are not prone to disease, the leaves can be left on the ground if they are either mulched or shredded. Mulching the leaves under your trees can help them break down more quickly, however, do use caution and do not add an excess of mulched leaves, approximately two inches of mulch should be sufficient.

Mulching during the fall is a great way to help retain moisture, help to regulate the soil temperature, and protect the roots on the surface of the ground. Again, make sure you don’t over mulch, two inches of mulch should be sufficient. Make sure to remove the old mulch and then put down two inches of new mulch rather than just adding new mulch on top of the old.

Make sure your organic mulch is spread evenly around the base of the tree, taking care to avoid piling on the trunk and root flare or you might suffocate your tree and cause a myriad of other problems down the line.

Pruning:
An ideal time to visually inspect deciduous trees for any damaged, diseased, dead or dying branches that can potentially cause a safety risk to your property or person is once the leaves have fallen. Remember that no trees should be removed or pruned if they are in a clearly marked “Tree Save” or “Save Trees” area on your Fairfax County plat unless they are an invasive species Invasive-Plants-Prohibited-Plants-in-Reston-PDF.

Ornamental trees should be pruned in the spring/summer after they flower.

Since improper pruning can damage or kill branches, it is imperative to employ the proper techniques and/or hire a qualified professional such as an ISA Certified Arborist. Avoid pruning techniques that can damage or kill trees such as tree topping, flush cuts and lion tailing. As Reston Association’s Landscaping-Tree Removal Design Guideline states, tree topping is discouraged.

Arborists recommend using a three-cut method for pruning:
First Cut
 

First make an undercut (cut just ¼” to 1/3” upon the underside of the branch about 6” from the trunk) which will help prevent the branch’s weight from peeling the bark when the branch falls.
Second Cut
 

Then make a top cut (cut downwards a few inches out from the first cut) leaving a short stub behind.
Third Cut
 

Last, make a stub cut (remove the leftover stub without cutting into the branch collar).

Remember to always be aware of any Fairfax County requirements - such as if a tree is located within a Resource Protection Area (RPA) as well as any cluster/condominium association specific requirements if applicable. Also make sure to identify ownership of the tree before any work is conducted to ensure it is not either on a neighbor’s property or on common area/RA property. To see if your property is in an RPA, you can find the RPA map on the Fairfax County website. If you are unsure about whether something should be cut or the proper way to cut, please reach out to an ISA Certified Arborist for guidance!