This article by Dr. Eric North, Urban Forest Program Manager with the Arbor Day Foundation, identifies steps homeowners should take in the spring to help care for their trees after a snowy, cold winter.

Tasks to Tackle

Watering: Once the ground is thawed, you can start watering before the leaves come out, especially if it was a dry winter.

Inspection: Look you tree over for any damage from critters, particularly along the trunk, or broken branches from snow or ice. If you think your tree died in the winter, wait before removing. Some trees are late bloomers.

Mulching: Refresh or redistribute mulch, especially around young trees. A ring of mulch 2 to 4 inches deep around the tree and at least 2 inches away from the trunk (think donut) helps retain moisture and reduce weeds.

Pruning: Prune broken branches and remove any fallen branches caught in the tree. Avoid pruning anything else, as some branches can be slow to leaf out.

Frost protection: If you’re expecting a late frost, cover your small tree or shrubs with a sheet or light blanket, leaving it open to the ground at the base. This will protect the newly expanding leaves or flowers.

What Not to Worry About

Leaf Litter: Leave the leaves! A leaf layer around the base of plants and trees can provide excellent habitat for beneficial insects and tends to break down quickly in the spring rains, adding nutrients for tree roots.

Fertilizing: Don’t fertilize trees unless you’ve had a soil test to determine what nutrients are missing.