Spring care tips for healthy trees and hedges

Spring is a transformative season for gardens, bringing new growth, blossoms, and a sense of rejuvenation. To ensure your trees and hedges thrive, it’s crucial to follow a comprehensive care regimen. 

This guide will cover essential spring care tips, including specific advice for fruit trees, general tree care, and hedge maintenance. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting stuck into your yard this spring, our tips will make you an expert gardener in no time.  

Why is spring tree maintenance important?

Tree care is essential in spring because this season marks a period of vigorous growth and renewal for trees. As temperatures rise and daylight increases, trees awaken from dormancy, drawing on stored energy to produce new leaves, flowers, and roots.

Proper care during this critical time, including planting, pruning, watering, and mulching, supports healthy development and maximises growth potential. 

Additionally, addressing pests and diseases early in the season prevents infestations from escalating, ensuring trees remain robust and resilient. By investing in tree care during spring, you set the foundation for a thriving, beautiful landscape throughout the year. 

Fruit trees in spring 

Can you plant fruit trees in spring?

Spring is an ideal time to plant fruit trees. The soil is warming up, and there's ample moisture to support new roots. 

Follow these easy steps when planting fruit trees 

• Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. 
• Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but no deeper. 
• Gently place the tree in the hole, spread the roots, and backfill with soil. 
• Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. 

This is especially important for deciduous fruit trees, which need time to establish before the heat of summer.

Popular new fruit tree varieties to grow in spring include:

• Pear trees 
• Orange trees
• Lime trees 
• Flowering trees that produce fruit 

Can I prune fruit trees in spring?

‍Pruning is essential for the health and productivity of any fruit tree. Remove dead or damaged branches, and thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation. Prune apple, pear, and cherry trees just before they break dormancy to encourage vigorous growth and fruit production. Proper pruning techniques will ensure a healthy plant and abundant fruit throughout the season.

Watering fruit trees in spring 

Newly planted and young fruit trees require regular watering. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Established fruit trees need about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or supplemental watering. Remember, maintaining appropriate soil moisture levels is crucial for their development.

How to trim fruit trees in spring? 

Trimming involves shaping the tree and removing water sprouts and suckers. Water sprouts are vigorous vertical growths that drain the tree's energy, while suckers grow from the base or roots. Remove these to maintain tree shape and health. This is especially important for mature trees that tend to grow vigorously. 

Care guides for different types of trees in spring

What happens to trees in spring?

Spring is a period of rapid growth for trees. As temperatures rise, sap flows more freely, and buds burst into leaves and flowers. This growth spurt is fueled by the tree's stored energy from the previous year. 

Which trees blossom in spring?

Many trees blossom in spring, including fruit trees like apple, cherry, and pear. Ornamental trees such as magnolias, dogwood trees, and redbuds also put on a spectacular floral display. A flowering tree is a popular choice during spring, with its fragrant flowers coming to life during this period of the year. 

Which trees bloom with purple/white flowers in spring?

Several trees showcase purple or white flowers in spring. Redbuds produce vivid purple blossoms, while dogwoods and magnolias often feature white or pink flowers. These trees add stunning visual interest to any landscape. Additionally, the creamy white flowers of magnolias are particularly eye-catching and fragrant.

Hedges in spring 

Is it a good idea to grow hedges during spring?

Growing hedges during spring is an excellent idea for several reasons. The mild temperatures and increased rainfall provide optimal conditions for young plants to establish their root systems and thrive. Spring's longer days and abundant sunlight also encourage vigorous growth, helping hedges to fill out quickly and form dense, healthy barriers. 

Additionally, planting hedges in spring allows them ample time to acclimate and strengthen before facing the stress of summer heat or winter cold. By starting in spring, you give your hedges the best possible start, ensuring they develop into strong, attractive features in your landscape.

When to trim hedges in spring?

Spring is an excellent time to trim hedges as new growth begins. Regular trimming helps maintain their shape and promotes dense foliage. Use sharp tools to make clean cuts and avoid damaging the plants. Trim evergreen hedges in early spring before new growth starts and deciduous hedges after they leaf out.

Establishing new trees in spring 

Should I be planting new trees in spring?

Planting new trees in spring is highly recommended due to the favourable growing conditions this season offers. The warming soil, combined with increased moisture from spring rains, creates an ideal environment for new roots to establish and thrive. 

Young trees planted in spring have the entire growing season to develop a strong root system, which helps them better withstand the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Additionally, the moderate temperatures of spring reduce the stress on newly planted trees, enhancing their chances of survival and healthy growth. 

When to start watering trees in spring? 

Newly planted trees need consistent moisture to establish their root systems. Water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring the soil is moist to a depth of 6-8 inches. This practice is essential for established trees and trees that bear fruit.

Tree diseases and pests in spring

What are common tree diseases in spring? 

Springtime can bring several tree diseases, including:

• Powdery mildew: a fungal disease that causes a white, powdery coating on leaves.
• Apple scab: affects apple and crabapple trees, causing dark, scabby lesions on leaves and fruit.
• Cedar-apple rust: causes yellow spots on apple leaves and can defoliate trees if severe.
• Peach leaf curl: a fungal disease that causes leaves to become distorted, thickened, and discoloured, ultimately reducing fruit yield.
• Plane Tree Anthracnose: a fungal infection that leads to leaf blight, and twig dieback, and can severely weaken plane trees over time. 

By maintaining the health of your trees with regular pruning, trimming, and mulching, you can prevent diseases from ruining their look and functionality. 

What are common tree pests in spring? 

Pests are also more active in spring. Common spring pests include:

• Aphids: small, sap-sucking insects that can distort new growth.
• Tent caterpillars: larvae that create silk tents in the branches of trees and defoliate them.
• Scale insects: small, armoured pests that can weaken trees by sucking sap from branches and leaves.
• Emerald ash borers: invasive beetles that kill ash trees.
• Elm beetle: pests that damage elm leaves.
• Red Gum lerp psyllid: sap-sucking insects harming eucalyptus.

Mulching trees in spring 

When to mulch in spring?

The best time to mulch trees in spring is after the soil has warmed up and begun to dry out from the winter's moisture. Mulching too early can trap cold, damp conditions in the soil, potentially leading to root or tree trunk rot. Waiting until the soil is adequately warmed ensures that the mulch will help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds effectively as the growing season begins. 

How to mulch trees in spring?  

To properly mulch trees in spring, start by clearing away any old mulch and debris from around the base of the tree. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or shredded bark, extending it out to the tree's drip line. Be careful to keep the mulch away from the trunk, creating a gap of a few inches to prevent moisture accumulation and pest issues. This method helps conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and improve soil health. 

Get your trees thriving this spring with help from Trav’s Trees Services  

From expert planting and precise pruning to effective pest management and nutrient-rich mulching, we offer comprehensive services that ensure your trees are healthy and vibrant this spring. We understand the unique requirements of different tree species and apply best practices to promote robust growth and long-term vitality.