Blog, Home Tree Care
Begin prepping your home (and trees!) for winter
Winter is just around the corner! Now is the time to prepare your home, and your trees, for the cold weather.
Set down a fresh layer of mulch
Mulch is a great way to preserve the moisture in the soil around your trees. According to Hansen’s Master Arborist Skip Kincaid, water helps your trees put “the right chemicals in the right place” to reduce the chances of tissues freezing during the winter. Choose an organic mulch over an inorganic one. Organic mulch like bark chips and shredded or ground wood decompose and provide nutrients to the soil.
Get your trees pruned
Pruning your trees in the fall and winter is a great time, as pests are dormant, and the pruning promotes spring growth. It’s also easy to remove compromised limbs that could easily break in a storm and under the weight of snow.
Don’t worry about the “right” time when pruning your trees. If your trees need to be pruned, get it done.
Turn off the water to your outside spigots
Avoid burst pipes and flooding this winter by turning off the water to all outside spigots! After turning off the water, make sure they drain any remaining water, and if you have a sprinkler system, it may require a blowout. Remove all hoses, drain them, and put them away for the winter.
Clean out your gutters
Overflowing gutters can lead to water flooding your home via hydrostatic pressure. To avoid this, ensure your gutters are cleaned of leaves and debris.
Check all detectors and alarms
Instances of home fires are higher in the winter due to the use of space heaters, fireplaces, candles, and more. Carbon monoxide occurs when fuel is burned in fireplaces, gas ranges, furnaces, et cetera.
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are essential for keeping your family and home safe. Run tests on these detectors and alarms and ensure the batteries are fresh.
Get your chimney inspected and cleaned
If you have a chimney, get it inspected and cleaned by a professional to remove the buildup of creosote and other debris. If not cleaned, it can catch fire. Remember never to burn things like Christmas trees in your fireplace!