As trees are preparing for their fall color display, you can help them prepare for a long, chilly winter. Follow these fall tree care tips to keep your tree healthy and strong:

• Mulch! Surround your trees with a layer of organic composted mulch to hold in moisture and reduce temperature extremes. Your trees will thank you for it! Apply mulch in late fall after the ground has frozen.

• Get out the pruning saw and remove out dead branches now to prevent issues in the winter.

• Wrap young or newly planted tree trucks with tree-wrap paper to prevent sun-scalding over winter. Wrap in late fall and remove in early spring.

• Evergreens lose water from their foliage all winter, since they keep their needles year-round. Water them thoroughly before the ground freezes, and don’t forget the mulch!

• Diseased leaves can re-infect a tree even if they have fallen to the ground. Remove leaves from around trees as they fall. Healthy leaves make excellent compost and can be shredded and raked over existing garden beds. Diseased leaves, however, should be disposed of rather than composted or burned.

Enjoy the beauty of fall!

Ella