Winter
December
Cut holly for holiday decorations.
Make holiday decorations from trees and shrubs in the yard. Inspect and prune trees for hazards and defects. Keep bird feeders well stocked and provide ice free source of water.
January
Inspect ice-storm-damaged trees. Schedule inspection of ornamentals and shrubs for scale insects.
Prune late summer blooming trees, shrubs and vines. Remove heavy snow from trees and shrubs.
General dormant safety pruning, reducing size of tall trees that resist wind and threaten to uproot. Reduce weight on end-heavy limbs, arching laterals subject to breaking.
Pine trees may exhibit “rust gall” which should be pruned out so as not to spread.
Take advantage of frozen ground for tree removal February.
Prune fruit trees to enhance fruit production. Apply a follow-up antidesiccant. Schedule inspection of your tree cables. Assess landscape with your arborist. Continue safety pruning. Feed the birds.
Spring
March
General pruning and thinning of vigorous growing trees. Remove all protective coverings and winter mulch.
Schedule spring fertilization for your trees and shrubs. Remove trees causing over-crowding to encourage beneficial landscape tree growth.
Recommended time for transplanting/relocating trees and shrubs with the least amount of negative impact to root systems.
Awareness to insects that may start early flight. Early dormant spraying (fruit tree, etc.) may be needed. Begin annual fertilizing; broadcast dry granules 10-10-10 over majority of landscape
April
Spray EPA approved materials to control disease and damaging insect populations.
Aesthetic pruning of smaller ornamental trees Focus on landscape continuity, design, simplicity, etc.
Schedule your spring fertilization. Plant hearty vegetables and bare root stock as soon as soil is workable.
Complete fruit tree pruning, and tree maintenance Perform rejuvenation pruning on summer flowering shrubs. Inspect hemlocks, pines, spruces and firs for cool season mites. Get lawn mower ready.
May
Inspect trees for diseases and treat as needed. Deep root feeding is necessary for low vitality trees, striving for increased quality. General pruning. Plant new perennials and summer bulbs. Divide mums and other late bloomers. Plant annuals after last frost.
Summer
June
Inspect and treat for defoliating caterpillars. General pruning. Deterrent to rodents and insects bridging to home by side trimming trees away from buildings, lamp posts, walkway and driveways.
Treat elm trees for Dutch Elm Disease.
Cover ripening berries with netting to protect from birds.
Divide spring bulbs that are crowding. Replant herb garden with new seedlings Keep a close watch for pests and disease.
July
Fertilize lawn and treat for white grubs. Water lawn and landscaped plants as needed. Infrequent deep watering is better than frequent light watering.
Treat azaleas, rhododendrons, and cotoneaster for lace bugs. Inspect and treat all landscape plants for warm season mites. Inspect and treat trees for defoliating caterpillars. Inspect and treat for adult Japanese beetles and aphids on all landscaped plants. Remove dead trees. Prune deadwood from trees; prune shrubs.
August
Sit back and enjoy the view. Perform late summer fertilizer application to lawn. Aerate lawns to improve nutrition uptake, relieve compaction and improve water infiltration. Re-seed bare areas in lawn and over-seed thin areas, inspect and treat for surface insects. Water lawn and landscaped plants as needed. Infrequent deep watering is better than frequent light watering. Inspect lawn and treat for crabgrass. Treat lilacs, dogwoods, various annuals, and perennials for powdery mildew. Treat landscaped plants for mites, lace bugs and Japanese beetles. Prune trees for dead wood. A few more weeks and the kids are back at school!
Fall
September
Apply fall fertilizer application to lawn. Fertilize trees and landscaped plants. Consider applications to control broadleaf weeds in the lawn. Monitor and treat for cool season mites and scale insects on pines, hemlocks, spruces and firs. Treat landscape for ticks.
Begin fall planting of new trees and shrubs.
Begin fall pruning of shrubs. Prune trees and evaluate for potential hazards.
Watch as the Ash leaves turn purple and then gold. Look forward to those clear, brisk fall days.
October – Start planning winter work! Recycle disease-free plant material into compost.
Plant new trees and shrubs or transplant existing ones.
Dethatch lawn if needed Apply lime to lawns Aerate lawns to improve water and nutrient uptake and to relieve soil compaction. Apply light application of fertilizer to trees and shrubs Winterize irrigation systems.
Plant spring flowering bulbs November Cut grass short to prepare for winter Winterize lawn mower Place guards on small trees and shrubs to help prevent rabbit and rodent winter browsing.
Apply antidesiccant to broadleaf evergreens.
