Trees and shrubs in Missouri face a host of challenges throughout the winter months, from fluctuating temperatures to heavy snow and ice, storms, biting winds, and even hungry wildlife. Preparing your trees and shrubs to withstand these conditions is critical as winter quickly approaches.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how homeowners can make their landscape winter-ready and when to call an ISA-certified arborist to ensure the long-term health of your plants and shrubs.

Perform Tree and Shrub Maintenance

Start by performing these basic maintenance care steps:

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Native trees and shrubs in Missouri are well-adapted to the local climate — including hot summers and cold winters — and the soil, which can be a mixture of rocks and clay. While native species have developed resilience to withstand the region’s weather patterns and soil conditions, factors such as disease, pests, and activities like clearing fallen leaves and mowing with heavy zero-turn mowers, can all affect the health and hardiness of trees and shrubs.

In addition, the harsh winter’s frozen ground makes it hard for plants and trees to access minerals and nutrients they need to thrive. As spring begins to break and the ground begins to thaw, deep root feeding (DRF) gives the trees and shrubs in your landscape the boost they need to replenish their nutrient reserves and prepare them for the upcoming seasons.
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If you’re a homeowner, you may have a variety of trees dotting your landscape providing shade, serving as habitats for wildlife, and giving your property visual aesthetic all year long. While you may not have given much thought to caring for these natural beauties, pruning is vital to their overall health — promoting proper growth, improving structural integrity, and even mitigating potential safety hazards.

Caring for your trees may sound like a lot of work, but when it’s part of your annual home maintenance, it doesn’t have to be a big undertaking.

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Spring is in full swing, and as you are preparing your landscape for the upcoming hot summer months, it’s critical to pay special attention to your mature trees.

These trees are a valuable part of your landscape. In fact, “Streets with mature trees command higher home prices, temper the dog days of summer, and draw more people outdoors for fresh air, walks and chats with neighbors,” The Lawrence Times stated in an article about the importance of diversifying trees.

In addition, keeping your trees healthy is important because if a mature tree dies, it quickly transforms from a beautiful shade-bearing asset to a costly liability. This is especially true in Missouri, where violent and sometimes unexpected storms can quickly down dead or dying trees.

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