March Tree Care | 5 TIPS for Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha tree care is impacted by the hardiness zone, unique local weather patterns, soil conditions & more! Get the most timely & relevant information from a local Omaha Arborist. Discover the steps you can take throughout the month of March to ensure the health and longevity of your Nebraska trees.
March Tree Care in Nebraska
Trees in Nebraska require extra care due to the changing weather conditions in March. With fluctuating temperatures and occasional snowstorms, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure your trees stay healthy. Here are a few tips for taking care of Omaha trees in March:
Plant new trees early:
Spring rains & summer heat stimulate top growth. Aim to plant (or transplant) early so trees can root deeply before storms and volatile weather. Do this when the weather permits, and the ground is thawed (So you can dig! 😆). Looking for direction on which trees to plant in Nebraska? Check out this link. If you have questions about the nuances of species selection or placement, reach out to a certified Omaha Arborist or your local extension office. Our team is here to help!
2. Provide adequate mulch.
Mulch is vital for maintaining moisture in the soil. It also inhibits damage from string trimmers by providing a gap between the tree and the lawn border. Mulching can be done any time of the year. However, many prefer to mulch in the Spring, to add a fresh, new look to the landscape. Others mulch in the fall to provide protect trees against winter weather conditions. How to mulch correctly: Spread a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around the base of your trees for maximum protection. If doing a re-application, top it off to equal a 3-4" depth. If applied incorrectly, mulch can promote trunk decay. Avoid mounding the mulch around the tree's base (aka Volcano mulching). Your mulch application should resemble a donut shape, with your tree in the center.
3. Prune your trees: It’s open season!
Pruning off any dead, diseased, or damaged branches will keep your trees healthy and reduce risk for homeowners. Removing water sprouts and suckers not only enhances aesthetics, but should promote good tree structure and training. Now is the recommended time to trim certain varieties, such as Oaks, Elms, Japanese Maples, yew bushes & burning bushes (See below), but it is a perfectly fine time to trim other species as well.
4. Avoid fertilizing trees in March.
Fertilizing in March can be too stressful for your trees, so it’s best to wait until at least April to fertilize. Think twice about fertilizing. There are only specific situations in which fertilizing is necessary (Ex. if the topsoil has been stripped off). Don't worry! Eastern Nebraska soils usually contain adequate levels of nutrients. That's what drives our agriculture industry and is one of the reasons we LOVE living in Omaha.
5. Apply Horticultural oil now through April.
If you have an Oak, Dogwood, Pine, Spruce, Maple, or fruit tree, you may opt to use Horticultural oil (formerly dormant oil). The time for chemical application is now through April. What is horticultural oil? Is horticultural oil right for you? Horticultural oil is a group of vegetable or petroleum-based products that protect plants against scale, mites & some plant diseases. It works by coating & suffocating the bugs overwintering in the branches. Horticultural oil will not fix the issue entirely, but it is effective at reducing pest populations & hopefully limiting damage to your tree over the spring & summer months. Horticultural oil is non-selective & may kill beneficial insects. Before any pesticide is used, the impact vs. benefits must be carefully & mindfully considered.
Do you have any tasks left over from your February to-do list?
It's not too late to check these items off your list, but the window is closing quickly. You know what they say... better late than never!
Prune select species while dormant: Oaks, Elms, Japanese Maples, yew bushes & burning bushes benefit from pruning during the dormant season. Pruning before bud break reduces risks of pests & diseases like Oak wilt & Dutch Elm Disease.
Inspect Ash trees for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): Don't wait until you see signs of disease. Get your Ash trees inspected and on the schedule for treatment in mid-May to mid-June.
Water your trees regularly: Even though it’s cold outside, the root systems of trees need water to stay healthy. Make sure to water your trees once a week, allowing the water to reach their root systems.
By following these tips, you can ensure your Nebraska trees stay healthy throughout the entire year.