Plant trees before the ground freezes! According to the Arbor Day Foundation, “Fall is for Tree Planting. While spring is usually the first season that comes to mind when people think of tree planting, fall is also a great time of year to successfully get trees in the ground. Mild temperatures mean less stress on seedlings and less watering for you. Also, roots begin to become established in the fall, giving young trees a little extra time to develop a strong root system before the heat of the next summer sets in.”

Place a 4-inch layer of mulch a few inches away from the trunk to keep soil temperatures constant throughout the year, to retain soil moisture and to eliminate competitive weeds.

Continue regular watering of newly planted trees until the ground freezes.

Water mature deciduous and conifer trees if the ground is dry 4-6” down.

Prune branches that are clearly dead or damaged. If a tree is showing signs of disease (e.g. galls), contact a professional regarding best time of year to remove. Sometimes pruning a diseased branch or limb will release vectors (e.g. fungus spores) and cause the disease to spread.

Fallen leaves: many options!

• Leave them in your yard for wildlife habitat & soil building, use them as mulch on your garden, or compost them.

• Garden City Compost will accept leaves.

• If you put leaves in the street for leaf collection, check the City’s Leaf Collection Schedule and sweep them out as close to your pickup date as possible.

• Consider adopting a drain in your neighborhood through the City’s Adopt-A-Drain Program to help keep our storm drains and waterways clean and clear.

Continue regular watering of newly planted trees.

Water established trees during periods of drought.

Prune branches that are clearly dead or damaged. If a tree is showing signs of disease (e.g. galls), contact a professional regarding best time of year to remove. Sometimes pruning a diseased branch or limb will release vectors (e.g. fungus spores) and cause the disease to spread.

Protect trees from deer/elk rub and from rodents eating the bark.

Continue regular watering of newly planted trees.

If you notice signs of drought stress: wilting leaves, scorched leaves on the outer and top of canopy (the leaves furthest from the water); crown dieback from the edges and top, the trees needs water.

Keep an eye out for signs of insects or disease. Not all insects are pests. Consult Missoula County Weed District & Extension’s website at www.missoulaeduplace.org for more information.

Only remove dead, dying, damaged or diseased branches at this time.

Continue regular watering of newly planted trees.

July, August and September are traditionally Missoula’s hottest and driest months. Be sure to check soil moisture at a 4-6” depth within the tree’s root zone. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water. 

If trees are damaged during strong summer storms, consult a certified arborist to evaluate and correct any wounds vulnerable to insect or disease entry. Remove any hanging or dangerous limbs and branches.

Keep trees protected from mower and weed trimmer damage with a large mulch ring or caging.

Keep an eye out for signs of insects or disease. Not all insects are pests. Consult Missoula County Weed District & Extension’s website at www.missoulaeduplace.org for more information.

Stop planting trees once the weather becomes hot and dry. Wait until early fall for more favorable conditions for successful transplanting.

Continue regular watering of newly planted trees. If there has been little to no precipitation in the past month, check soil moisture around mature trees at a depth of 4-6”. If it is dry, time to water.

Prune branches that are clearly dead or damaged. If a branch is bare, do not assume it is dead. If it can be bent, it is most likely a living branch. If a tree is showing signs of disease (e.g. galls), contact a professional regarding best time of year to remove. Sometimes pruning a diseased branch or limb will release vectors (e.g. fungus spores).

Protect tree trunks from damage caused by mowers and weed trimmers with a ring of mulch or caging.

Keep an eye out for signs of insects or disease. Not all insects are pests. Consult Missoula County Weed District & Extension’s website at www.missoulaeduplace.org for more information.

While temperatures stay mild and cool, it is still time to plant containerized trees.

If the skies have not been providing moisture, check the ground 4-6” deep around mature trees and water if the soil is dry. Keep newly planted trees watered regularly.

Prune branches that are dead, dying, damaged and diseased. Remove vertical suckers from the crown of the tree and at the base of the tree trunk.

Renew decomposed mulch with a 2-3” layer of new mulch to diminish weeds that are beginning to grow, to keep soil temperature cool and constant and to keep mowers and trimmers at a distance.

As trees begin to leaf out, check foliage and branch tips for any signs of nutrition deficiency such as stunted growth, smaller-than-normal leaf size, poor leaf color, early leaf drop and thinning foliage. Other factors may be contributing to these symptoms. Before applying fertilizer, consult a certified arborist or Missoula County Weed District & Extension for guidance.

April is Arbor Month!

Saturday, April 12th: Run for the Trees! Register here.

Plant containerized and ball-and-burlap trees. Water thoroughly and mulch.

Check the soil moisture in tree root zones. If April’s showers are not providing enough moisture to reach tree roots, water trees.

Prune branches that are dead, dying, damaged and diseased. Remove vertical suckers from the crown of the tree and at the base of the tree trunk.

The grass is growing! Protect tree trunks from damage caused by mowers and weed trimmers with a ring of mulch or caging.

Keep an eye out for pests, such as aphids, and treat accordingly. For pest identification and advice, please visit Missoula County Weed District & Extension’s website at www.missoulaeduplace.org for more information.

Continue winter pruning until the temperatures are above freezing.

Plant bare root trees as soon as the ground has thawed. Water thoroughly and mulch.

If there has been little to no precipitation, water trees. Trees planted the previous fall are more vulnerable to desiccation during dry, windy conditions.

Register for Run for the Trees at www.runwildmissoula.org.

Gently remove heavy snow and ice from branches with an upward sweep of a broom or rake to prevent branches from breaking under the weight.

Continue winter pruning except on the trees that “bleed” (maple, elm, aspen, birch) until the temperatures are above freezing.

On sunny, warm days, check the soil moisture 4-6” deep around your trees’ root zones to see if they need winter watering, especially if there has been inadequate rain or snow. Water when the temperatures are above freezing and the ground is not frozen solid.

Plan spring tree planting using the Right Tree in the Right Place principles.

Order bare-root trees for spring planting.

Continue winter pruning to establish a healthy form and structure.