With the wet and windy months on the horizon, are your trees in order? You may be wondering which of the fall chores are a must to put some protection around your property and which can be left for spring. Then there is the matter of what to do when a storm puts in an appearance in the Rogue Valley and you have branches to deal with.
We are L&J Tree Service, a Medford company owned and run by a family. For homeowners in Jackson and Josephine counties we provide tree care with a staff that is bilingual and a crew whose combined experience in Southwest Oregon runs to more than 30 years. Give us a ring at (541) 502-3337 if you would like to discuss your fall tree care.
There is no better time of year to tend to your trees than in the fall. Summer’s heat is behind you, the trees are slowing their growth and making ready for winter. Some attention now will see your property and your trees in good health come the cold.
Why Fall is Important
In Southwest Oregon the fall is a combination of warm days and nights that are cooler and wetter. Your trees pick up on that change, as should you. A branch that is not up to the task can become a hazard once the wind and rain set in; it is better to get on top of things before they become a problem.
Most of what you need to do to safeguard your trees is easy to put in place. We suggest the following for your list of fall jobs:
- Put an eye on trees for any dead or cracked branches that might give way in a storm
- Do some pruning to take out the weak growth ahead of the weather
- Rake up leaves and debris from the base of the trees
- After the dry summer you will want to check for exposed roots or a trunk on a lean
- Brace or cable larger limbs that are splitting
- Have any stumps from summer removals ground
- Clear brush and reduce fire fuel before the wet season
Pruning When It Cools Down
The dormant season and fall are well suited to the pruning of many a tree. The thinning of the leaves lets you see where a tree is at and what its shape is. Take away the dead wood and you lessen the likelihood of a branch breaking off in a winter storm and ending up in an inconvenient spot.
Of course one does not simply hack away at what is unsightly; a poor cut will only weaken the tree and open it to disease. Our crew is mindful of safety and will be glad to explain what is called for with your particular trees.
Storm Season
Rogue Valley winters and falls have a way of producing the sort of wind and rain to bring down a limb or the whole tree. The soil gets soft and the weight of a branch is enough to catch the wind. Those of us in Medford, Ashland, Eagle Point, White City, Central Point and Grants Pass are familiar with how a quiet day can be made into a mess in short order.
Preparation is your best defense. Once you have checked the unstable trees and cleared the weak limbs you are in a better position. And should a storm do its damage, you have us. We are on call 24/7 for emergency and storm service so you can reach us even outside of regular hours.
On Land Clearing and Fire Fuel
It is also a good idea to consider the wider picture of your property this time of year. The blackberry bushes and undergrowth have had a year to put in some size. We make it our business to clear that out for the homeowner and commercial alike in Southwest Oregon, keeping the land in order and fire fuel at bay.
Hours and Contact
For your ordinary tree care work we are here from 7:30 to 5:30 Monday to Saturday, and at all hours for an emergency. Being locally owned we put a lot of stock in the community and in being good communicators.
If you find your list of fall tasks getting unwieldy, let us handle some of it. We will put in a free estimate so you know what is required of your trees before you make any decisions. Call L&J Tree Service at (541) 502-3337 and we will put our experience to work for you.