Everything you need to know to prepare for the colder seasons when it comes to autumn tree care in the UK
In the UK, autumn is the season when trees steal the show – lighting up our natural environments with colour and contrast. But autumn is also a precarious time when it comes to tree health. In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know in order to keep your trees in good shape throughout the autumn.
With the leaves rapidly turning and daylight fading, autumn marks the season when trees shift their energy below ground, storing up on those reserves and consolidating them for winter.
While this is happening, changes in the weather and climate bring in wet, windy spells that can expose your trees to structural weaknesses.
When it comes to actually maintaining trees during these colder months, a little thoughtful care (and a few helpful tips) can make all the difference to how your trees cope with autumn and winter, and how they will perform when spring finally arrives.
Here are a few things to be aware of when it comes to tree care in autumn:
Autumn storms are something to be wary of
Storms are one of the first things homeowners should be thinking about once autumn rolls around.
In the UK, we’ve already seen the impact of September storms. In terms of treecare, storms produce strong winds, which act on heavy, leafy tree canopies, magnifying the weak points of the tree itself. At the same time, persistent rain will saturate soils and reduce root grip, while long, end‑weighted branches (that seemed so fine and abundant during summer) may start to look more threatening as gusts pick up.
A pre‑storm check by a qualified arborist is one of the most effective ways to invest in good autumntime maintenance on your property. At About Trees, we will typically inspect your property and look for tell‑tale issues on your trees; these can include: dead or split limbs hidden by foliage; old pruning wounds that haven’t sealed well; and changes at the root plate that suggest movement.
Pruning in autumn should only be done if necessary
A frequent question that we’re often asked (especially at this time of year) is whether it’s a good idea to prune in autumn, or whether you should hold off for a better season.
Well, the short answer is that heavy, non‑essential pruning is best avoided. As trees slow down in autumn, their ability to compartmentalise wounds also slows – this means that any cuts on the tree remain vulnerable for longer. Additionally, many decaying fungi will be releasing spores at this time, and fresh wounds can be an easy entry point (which can then cause a lot of unnecessary problems). On top of these potential headaches, significant autumn pruning can sometimes trigger late soft growth that is then easily damaged by frost, setting the tree back further.
All that being said, safety ultimately overrides the calendar. If there are some dead, damaged or diseased sections of wood that could fall or break, they should be removed – regardless of the month. Light tidying can be perfectly reasonable when done with care (and when following the UK regulations, of which we can keep you informed about!)
The most important factor to consider is that timing varies by species, and this is where tailored advice helps. For example, apples and pears generally respond best to pruning in winter – when the tree is dormant – as opposed to vigorous summer pruning. Cherries, plums, apricots and other stone fruits are better pruned in mid to late summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease, so autumn and winter pruning are best avoided. In general, major pruning in the autumn months is not necessary or advised for many trees; however, your arborist will be able to give you the best advice on this matter.
Autumn is the time to plant
For homeowners who are just getting started on their journey to enlivening their garden, it should be noted that autumn is an excellent time to plant.
This is because the soil is still warm during this season, rain is usually plentiful, and newly planted trees can start to establish roots before the real cold arrives. Choosing the right species for the location in your garden is crucial – however, this is something we can help you with.
Conclusion: Autumn can be a time of transition and opportunity for your trees
As with any other season, your trees will undergo a lot of change in autumn.
If you’re concerned about how your trees will fare in autumn storms, or unsure about the right time to prune a particular species, get in touch with our team to receive expert advice.
Alternatively, if you live in Kent and would like to discuss arranging an autumn tree care check or species‑specific pruning and planting needs then please get in touch by heading to our Contact page.