Summers in North Carolina can be hot and muggy – during this time you will need to make sure that your backyard trees have all the nutrients that they need to thrive and plenty of water. The winters are often wet and snowy. You should get your trees ready for the cold season in late fall so that they are well-protected. Some of the native trees to the area, like the red maple, are relatively hardy, but there are more delicate species, like the magnolia tree that will need some extra care. Your efforts will be truly paid off though when the tree blossoms in the springtime.
Keeping your trees pruned
North Carolina can have fierce storms and tornadoes, particularly in the spring and fall months. So that your backyard trees are strong enough to survive the storms, you should make sure that they are pruned regularly. The yellow poplar, a common tree in backyards, grows extremely quickly, and this makes it “weak wooded” and prone to breaking. Getting a landscaping and tree care specialist to prune the poplar can help it grow strong. They will be able to thin out the branches, removing the weak ones, so that they don’t suddenly snap, causing damage to you or your property. The Leyland cypress is also prone to breaking and toppling in extreme weather. Keeping the tree pruned and restricting new growth will help it to survive the storms.
Protecting tree roots
Many of the more delicate North Carolina species like the magnolia will benefit from extra care to help them survive the winter. The tree has a very shallow root system that should be protected during the winter months. In late fall, layer up plenty of mulch around the tree’s roots and secure hessian sacking around this. The crepe myrtle would also benefit from some extra protection in the winter. If you are keeping small ornamental trees in pots in your backyard, such as the Japanese maple, then you should try and keep these completely covered over the winter months or bring them inside if you can.
Summer tree watering
The river birch tree is often found around swampy areas, but many people keep them in their backyard too. It is a species that can handle the heat well, but it would benefit from some extra watering in the summer months, or the leaves have a tendency to drop off. Every week during the summer months, give your birch a good soaking down around the base of the tree. The classic American beech also needs a lot of moisture and could do with an extra drink in the summer months. It’s worth setting up a simple watering system to keep your trees happy and healthy in the heat if you’re away from home for any period of time.
The North Carolina climate is not always easy for backyard trees. But with some pruning and care, they will survive the temperamental weather and thrive year after year.