It’s time to think spring

Spring has arrived in Utah, and it’s one of the most important times of year to check in on your trees. They’re just coming out of winter dormancy—extra early this season—and the right care now can prevent bigger issues later.

This is a great time to tend to a few proactive tasks to protect tree health, improve safety, and prepare your property for the months ahead.

On our suggested April to-do list:

1. Light pruning and hazard removal
   Now is a good time to remove dead or winter-damaged limbs and clear branches away from roofs, driveways, and walkways. This helps reduce risk of damage to property or trees from spring storms.

2. Check for sapping
   Do your trees appear to be sapping? Warm winters allow aphid populations to survive instead of being killed off by freezing temperatures, leading to explosive infestations early in the growing season. These aphids feed on tree sap and excrete large amounts of sticky honeydew (often mistaken for “sap” or frass) that coats leaves, branches, and anything below, sometimes leading to sooty mold. Regularly spraying trees with a strong stream of water can physically knock aphids off and wash away the honeydew, helping reduce populations without chemicals.

3. Spring tree health evaluations
   As winter winds down, assess overall tree health, bud development, and early signs of stress, pests, or disease—catching problems before they become costly.

4. Deep root watering and soil check
   Utah winters often leave trees drier than expected. It’s time to evaluate soil moisture and do some deep watering to support healthy growth.

5. Defensible space touch-ups
   Early-season fire mitigation includes clearing ladder fuels, pruning around structures, and removing leftover winter debris—getting ahead of the dry season.

April is such an important transition window. As trees are waking up, it’s the ideal time to identify winter damage, make small corrections, and support strong growth for the coming season. It’s not the time for heavy pruning, just smart adjustments and preventative care.

As always, call us up or text us any time you need help or just want to talk trees!