Spring Tree Care Checklist for Davenport Properties

As spring finally emerges in the Davenport area, it’s time to get outside and check on your trees. Although dormant, trees can experience a lot of stress in winter, especially when faced with nonstop snow and ice storms, like in late 2024.

If you want to ensure your yard is beautiful, shaded, and green this spring and summer, then give your trees the attention and care they need to thrive. Here’s a spring tree care checklist to get you started.

Key Takeaways:

• Winter storms have likely caused hidden damage to your trees that could lead to expensive problems if not addressed this spring.
• Early inspection and proper tree care now prevents costly emergency services and helps protect your home from falling branches.
• Simple steps like proper mulching, pruning, and fertilization help ensure your trees stay healthy and strong all year long.

1. Look for Winter Tree Damage

The harsh winter weather has likely left its mark on your trees, particularly after ice storms and heavy snowfall, putting a ton of weight and stress on branches.

As the snow starts to melt, head outside and make a thorough sweep of your trees. Look for winter tree damage, such as:

• Broken or cracked branches hanging in the canopy
• Split branch unions where limbs meet the trunk
• Bark that’s cracking, peeling, or falling off
• Areas of the trunk that look sunken or decayed
• Leaning trees or exposed roots
• Ice damage where branches have snapped

Be extra vigilant for trees close to your home, driveway, road, or sidewalk, that could cause costly damage or injury should they drop heavy branches. Walk your yard and look up into the canopy for broken, cracked, or hanging branches. These weakened limbs can fall without warning, especially during spring storms.

Next, examine the trunk of each tree. Deep cracks, peeling bark, or signs of decay suggest the tree’s structure might be compromised. Even smaller issues like bark damage or split branch unions can lead to serious problems if left unchecked. These wounds create entry points for insects and diseases, which can spread throughout your tree as temperatures warm up this spring.

2. Remove Dead and Broken Branches

This task is best left for professionals. Dead, broken, or hanging branches can be very dangerous. What might look like a reasonable branch could be extremely heavy. Plus, getting on a ladder is risky in and of itself. It’s just not worth the potential injuries or damage to your home.

That being said, spring is a great time to have some light pruning work done, specifically to remove damaged branches caused by winter storms and clean up your canopies before the spring growth emerges.

The snow and ice storms we face each winter can do a ton of damage, even to healthy trees. While it might be tempting to wait until everything greens up, removing damaged branches now prevents bigger problems later on.

If you attempt to prune small branches on young trees, remember that proper pruning cuts are essential for quick healing and to prevent disease. One wrong cut can create an entry point for insects and fungi that could damage or kill your tree.

3. Add Fresh Mulch Around Your Trees

One of the best ways to spruce up your yard and curb appeal come springtime is some fresh, organic mulch. Not only does it make your yard look clean and inviting, it offers serious support to your trees. Quality, organic mulch:

• Helps soil retain moisture during dry spells
• Prevents weeds from stealing water and nutrients
• Protects roots from lawn mower damage and reduces soil compaction
• Keeps soil temperature stable as weather fluctuates
• Adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down

Apply organic mulch, like wood chips or shredded bark, in a ring around each tree, about 2 to 3 inches deep. But keep it a few inches away from the trunk. Creating a small gap between the mulch and tree trunk prevents moisture buildup that can lead to rot and insect problems.

If you really want to give your trees the best, remove turf and mulch all the way out to the dripline. Consider adding in a few shrubs, clump grasses, or wildflowers as well to create a mini ecosystem under your tree.

4. Get a Professional Tree Checkup

You don’t just need an expert arborist if your trees have large, broken branches. Spring is also a great time for a general inspection and checkup for your trees to evaluate their overall condition, and see what they need to continue thriving.

An experienced arborist can spot potential problems that most homeowners miss, like structural issues inside the tree or early signs of disease, that aren’t visible to untrained eyes. During a spring inspection, an arborist might recommend:

• Root Flare Exposure and Cleaning: Buried root flares can slowly kill your tree and make it more likely to fall in storms.
• Soil Aeration or Decompaction: Compacted soil suffocates tree roots and blocks water absorption, leading to decline over time.
• Removal of Girdling Roots: These roots wrap around the trunk or other roots, essentially strangling your tree to death.
• Cabling or Bracing Installation: Provides extra support for split trunks or weak branches that could fall on your home.
• Early Pest or Disease Treatment: Catching problems now is much cheaper than waiting until your tree shows serious damage.

Think of it like an annual appointment with your doctor – but for your trees. Just because they look fine on the outside doesn’t mean there aren’t issues developing beneath the surface. A Certified Arborist can create a care plan specific to your trees and property, helping prevent costly problems before they start.

5. Apply Fertilizer to Jumpstart Spring Growth

Spring is the perfect time to give your trees the nutrients they need for healthy growth. Giving them nutrients now will boost their growth, helping trees to put out lush, vibrant foliage, while also staying healthy and resisting pests and diseases.

However, don’t just scatter fertilizer around your trees and hope for the best. Too much of the wrong fertilizer can actually harm your trees. Instead, consider having your soil tested first. This tells you exactly what nutrients your trees need, preventing waste and potential damage from over fertilization. And trees in different parts of your yard might require a different fertilizer.

For most Davenport trees, a slow-release fertilizer works best. It provides steady nutrition throughout the growing season rather than a sudden burst that can cause weak, unstable

growth all at once. Apply it just as the ground thaws but before trees start pushing out new leaves.

For best results, and to ensure you don’t use the wrong fertilizer (or apply too much fertilizer), let the experts at Arbor Masters take care of this spring task for you.

6. Watch for Early Signs of Pest or Disease Problems

As temperatures warm up in Davenport, both insects and tree diseases become active again. Trees that are stressed or damaged from winter storms are especially vulnerable to attack, and what starts as a small problem can quickly spread throughout your tree.

Look for these warning signs that could indicate pest or disease issues:

• Tiny holes in tree bark with sawdust trails
• Dark spots or discoloration on leaves
• Sticky residue on leaves or branches
• Weeping or oozing areas on the trunk
• Branch tips dying back or wilting
• White, powdery coating on leaves
• Mushrooms growing on the trunk or roots

The good news is that most pest and disease problems can be managed if caught early. But waiting too long allows these issues to spread, potentially killing your tree or making it unstable and dangerous. If you notice any of these symptoms, especially on trees near your house, have them checked out by an arborist before the problem gets worse.

7. Plant New Trees the Right Way

Fall may be the best time to plant new trees in the Davenport area, but spring is a close second. So, if you’ve been hoping to fill in some gaps in your landscape, now’s the time to make a plan and get planting.

But proper planting technique matters if you want your tree to thrive now and for decades to come. A tree planted incorrectly today could develop serious problems years down the road, or it can simply fail, wasting your time and money.

Start by choosing the right location. Consider:

• Overhead power lines that your tree might grow into
• Underground utilities that roots could interfere with
• Distance from your house, driveway, and sidewalks (keep larger trees 20-30 feet away from structures, even though their tiny now)
• Sun exposure throughout the day and year
• Soil drainage in the planting area

Planting the right tree in the right part of your yard is the best thing you can do to help your tree thrive. But you also want to make sure you plant it correctly.

The most common planting mistake is putting the tree too deep. Plant it so the root flare (where the trunk starts to widen at the base) sits slightly above ground level. This prevents rot and helps roots develop properly. Water thoroughly after planting and add a layer of mulch, keeping it away from the trunk.

FAQs About Spring Tree Care in the Quad Cities Area

How long should I wait to prune storm damaged branches?

Don’t wait. Damaged branches are a hazard and should be removed as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your tree or property. Certified Arborists, like those at Arbor Masters, work year-round. Even if a winter ice storm damages your trees, we can be out there pruning as soon as the weather allows us to operate safely.

When is the best time to fertilize trees in spring?

Apply slow-release fertilizer just as the ground thaws but before trees start producing new leaves. This ensures nutrients are available when your tree needs them most.

How can I tell if winter damage has made my tree unsafe?

Large cracks in the trunk, leaning trees, or exposed roots are serious warning signs. If you notice any of these issues, especially on trees near structures, contact an arborist immediately.

Protect Your Trees and Property This Spring with Help from Arbor Masters

Winter storms have put tremendous stress on Davenport’s trees. Taking action this spring with proper tree care helps you deal with potential problems quickly and ensure your trees stay healthy, strong, and beautiful all year long.

Don’t wait for minor tree issues to become major headaches. The Certified Arborists at Arbor Masters can inspect your trees and create a customized spring care plan to protect both your trees and property. Call us at 563-355-7508 or fill out our online form to request a quote.