Late autumn in the UK, is an ideal time to complete the last of the harvesting jobs and begin the tasks of planting, protecting and pruning trees, before the winter sets in.
Planting
During November, hedging plants are available to buy at UK garden centres and are often a fairly cheap method for creating a border, giving structure to a garden design and providing a safe place for wildlife and small birds to nest.
Most trees and shrubs can potentially be trained into hedges with yearly pruning and maintenance. If you are looking to save on the cost, especially if you are buying several units, then go for bare-root specimens which are often cheaper than pot grown trees.
Furthermore, it is important to note that if you are buying trees and shrubs, that they should be planted out immediately so that they can get use to their conditions as promptly as possible.
Protecting
As the temperature is likely to drop over the coming months, November is also the perfect time to protect newly planted trees, hedges and shrubs from the incoming colder weather.
Where there is no natural shelter or protection, a temporary wind break made of netting is an excellent choice, as it will let in the light and allow the plant to breathe. Alternatively, plastic covers are great for the sunlight; however they can trap and freeze condensation which can harm your plant or cause rot.
Pruning
These months are known as the ‘dormant season’ which is perfect for pruning trees, shrubs and hedges. The dormant season is when they are effectively asleep and not undergoing any growth stages. Pruning is easier to carry out during this time, as many of the leaves are falling and so the skeleton shape of the tree becomes far easier to define. Some trees do have an exception to this pruning rule as ornamental fruit trees such as cherry, plums and almonds can be susceptible to silver leaf (a fungal disease which causes leaves to turn silver and branches to die off) if pruned during the autumn. Secondly, Evergreen trees are better pruned during early spring.
About City Suburban
Did you know that City Suburban Tree Surgeons Recycling are based in Croydon, Surrey and are here to support arboriculturists and commercial landscape gardeners who are looking to dispose of natural waste safely? We provide a tree waste management service and accept logs and brash as part of our green waste recycling services. If you are working within the area or passing us on route, please get in touch or see our website for further details.