Prepping for Autumn: Mulching & Maintenance
As summer winds down and the days begin to cool, many of us feel the urge to tidy the garden. But when it comes to your trees, that urge to “clean up” can sometimes do more harm than good.
At Blake Tree Care, we often see people rushing to remove fallen leaves or trim hedges too early. So, let’s clear up a few common misconceptions and show you how to set your trees up for a healthier autumn and winter.
Why You Should Let Sleeping Leaves Lie
Fallen leaves aren’t mess. They’re mulch.
Instead of bagging them up, binning them, or (worse) burning them, leave them beneath the canopy of your trees. They’ll naturally decompose into the soil, feeding the roots and improving the health of the tree.
Want to speed up the process? Run over them with a mower to break them down into smaller pieces. This creates a fine mulch that helps to:
Retain soil moisture
Suppress weeds
Insulate roots during winter
It’s a simple, eco-friendly step with just one caveat — that makes a big impact.
Note – there’s one exception: if you have a horse chestnut tree, it’s best to remove and dispose of the leaves. That’s because they can harbour the leaf miner pest, which overwinters in fallen leaves and re-emerges in spring to damage fresh growth. Clearing the leaves (by burning where permitted or using your brown bin) helps break this cycle and keeps the tree healthier.
Don’t Rush the Trims
You might be tempted to give your hedges and trees a pre-winter trim. But be patient.
Bird nesting season officially ends in September, which means you should wait until then to carry out any major pruning or hedge cutting. Trimming too early doesn’t just risk disturbing wildlife, it could also breach UK regulations that protect nesting birds and their habitats. Even if nests seem inactive, waiting until you're certain the season has passed is best.
Once September arrives, it's the perfect time for an annual hedge shape-up. By trimming after the final flush of growth, you’ll keep your hedges neat and healthy throughout winter.
Know What to Cut and When
Not all trees are the same when it comes to pruning. Timing is key for both the health of the tree and the success of the work.
Fruit trees (like apple and pear): Best pruned during their dormant period in mid to late winter (January – February). Pruning while still in active growth increases the risk of disease and reduces next year’s fruit production. Winter pruning encourages strong structure and healthy growth in spring.
Walnut trees: One of the few species that should be pruned in August, after the sap flow has slowed. Pruning walnuts at the wrong time of year (especially late winter or spring) can cause excessive bleeding and stress.
Overloaded branches: If you’ve got a fruit tree heavily laden with fruit, you may notice limbs starting to droop or even crack under the weight. In this case, carefully thin out the excess or damaged fruit to relieve pressure. This small step helps prevent structural damage and keeps the tree healthier through the season.
As one of our team recently told a customer, light thinning can be surprisingly therapeutic. It can even be done with a podcast and a glass of wine in hand — no ladders or saws required, just a bit of time and a tarp.
Common Misconceptions
While we’re at it, let’s bust a few common myths:
· “Fallen leaves are bad for the lawn.” – Only if they form a thick mat that smothers the grass. In smaller amounts, they’re helping nature along.
· “All tree work should be done in summer.” – Not true. Many trees benefit more from pruning in winter, when they’re dormant.
· “Cutting more makes a tree healthier.” – Over-pruning can be harmful. Bad cuts may leave wounds that trees will always carry internally. With time, they can seal over, but never fully “heal” like human skin.
When in Doubt, Call Us
If you’re unsure about what to cut, what to leave, or when to act, just ask. Tree care is about timing, species knowledge, and understanding how trees defend themselves. We’re always happy to offer advice or pop round for a quote if you need expert help
Final Thoughts: Let Autumn Do Its Thing
This season, resist the urge to strip everything back too early. A little patience – and a little trust in nature – goes a long way. Give your trees the chance to head into autumn stronger, healthier, and better prepared for the colder months ahead.
And if you’d like peace of mind about what your trees need, we’re only a phone call away.
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