As winter fades and temperatures rise, it’s easy to assume your trees will bounce back on their own. But spring is an important time for tree care – helping them recover from winter damage and setting
them up for a healthy growing season. With the right attention now, your trees will thrive all year long. Here’s what to include in your spring tree care checklist to keep them strong and vibrant.
Key Takeaways:
- Winter drought and salt damage require active mitigation in spring through deep watering and soil flushing to help trees recover from the harsh Massachusetts winter conditions.
- Spring is the ideal time to inspect trees for damage from winter storms and remove hazardous branches or trees that could pose safety risks to property and people.
- Proper mulching (2-4 inches thick while avoiding the root collar) helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and provide nutrients throughout the growing season.
- Save pruning of your spring-flowering ornamentals until after they bloom to avoid removing their buds.
- When planting new trees, select drought-resistant varieties and plant early in the season. This gives them the best chance to establish before the summer heat arrives.
7 Things to Do for Your South Shore Trees This Spring
As spring arrives and you spend more time outside, don’t neglect your trees. Massachusetts winters can be especially brutal in our area, and our ecosystem has unique problems that homeowners need to address.
1. Provide Supplemental Water to Help with Winter Drought Recovery
Droughts aren’t something to only worry about during the oppressive heat of summer. They are also a concern in the winter when we see little precipitation.
At the end of 2024, all of Massachusetts went through a massive drought as fall turned to winter. The dryness continued, with the South Shore remaining in a state of drought or abnormal dryness through most of the winter.
If you couldn’t water during winter due to frozen ground, give them the water they need in the spring to help them start the growing season on the right foot. To check if your tree needs water, dig a two-inch hole in the ground and feel the soil. If it feels dry, your landscape will benefit from supplemental water.
Use a soaker hose to deeply water the ground under the drip line (the area under the canopy). Alternatively, you can use a watering can for a small tree or a large bucket with holes in the bottom.
2. Prevent Salt Damage with a Deep Rinse
Salt and trees do not mix. When salt accumulates on branches, it can cause several issues. The leaves will turn brown in the spring, and evergreen needles will develop brown tips. The salt can also damage the roots by settling into the soil.
“South Shore trees face a double threat of salt damage in the winter. The first threat comes from salt used on roads to melt the ice and snow. The second is from the salt spray from the ocean. With so much potential for salt damage, you have to be vigilant about checking your trees, especially if you live in more coastal areas like Duxbury and Cohasset.” – Jeff Van Meter, Owner and Certified Arborist at Top Notch Tree
To counteract the damage, spray water on branches if you notice the signs of salt damage. The goal is to wash off any salt buildup. If the trees are near a road or driveway, flush the soil with clean water to remove the salt.
3. Inspect for Signs of Snow and Ice-Damaged Branches
While trees can naturally handle snow and ice weight on the branches, they all have their limits. Massive snow storms, like the ones the South Shore saw in early 2025, can cause branches to bend and break.
Branches that bow from heavy snowfall will typically recover after the winter, but if the branch snaps or begins to crack, it could be a danger. These branches are more at risk of breaking during a future storm, damaging your property or other branches.
Inspect your trees in the spring and look for signs of partially broken branches or fully broken ones trapped in the canopy. For safety, have a professional perform maintenance pruning to remove deadwood out of the tree.
4. Remove Any Hazardous Trees
Removal may be the only option if a winter storm or drought has significantly harmed a tree and turned it into a hazard. Hazardous trees pose a risk to your property and your safety if left standing.
While you can inspect a tree yourself to try and determine if it is a hazard, having an arborist perform a tree risk assessment will give you a more definitive answer. Once the arborist finishes their inspection, they’ll recommend if removal is the only option or if there are ways to save your tree.
5. Plant New Trees
One of the best times to plant trees is spring, as long as you give them extra attention throughout the year. Plant as early as you can to give your new seedling as much time as possible to establish before the summer heat arrives. Ensure it gets enough water to get through any dry periods.
When choosing a tree to plant, consider opting for one attuned to our climate. The summer heat and dry spells can be harsh, so pick one naturally resistant to heat stress.
6. Place a New Layer of Mulch Down or Refresh the Existing Mulch
Placing organic mulch around your tree has several benefits, including:
- Regulating soil temperature
- Retaining moisture in the summer
- Adding nutrients to the soil as the mulch decomposes
Spring is the perfect time to place mulch around trees that don’t have it or to check existing mulch. It should be in a layer that is two to four inches thick, and mulch should not touch the root collar (the part where the trunk meets the roots). If winter weather has caused the mulch to pile up around the trunk, carefully remove it to avoid mold and decay developing.
7. Prune Your Ornamentals After They Bloom
If you’ve had a professional handle pruning in the winter, there was one type of tree likely missing from the list: your ornamentals. Pruning ornamentals in the winter will remove their buds and result in a poor-looking tree. Time ornamental pruning to just after their flowers fade in the spring. Pruning at this time will avoid removing the buds and shape your tree for better aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Tree Care on the South Shore
Still have some questions about how to care for your tree during spring? We’ve answered some of the common ones from our customers below.
How long should I wait to start my spring tree care routine after the last frost?
You’ll want to adjust your schedule based on the temperature. Wait until it stays consistently above freezing before you do any watering or plant new trees. Of course, you can inspect your trees at any time, regardless of the temperature or season.
When is winter damage severe enough that I need to call a professional?
Some instances where professional help is likely necessary include:
- Cracks in the trunk
- Extensive canopy damage
- The tree is leaning
- Your tree appears to be dead
Should I fertilize my trees in the spring?
Fertilization in the spring can be effective, but we recommend conducting a soil test first. The test should reveal any deficiencies in the soil, allowing you to target the application to give your trees the nutrients they need rather than using a general fertilizer.
Top Notch Tree Can Help You Care for Your Trees This Spring
Whether spring comes early or late, having a plan to get your trees started on the right foot is crucial. With so much to do this spring, it may feel impossible to handle it all on your own. That’s where our team at Top Notch Tree can help.
Our team has the training and equipment needed to handle all aspects of your spring tree care. Whether you are looking for ornamental pruning or help removing a dead tree, we can help. Call us at 781-871-8008 or request an estimate today.
