Leafy Advice

By Michelle Dellinger
Appears in the March 2021 issue.

Is there a better time of year to trim trees?
Spring is a good time to trim trees, but you can do it anytime. I recommend going in every four or five years. If you see any mushrooms or cavities or squirrel nests, those need to be addressed to find out if the tree is a hazard or not.

What other issues do you currently see in Chicagoland trees?
I consider climate change a big problem with trees right now. The drought from last summer will affect trees this summer. We also have lots of disease and insects in our area, and our soil conditions are very bad, so fertilize young trees every couple of years. Everyone forgets about their trees, but they are a valuable piece of your property, so why not maintain them?—MD

Illustration by Kevin Sterjo