Monthly Care Calendar

Maintenance – February is time for your final dormant spray of lime sulfur or volck oil. Weeds and insects

become more active now. Weed regularly and spray for bugs as needed. Deciduous tree work should be well under way. Evergreens may still be sprayed but care should be taken depending on the day-to-day weather. Do not use dormant sprays if trees are showing new growth.

Placement – Bring trees in if a frost is forecast. Protect trees from runoff during rainstorms.

Watering – Water needs are increasing. Check the pots daily, but water only as needed (especially conifers). Too much water for conifers can create fungus issues that require spraying.

Feeding – Fertilize evergreen trees, but use slow-release, or low/no nitrogen fertilizers on established trees. For deciduous trees, consider waiting until March to avoid late season cold weather which may slow your trees down and make feeding them less efficient.

Wiring – Mainly evergreens and conifers now. For deciduous, wire only if the new foliage has not rolled out and you can see the structure. Care should be given to not apply the wires too tight.

Pruning – Allow flowering trees to flower and drop before pruning. For most other trees (but not tropicals), this is the best time for major pruning of branches. Minor pruning of growth can be done throughout the growing season.

Grafting – Late February and early March are usually good times to graft, particularly in evergreens.

Repotting – Transplanting, soil replacement and root pruning are prime tasks now. It is also a good time to

consider trunk placement and pot selection.

Repot Frequency:

Older trees (15 years or more)……………Repot every 3 to 5 years

Established trees (5 years or more)……… Repot every 2 to 4 years

Young trees (under 5 years)………………Repot every year or every other year

Cuttings – Hardwood cuttings can still be taken this month. It’s a good time for juniper cuttings.

Seeds – It is nearly too late for seeds that need cold stratification. If the outdoor temperature isn’t cold enough consider keeping your seeds in a refrigerator for 6-8 weeks. This creates a winter season for the seed and can increase the number of seedlings in the spring.

Soil – Check soil pH. Sulphur or iron tone reduces alkalinity; wood ash or gypsum lime reduces acidity.

March and April are still good months to repot most trees. Given our warm weather, many deciduous trees have already starting leafing out. The ideal time to repot deciduous trees is when the buds are swelling but leaves have not yet appeared. However, this is still a good time to be repotting conifers and evergreens. If a tree has started pushing a lot of new growth, however, you should be more conservative with your root pruning. Now is the time to think about any and all of the following tasks:

Transplanting, soil replacement and root pruning are prime tasks this month.

That makes it also a good time to consider trunk placement and pot selection.

Be diligent with your watering schedules. Your trees’ watering needs are increasing.

Bring any deciduous trees into full sun if they haven’t emerged from dormancy yet.

Put trees with tender new growth into partial shade during unseasonably warm weather.

Pinch back new growth as needed, except on flowering or fruit trees that haven’t finished blooming.

Remove root suckers as soon as they appear.

Resume fertilizing on most plants that haven’t been getting regular winter feedings.

But do not fertilize trees that have been repotted within the past 4-6 weeks.

Grafting time for most evergreens is done for the year, but deciduous trees can be grafted now.

Check soil pH. Sulfur and iron tone reduces alkalinity; wood ash or gypsum lime reduces acidity.

Trunks and branches are beginning to grow again, so beware of wiring that is cutting into the bark.

Weeds and insects are also becoming more active. Weed regularly and spray for bugs as needed

April is still a good month to repot some trees. Given our warm weather, most of your deciduous trees have already started leafing out. The ideal time to repot deciduous trees is when the buds are swelling but leaves have not yet appeared. However, this is still a good time to be repotting conifers and evergreens. If a tree has started pushing a lot of new growth, however, you should be more conservative with your root pruning. Now’s the time to think about some of these tasks:

Repotting should be completed soon, if not already.

Check your pots daily to assess water needs. The weather is getting hot again.

Diligently clip or pinch back new growth as needed, especially root suckers.

Rub off unwanted sprouts and take long shoots back to one or two pairs of leaves.

Resume a regular fertilizing regimen, except for trees that have just been repotted.

Rotate trees every few weeks to promote even growth.

Collecting native trees and most landscape species can continue this month.

This is a good time to be propagating with seeds, softwood cuttings and air layers.

Continue wiring, but watch for wire cutting into the bark, especially on younger, vigorous trees.

Keep an eye out for insects and other pests, and spray as needed.

As new growth sets, you can start defoliating trees that benefit from it (maple, elm, hornbeam, etc.)

Do not ever defoliate junipers, pines or other conifers.

Remove flowers that have wilted; cut back beyond the ovules to avoid your tree going to seed

Repotting season is just about done for all but your tropical species. Deciduous trees should have thick canopies, and some may be ready to defoliate. Keep on the watch for pests, dry pots and uneven exposure to sunlight. Now is the time to think about some of these tasks:

Check your pots daily to assess water needs. If possible, water in the A.M., before peak midday sun.

Diligently clip or pinch back new growth as needed, especially root suckers.

Remove flowers that have wilted; cut back beyond the ovules to avoid going to seed.

Rub off unwanted sprouts and take long (6+ sets of leaves) shoots back to 1 or 2 pairs/sets.

De-candle pines in June.

Continue a regular fertilizing regimen, except for trees that have just been repotted.

Place species that are sensitive to full sun and heat (e.g., maple) into partial shade or under cloths

Rotate trees every few weeks to promote even growth.

This is a good time to be propagating with softwood cuttings and air layers.

Continue wiring, but watch for wire cutting into the bark, especially on younger, vigorous trees.

Do not wire soft new shoots; if shaping is needed, tie them down instead

Keep an eye out for insects and other pests, and spray as needed.

It is a good time to defoliate deciduous trees like maple, elm, hornbeam, etc.

In lieu of defoliating, pruning of large leaves may also be beneficial.

Do not ever defoliate junipers, pines or other conifers.

June is a good time to transplant bougainvillea, azalea, schefflera, ficus and other tropicals

It is a good time to try bud grafting on fruiting species

Water diligently. If possible, do so before or after peak mid-day heat. Morning is usually best.

Plan for someone to water trees when you take your vacation. Automatic watering systems can fail.

Make sure pots don’t get too hot. Put smaller, darker pots in shade, or on north side of walls.

A layer of sphagnum moss on top of soil helps retain moisture in the pot.

Diligently clip or pinch back new growth as needed, especially root suckers.

Remove flowers that have wilted; cut back beyond the ovules to avoid going to seed.

Prune wisteria that have finished blooming; reduce all new shoots to about six inches.

Rub off unwanted sprouts and take long (6+ sets of leaves) shoots back to 1 or 2 pairs/sets.

Place species that are sensitive to full sun and heat (e.g., maple) into partial shade or under cloths.

Rotate trees every few weeks to promote even growth.

Maintain regular feedings, but consider reducing nitrogen for some plants.

Low or no nitrogen regimens are recommended for trees with strong fall colors, fruits or flowers

This is a good time to be propagating with softwood cuttings and air layers.

Check regularly for wire marks. Unwire and rewire trees with swelling branches and trunks.

Do not wire soft new shoots; if shaping is needed, tie them down instead

Watch for insects and other pests, and spray as needed, but avoid oil-based sprays on hot days.

Still a good time to defoliate deciduous trees like maple, elm, hornbeam. Never defoliate conifers.

It is a good time to transplant bougainvillea, azalea, schefflera, ficus and other tropicals.

Repotting most non-tropical species should be avoided. If you must, do not significantly prune roots.

Water diligently. If possible, do so before or after peak mid-day heat.

Plan for someone to water trees when you take your vacation. Automatic watering systems can fail.

Check your pots to make sure they aren’t getting too hot in the sun.

Consider moving smaller and darker pots to the north side of walls and fences, or into shade.

A layer of sphagnum moss on top of soil helps retain moisture in the pot.

Rotate trees every couple of weeks to promote even growth.

Keep an eye out for insects and other pests, and spray as needed.

Be careful with oil-based sprays that remain on foliage on hot summer afternoons.

Maintain regular feedings, but consider reducing nitrogen for some plants.

Low or no nitrogen regimens are recommended for trees with strong fall colors, fruits or flowers

Pinch back new growth with long internodes.

Reduce new growth to 2-3 leaf pairs as needed to maintain shape.

Unwire and rewire trees with swelling branches and trunks. Check regularly for wire marks.

Repotting tropical species, such as ficus or bougainvillea is fine

Repotting most non-tropical species should be avoided. Slip-potting without root pruning can be done.

It is still a good time to collect tropical species or native species that enter summer dormancy.

There is still time to begin ground layering and air layering. Softwood cutting season is winding down.

Grafting – Bud grafting, bark grafting on flowering/fruiting species is good from now to September

Time is running out to defoliate deciduous trees like elms, hackberries, zelkovas, and maples.

Cuttings can still be done, but the success rate will be lower this late in the season

It’s a good time of year to take photos of all of your trees in their full growth.

Hot dry weather is an ideal time to apply lime sulfur to deadwood on jins or shari.

Water only the soil only for a few days to avoid washing the lime sulfur away

Water diligently. If possible, do so before or after peak mid-day heat.

Plan for someone to water trees when you take your vacation. Watering systems can fail.

Make sure your pots are not overheating in the sun. Move small/dark pots into cooler locations.

Rotate trees every couple of weeks to promote even growth.

Keep an eye out for insects and other pests, and spray as needed, but avoid oil-based foliage sprays.

Maintain regular feedings, but reduce nitrogen for trees with fall color, fruits or flowers

Prune new growth with long internodes. Remove weak or dead foliage.

It is too late to safely defoliate deciduous species.

Check regularly for wire marks. Unwire and rewire trees with swelling branches and trunks.

Repot tropical species like ficus or bougainvillea is fine. Most non-tropical species should be avoided.

It is a good time to collect tropical species or native species that enter summer dormancy.

It is a good time to start ground layering and air layering.

Propagation by cuttings should be focused hardwood cuttings or softwood on tropical species only.

Bud grafting, bark grafting on flowering/fruiting species is good from now to September

Hot dry weather is an ideal time to apply lime sulfur to deadwood on jins or shari.

Water only the soil only for a few days to avoid washing the lime sulfur away

As weather cools, you’ll need to water less, but we’re still prone to Santa Ana winds and heat waves.

Clean falling leaves from soil to discourage slug and insect infestations.

Trees kept in shade or morning sun in summer due to transplanting or root pruning can take more sun.

As we get into Fall, deciduous trees need shade or mottled sunlight to encourage dormancy.

You can still fertilize, but use more low or no nitrogen formulas.

Feed Japanese Black Pine 0-10-10 in advance of needle pruning in December/January

Prune new growth with long internodes. Prune or remove yellowing needles.

Unwire and rewire trees with swelling branches and trunks.

October is a good month to start hardwood cuttings.

Take 4”-5” cuttings; strip foliage from bottom two-thirds, apply root compound and place upright

It is prime time for collecting fresh seeds.

Live oak acorns, maple, Chinese elm seeds and sweetgum (liquidambar) seeds are plentiful.

Clean falling leaves from soil to discourage slug and insect infestations.

Trees that were kept out of full sun after transplanting or heavy root pruning should get full sun now.

Deciduous trees need shade or mottled sunlight to encourage dormancy.

Keep an eye on the overnight forecast. If temps drop into the 30s, bring tropicals inside.

As weather cools, you’ll need to water less, but heat waves and Santa Ana winds increase water needs.

You can still fertilize this month, but use low or no nitrogen formulas.

Feed JBP 0-10-10 this month and next, in advance of needle pruning in December and January.

Yellow and brown needles can be pruned now.

As trees start shedding foliage, it is a good time to remove wire and/or rewire.

Some trees are becoming more brittle and less suitable for heavy wiring.

Transplanting can be done safely on healthy trees, but do not bare root or severely root prune.

This is a good month to start hardwood cutting.

Take 4-5″ tip cuttings; strip foliage from bottom two-thirds, dip in rooting compound and place upright in rooting medium.

It is prime time for collecting fresh seeds. Live oak acorns, maple, Chinese elm seeds and sweetgum seeds are plentiful.

It’s a good time to start air layers on junipers for removal next summer.

Clean falling leaves from soil to discourage slug and insect infestations.

Trees that were kept out of full sun after transplanting or heavy root pruning should get full sun now.

Deciduous trees need shade or mottled sunlight to encourage dormancy.

Keep an eye on the overnight forecast. If temps drop into the 30s, bring tropicals inside.

As weather cools, you’ll need to water less, but heat waves and Santa Ana winds increase water needs.

You can still fertilize this month, but use low or no nitrogen formulas.

Feed JBP 0-10-10 this month and next, in advance of needle pruning in December and January.

Yellow and brown needles can be pruned now.

As trees start shedding foliage, it is a good time to remove wire and/or rewire.

Some trees are becoming more brittle and less suitable for heavy wiring.

If transplanting, work on healthy trees only, and do not bare root or severely root prune.

This is a good month to start hardwood cuttings and juniper air layers.

Take 4-5″ tip cuttings; strip foliage from bottom two-thirds, dip in rooting compound and place upright in rooting medium.

It is prime time for collecting fresh seeds like live oak acorns, maple, Chinese elm & sweetgum seeds.