A Guide to Winter Watering For Newly Planted Trees

Watering an evergreen tree before the winter season.

A Guide to Winter Watering For Newly Planted Trees

The first step to improving your home’s curb appeal and aesthetics is ensuring that the Midwest winters do not ruin your newly planted trees and shrubs.

At Weller Brothers Landscaping, our team is committed to educating homeowners about uncommon practices that can save you money and headaches in the spring.

Below is a simple guide to winter watering in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and Des Moines, IA, to help your newly planted trees thrive through their first winter season.

Why is Winter Watering Vital?

In the fall and winter, trees drop their leaves and become dormant as they prepare for the colder temperatures. However, this does not mean they stop growing this time of year. Newly planted trees experience the greatest growth in their root system during the winter months.

Midwest winters can often be unpredictable, with two or more weeks without snow cover. This leaves roots susceptible to drying out, causing severe root damage. Neglecting to properly water your tree before winter is the largest contributing factor to the mortality of newly planted trees.

Establish Your Watering Routine

It is best to slowly water any newly planted trees with 10–15 gallons of water once a week before putting your hose away for the winter. If the temperatures rise above 40 degrees at any point in the winter, this is a great time to take advantage and let your trees grab a drink.

Before winter: Continue to water your trees until the ground freezes. Slowly give your newly planted trees 10–15 gallons of water.
During winter: If the temperatures rise to 40 degrees, and your tree does not have snow cover, you can water your tree during the winter. We recommend 10–15 gallons of water at midday to ensure the tree can soak up the needed amount of water before evening temperature drops hit.
Following spring and summer: Continue to water the trees once a week with 10–15 gallons of water. The amount of water should be increased when the weather is dry, windy, or during prolonged periods of drought and sunshine.

Additional Winter Tree Care Tips

Young trees, especially thin-barked trees, are susceptible to sunscald and frost cracks because of the drastic winter temperature fluctuations. To prevent bark damage from the outdoor elements, or even your favorite furry friends, you can use commercial tree wrap.

Mulch base is another great way to ensure that your trees have a form of insulation. Mulch will also reduce soil evaporation and improve water absorption, allowing your tree to soak up every drop of water it may need to continue growing.

Contact Us To Prepare Your Trees For Winter

Proper tree care leading up to and during the winter months is crucial for tree health and survival. We know you may not be a tree care professional, but we are! Let the team at Weller Brothers in Sioux Falls, SD, Rochester, MN, and Des Moines, IA, take the guesswork out of winter preparation this season.

Consider the Soil | Tree Talk With Sam

Consider the soil

Tree Talk with Sam

Weller Brothers’s “Tree Talk With Sam” series is produced in partnership with Sam Kezar, Board Certified Master Arborist with Aspen Arboriculture Solutions in Sioux Falls, SD.

So You Want to Plant a Tree

There are hundreds of different types of trees that you can select from when planting, however, first, you should consider your soil type.

Sam is here to tell you how to determine your soil type to select a tree that will thrive for years to come!

Contact Us for Sioux Falls Tree Removal or Health Care

Between our team of certified arborists at Weller Brothers and the expertise of our consultant Sam at Aspen Arboriculture Solutions, your trees are in good hands in Sioux Falls, SD!

Sioux Falls tree talk

Tree Diversity | Tree Talk With Sam

Tree Diversity

Tree Talk with Sam

Weller Brothers’s “Tree Talk With Sam” series is produced in partnership with Sam Kezar, Board Certified Master Arborist with Aspen Arboriculture Solutions in Sioux Falls, SD.

Diversify Your Tree Species

Trees offer many benefits to a homeowner including curb appeal and shade. To avoid disease and pest infestation, you should diversify the species of trees you plant in your yard.

Sam is here to tell you why you should select a variety of tree species to avoid infestations in the future!

Contact Us for Sioux Falls Tree Removal or Health Care

Between our team of certified arborists at Weller Brothers and the expertise of our consultant Sam at Aspen Arboriculture Solutions, your trees are in good hands in Sioux Falls, SD!

Sioux Falls tree talk

Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs This Summer – Here’s Why

Evergreen shrubs in landscaping in Sioux Falls, SD

Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs This Summer – Here’s Why

After a long day of being in the summer heat, a cold glass of water in the air conditioning is just what you need.

But what about your shrubs and trees? No, you do not need to build a custom air conditioner – you just need to fertilize them!

Much like humans, trees and shrubs need essential nutrients to continue thriving. This is as easy as one annual application to ensure they stay happy, healthy, and boosting your curb appeal.

Learn why you need to schedule your shrub and tree fertilizer today from the professionals at Weller Brothers in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, MN.

Four Reasons Why You Need to Fertilize Your Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs are living investments that grow in value each year. The foundation of their life span starts with properly maintaining them. Established trees and shrubs require appropriate and timely maintenance, such as pruning, watering, fertilizing, and mulching to enhance their health and growth.

1. Bigger and Better Flower Production for Shrubs

If you have evergreen shrubs (junipers, arborvitaes, or boxwoods) that are common in the Midwestern area, you have likely enjoyed the aesthetic flowering season.

Soil does not commonly contain the needed amount of nutrients needed to promote flourishing flowers on your trees, so fertilizer will prompt and support flowering.

2. Vibrant Foilage Color

Fertilizers contain nutrients that trees need to continue growing lusciously. Nitrogen, which is commonly found in fertilizers, helps tree foliage maintain a vibrant and thick foliage.

If your tree or shrub has a nitrogen deficiency, you may notice that the leaves are a pale yellow-green color. To properly diagnose and treat your tree, you should consult a certified arborist to ensure that pests and diseases are not playing a factor in the diminishing look of your trees.

Large evergreen tree in a Sioux Falls, SD backyard created by Weller Brothers Landscaping

Trees in landscape mulch in a Sioux Falls, SD backyard by Weller Brothers Landscaping

Small trees planted in a landscape bed near a fence in Sioux Falls, SD

3. Stronger and More Resilient Trees and Shrubs

A healthy plant is a strong plant. When plants can grow at their full potential, they become stronger and able to thrive in harsh conditions. In the Midwest, we experience extreme heat in the summer, frigid temperatures in the winter, and inconsistent rainfall in the spring. Due to varying weather conditions, your trees and shrubs will need fertilizer to become more resilient to these types of conditions.

4. Ability to Fight Off Pests and Diseases

You might not have guessed that trees and shrubs have so much in common with humans — they actually do! Consider a strong plant to be like a human with a strong immune system that can fight off sickness.

Fertilizing your plants will boost their immune system to help combat pests and diseases that can be harmful to their growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are common types of nutrients that are in fertilizer, and are essential to promote healthy plants.

Contact Us For Professional Shrub and Tree Fertilization

The certified tree care professionals at Weller Brothers are ready to work with you to establish a fertilizer program for your trees and shrubs in Sioux Falls, SD, and Rochester, MN.

Rochester Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls, SD, Tree Planting Ordinance with Dakota News Now

Luke Wixo, on Dakota News Now discussing the Sioux Falls, SD tree ordinance.

Luke Wixo Discusses Sioux Falls Tree Ordinance on Dakota News Now

Many Sioux Falls residents have questions and concerns about the city’s tree-planting ordinances.

Dakota News Now in Sioux Falls, SD, caught up with Weller Brothers Business Development Manager Luke Wixo to talk about why the city ordinances are in place and how they support tree health and diversity.

Sioux Falls

Planting a Tree? Consider the Size | Tree Talk With Sam

Planting a Tree? Consider the Size

Tree Talk with Sam

Weller Brothers’s “Tree Talk With Sam” series is produced in partnership with Sam Kezar, Board Certified Master Arborist with Aspen Arboriculture Solutions in Sioux Falls, SD.

Bigger is Not Always Better

We all want to have large, beautiful trees on our properties. To accomplish this, you should consider the size of your tree before planting to avoid transplant shock.

Sam is here to tell you how to select the right tree size so that it will thrive for years to come!

Contact Us for Sioux Falls Tree Removal or Health Care

Between our team of certified arborists at Weller Brothers and the expertise of our consultant Sam at Aspen Arboriculture Solutions, your trees are in good hands in Sioux Falls, SD!

Sioux Falls tree talk

North Central Sioux Falls to Trim Trees by June 17, 2024

Weller Brothers Tree Removal team cutting tree branches while in a bucket from boom truck.

North Central Sioux Falls to Trim Trees by June 17, 2024

Did you receive a letter saying that your branches are hanging over the sidewalk or street in Sioux Falls?

You’re not the only one!

Per its annual Project T.R.I.M. (Tree Raising Improvement Methods), the city of Sioux Falls has surveyed north central Sioux Falls for low-hanging branches. If you received a letter stating that a tree or shrub on your property is non-compliant with city ordinance, you have until June 17, 2024, to hire a licensed arborist to prune the branches.

Hiring a Sioux Falls Aborist Will Save You Money

You might think it’s easiest just to let city take care of it – per the letter – at a minimum of $150/hour.

In most cases, Weller Brothers arborists will be significantly cheaper than the city’s rate. Plus, we have an ISA-certified arborist on staff and follow all ANSI safety standards.

Contact us today here or call us at 1-605-351-4748 to schedule your Sioux Falls tree trimming.

Sioux Falls

Does Your Arborist Company Follow Industry Professional Standards?

When it comes to selecting an arborist in Sioux Falls, industry standards are important. Not all local tree removal companies follow professional industry standards and guidelines for safety, climbing, tree health, and more.

The Weller Brothers arborist team does.

If you were sick, you would seek the care of a medical professional who is well-educated to treat your illness to the highest standards. It should be the same when you are caring for your tree.

You should always opt for a tree care company that has accredited and experienced team members to serve your property. Weller Brothers’ tree care professionals are here to offer you their professional expertise to ensure that you are choosing a tree care company that follows ANSI Safety Standards and has an ISA-certified arborist on their team to oversee all work being done.

What are ANSI Safety Standards?

Just as in other industries, the tree care industry has ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards for all tree care operations, including safety. This standard was developed by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), and the ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO).

Weller Brothers tree care professional team is committed to providing the highest level of quality that adheres to the accepted industry standards.

Trees are unique all in their own way, which means that all practices cannot be applied to all trees. Tree care decisions must be made carefully with supporting input from a qualified ISA Certified Arborist.

Questions to ask an arborist company before hiring them:

Does your company follow ANSI standards?
- ANSI standards are scientific and industry standards for tree care; when these standards are followed this ensures that the crew has taken all necessary precautions for the job.
What are your credentials?
- Hiring a company with an ISA-Certified Arborist on staff, or a company that employs Certified Tree Care Safety Professionals (CTSP) ensures the integrity of the job being performed.
Do you have Qualified Line Clearance Arborists?
- If your trees are located in proximity to electrical conductors, they must be treated, pruned, or removed by Qualified Line Clearance arborists.
Will the crew be using hard hats and other personal protective equipment while on the job site?
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that personal protective equipment be used for any tree care operation. A reputable tree care service will require this.
Can you provide an up-to-date certificate of insurance?
- This is an important question to ask and verify to ensure that in the event of an accident, you will not be liable for damages, accidents, or any injuries.

It is important to protect yourself and your property by hiring a tree care professional for dangerous jobs. It is equally important to protect your investment in your trees by asking these five important questions.

Why Should an Arborist Company Employ an ISA-Certified Arborist?

As you consider safety standards and questions to ask before hiring an arborist company, why should you find a company with an ISA-Certified Arborist?

In order to obtain an ISA Certification, arborists must complete a defined curriculum, work experience, and exam. To remain certified through the ISA, an arborist must complete a required number of continuing education courses in the time of their three-year certification period or re-take the ISA certification exam.

This means that your ISA Certified Arborist will remain knowledgeable in the industry standards and be better prepared to take care of trees that are on your property.

Contact Us for Professional Tree Removal and Health Care

Weller Brothers tree removal and health team includes an ISA-certified arborist and arborist crews that follow all ANSI Z133 safety guidelines in Sioux Falls, SD, and surrounding communities.

Our experienced tree removal and health team will ensure that your trees and property are taken care of to the highest standards of arboriculture.

Contact us here to request tree removal and health care services.

Sioux Falls

All About Apple Scab | Tree Talk With Sam

All about apple scab

Tree Talk with Sam

Weller Brothers’s “Tree Talk With Sam” series is produced in partnership with Sam Kezar, Board Certified Master Arborist with Aspen Arboriculture Solutions in Sioux Falls, SD.

Does your Tree Have Apple Scab? Here's What You Should Know!

Diseases on trees are difficult to identify and determine if they are harmful to your tree. Apple scab specifically creates an eye-sore of your Midwest crabapple and fruit trees!

Sam is here to tell you how to identify apple scab and what you should do next to treat your tree.

Contact Us for Sioux Falls Tree Removal or Health Care

Between our team of certified arborists at Weller Brothers and the expertise of our consultant Sam at Aspen Arboriculture Solutions, your trees are in good hands in Sioux Falls, SD!

Sioux Falls tree talk

Where To Buy a Tree To Plant | Tree Talk With Sam

Where to buy a tree to plant

Tree Talk with Sam

Weller Brothers’s “Tree Talk With Sam” series is produced in partnership with Sam Kezar, Board Certified Master Arborist with Aspen Arboriculture Solutions in Sioux Falls, SD.

Want To Plant a Tree? Here's Where to Start.

We’re thrilled that you want to plant a tree. There are so many great reasons to do so!

These days, you can buy a tree at nearly any grocery or home store. But buying a tree from a nursery or garden center is best.

Why? Sam is here to tell you!

Contact Us for Sioux Falls Tree Removal or Health Care

Between our team of certified arborists at Weller Brothers and the expertise of our consultant Sam at Aspen Arboriculture Solutions, your trees are in good hands in Sioux Falls, SD!

Sioux Falls tree talk