Fall Tree Care Checklist for Virginia Beach, VA Homeowners

Why Fall Is the Most Important Tree Care Season

September through November is the single most productive window for tree care in Virginia Beach. Hurricane season winds down, trees enter dormancy, and weather conditions allow for maximum work efficiency. Here's your complete fall checklist.

October: Post-Hurricane Season Inspection

• →Walk your property and inspect every significant tree from multiple angles
• →Look for new cracks, splits, or leaning that storms may have created
• →Check for bark damage or wounds from storm debris
• →Identify any 'widow maker' hanging branches high in the canopy
• →Note any trees that seem to have shifted or show fresh root exposure

November: Pruning Window Opens

• →Begin structural pruning of dormant deciduous trees
• →Remove all deadwood identified during October inspection
• →Crown raise trees over driveways and walkways
• →Prune fruit trees (dogwoods, ornamental cherries, pears) now for spring bloom
• →Submit winter pruning schedule to your arborist

December: Planting and Soil Care

• →Plant new trees — fall is ideal for establishment before summer heat
• →Apply 3–4 inch layer of mulch around tree root zones (keep clear of trunk)
• →Aerate compacted soil around trees that had heavy foot traffic all summer
• →Apply slow-release fertilizer to struggling trees as directed by arborist
• →Wrap young or newly planted trees with protective wrap if hard freeze expected

Year-Round: What Not to Do

• →Never pile mulch against the trunk ('volcano mulching') — causes rot
• →Never use string trimmers near tree bark — causes 'girdling' wounds
• →Never apply fertilizer in late summer or fall — promotes frost-susceptible growth
• →Never allow vines to climb tree trunks — eventually kills them

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