Seasonal Tree Care
Different seasons bring different needs. Find season-specific advice on spring pruning, summer care, fall preparation, and winter protection so your trees stay healthy throughout the year.
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Jim Ostvig | August 14, 2026 | Updated: August 27, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care, Tree Care Tips
Best Time to Prune Trees in Minnesota (And When to Avoid)
Discover the best seasons for tree pruning in Minnesota. Learn why winter is best for most trees, plus species-specific exceptions and disease risks to avoid.
Jim Ostvig | September 27, 2025 | Updated: September 23, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care, Tree Care Tips
Deicing Salts and Trees
As Minnesota winter sets in, tons of chloride salts are spread on sidewalks and streets to keep people safe. But these salts can cause serious harm to trees and shrubs—burning evergreen foliage, damaging roots, and even raising soil pH to toxic levels. Barriers, careful snow piling, and spring soil flushing can help reduce salt damage. Our arborists at Ostvig Tree Care have decades of experience protecting trees from winter salt injury and using organic solutions to restore soil health.
Jim Ostvig | January 5, 2025 | Updated: August 27, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care
Winter Tree Care Essentials: Preparing Your Trees for a Healthy Spring
As the colder months set in, trees may seem to take a backseat in our gardening priorities. However, winter is the ideal time to give your trees the care they need to thrive in spring. Here’s everything you need to know about ensuring your trees stay healthy and strong through the season.
Jim Ostvig | December 27, 2024 | Updated: September 23, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care
How Trees Survive The Winter: Nature’s Survival Mechanisms
When temperatures plummet and snow blankets the earth, trees embark on a remarkable journey of survival. Here’s how they endure the harshest months of the year.
Jim Ostvig | June 18, 2023 | Updated: September 23, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care
About Summer Leaf Drop
?? Heads up, tree lovers! During July and August, Crabapples, ornamental pears, and ash trees may experience leaf loss due to infections caused by apple scab, apple rust, pear scab, and anthracnose. These fungal diseases target young leaves in early spring, and unfortunately, there are no effective treatments to stop the leaf loss at this stage of the season. Stay informed and learn more about summer leaf drop here: https://ostvigtree.wpenginepowered.com/about-summer-leaf-drop/ ? #TreeCare #SummerLeafDrop #FungalDiseases
Jim Ostvig | March 30, 2019 | Updated: September 23, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care, Tree Pests and Diseases
Common Spring Leaf Diseases
Not sure whether or not a tree on your property has a leaf disease? Ostvig Tree Care can diagnose and treat diseases, so contact us today.
Jim Ostvig | December 25, 2018 | Updated: September 23, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care, Tree Safety
How to Prevent Trees From Ice Damage
As we get closer to January, we will more often be putting our hands at ten and two, hoping that we don’t hit a patch of black ice. That ice we’re watching out for is the same culprit doing damage to our trees each year.
Jim Ostvig | December 13, 2018 | Updated: September 23, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care, Tree Care Tips
Buying and Caring For Christmas Trees
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about your tree (if you haven’t already). Decorating Christmas trees has been a tradition since 1510, but with roughly 350 million trees growing on 15,000 U.S. tree farms, getting a refresher course on how to care for and buy trees couldn’t hurt. Review these points before and after buying your tree so you can focus on enjoying it with your loved ones.
Jim Ostvig | February 17, 2018 | Updated: September 23, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care
Four Seasons: Tree Services Requirements
What are the best ways to care for trees during winter, summer, spring or fall?
Jim Ostvig | August 16, 2017 | Updated: August 27, 2026 | Seasonal Tree Care
Fall Tree Care
Our trees need care to prepare for colder months. “While your trees seem to be in a state of hibernation in the winter, exposure to the tough conditions can cause them major stress,” says Jim Skiera, Executive Director of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). “Minimize stress by helping your trees through the cold months, a…