What can you do to make sure your landscape looks its finest this spring? The secret is to care for your trees and plants during the dormant season. Besides the visual benefits, tending to your trees and landscape increase curb appeal economically—especially if you are looking to sell your house this year. An attractive outdoor yard will help your home stand out and may help your house sell faster. In fact, a manicured landscape can increase your home value by 28% and can cut your property’s time on the market by 15%. Boost your curb appeal by spring following these steps:

1.     Prune your trees

Pruning an unruly tree gives curb appeal an instant boost. An arborist, with just a few cuts, can give a tree a more graceful, balanced shape. If a tree is obscuring the view of your home, you may be able to open the sightline with careful pruning. Although it’s best to prune during dormancy, a professional can generally remove branches any time of the year. If you’re putting your home on the market, ask your tree-care company to assess your trees.

2.     Fertilize your trees

During the dormant winter, a tree’s roots are still absorbing nutrients. Therefore, as mentioned in a previous post, it’s always a good idea to fertilize your trees before the ground freezes so they will have enough sustenance to survive winter. That way, when springtime rolls around, trees will have the energy to grow and thrive.

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3.     Mulch, mulch, mulch

Adding mulch around each tree prior to the ground finishing is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps the roots stay warm and moist during the cold season. However, make sure to not over mulch because too much can actually harm plants by creating a layer that doesn't decompose and compact the soil effecting root growth. The goal is to keep the mulch layer less than three inches deep and to make sure the mulch doesn't touch the trunk of trees or shrubs.

4.     Plant a tree

Planting a tree is one of the most common ways to add curb appeal to your house. In return they improve air quality, cut energy bills with their shade, provide homes for wildlife, add beauty and deliver a substantial return on investment in exchange for relatively low-cost maintenance. Before you plant a tree, consider how big the tree will get and how it will affect your house. Be sure to consult an arborist to figure out the best tree to plant and the best location to do so.

Provide proper tree care and landscape maintenance this season and beyond to maintain and increase the value of your property and help its curb appeal. Contact one our team members today!