September has arrived – and as the summer season draws to a close, now is an important time to help your trees prepare for the coming stresses of cold winter weather. Although it is frequently assumed that trees shut down as they approach the cooler months of the year, in most cases the opposite is true. Many trees significantly increase root growth at the end of summer and then during the late fall and winter remain active below ground – albeit at a slower pace - absorbing water and nutrients.
Healthy soil makes this late season work possible; and late season Soil Health Care can help ensure that trees have a healthy soil environment - with adequate nutrients, moisture, oxygen, and biological activity - to support active root growth that trees need to endure harsh winter conditions. This article further explains why end of season Soil Health Care is essential for trees to maintain their resilience in the winter months and support their renewed growth when spring returns.
Winter Weather Can Stress Trees Above and Below Ground
Winter can be hard on trees, especially when freezing temperatures, drying winds, heavy snow and ice, and fluctuating soil conditions place stress on both branches and roots. While above-ground damage is often easier to see, below-ground stress can be just as important because roots depend on healthy soil to keep functioning through the colder months.
Trees Need Soil Conditions that Promote Fine Root Growth
Throughout the year - including the winter months - trees depend on fine feeder roots to absorb the water and nutrients they need to maintain essential metabolic functions. This specialized root growth becomes especially important in late summer and early fall, when trees begin storing the carbohydrates and nutrient reserves that help them withstand winter stress and support new growth the following spring. 1
A tree’s fine roots are delicate and grow best in soil that gives them room to expand and provides steady access to moisture and oxygen. Dry and compacted soil can damage or kill these critical root networks, limiting the tree’s ability to take up the vital resources they need during the winter months. 2
Fine feeder roots also work closely with beneficial fungi and other soil organisms, which help make nutrients more available. When the surrounding soil supports healthy biological activity, fine roots can function more efficiently as temperatures begin to drop. 3
Late Summer Is a Key Time for Fine Root Growth
Trees typically experience two major periods of root growth each year. 4The first begins in early spring, often before or during bud swell, when stored energy from the previous season fuels the rapid production of fine feeder roots. These absorbing roots form an extended network that helps the tree take up the water and nutrients needed for new leaves, flowers, and shoots.
The second active period occurs in late summer, when many trees produce a final flush of top growth while also expanding their underground root systems. This late-season root activity helps trees absorb additional nutrients, build reserves, and prepare for winter stress – and at the same time also support stronger growth the following spring.
In Winter Roots Stay Active Beneath Dormant Trees
Despite the potential stresses, even during the dead of winter, when the visible above-ground parts of a tree are dormant, its root system can remain active below ground. During the cold season, roots may continue to grow slowly when soil conditions are favorable, allowing the tree to absorb moisture, take up available nutrients, and maintain essential biological functions. 5
This hidden activity is another reason that late-season soil care matters. By improving the soil environment before the onset of cold weather, trees have a better chance of sustaining root function through the harsh conditions of winter - and entering spring with stronger reserves.
Late Season Soil Health Care Helps Trees Build Winter Resilience – and Bridges the Gap for Spring Growth
Improving the soil environment before winter helps trees maintain active roots, absorb available water and nutrients, and tolerate seasonal stress. Healthy soil keeps trees healthy - and resilient - through the winter months, providing the structure, moisture balance, oxygen flow, and biological activity roots need to keep functioning as temperatures fall.
Just as importantly, this late-season support helps bridge the gap between winter survival and spring renewal. When roots can continue working below ground and trees enter spring with stronger stored reserves, they are better prepared to push new leaves, flowers, and shoots as warm temperatures return.
Fertilizers Alone Are Not the Best Solution for Fall and Winter Tree Care
Fall fertilizers are often recommended for late season tree care, but on their own they are not always the best solution for preparing trees for winter. Monster Tree Service’s Soil Health Care program takes a better comprehensive approach to fall and winter soil health - by addressing multiple soil factors that trees require to sustain themselves.
Using holistic, nature-based products, our Soil Health Care program focuses on improving the soil conditions that support tree health, including:
- Nutrient availability: Healthy soil helps make essential nutrients accessible, so trees can expand root systems and store reserves before dormancy.
- Soil structure: Well-structured soil improves drainage, aeration, and root development, creating a healthier environment for long-term resilience.
- Moisture balance: Soil that holds and moves water effectively helps roots continue absorbing resources during late-season growth and through the winter.
- Biological activity: Beneficial soil organisms support nutrient cycling and help fine roots function more efficiently.
Prepare Your Trees for Winter from the Ground Up with Soil Health Care from Monster Tree Service
Now is the time to help your trees prepare for winter with Monster Tree Service’s late season Soil Health Care. Our holistic approach naturally provides the soil support trees need below ground, helping them withstand cold, harsh winter conditions – while building a stronger foundation for healthy spring growth next year.