Waking up deciduous trees from spring growth

As spring arrives, learn how to awaken deciduous trees from their winter dormancy, bursting to life with fresh buds, new leaves, and renewed energy.

A dormant plant is one where its metabolism slows down or can stop completely, this is usually brought on with harsh winter conditions, e.g. conifers. A deciduous plant is one that loses its leaves, sometimes their green leaves turn to a different colour before falling off and is one sign of a dormant plant. Liquidambars display yellow and red autumnal leaves before their leaves drop for winter dormancy. Deciduous plants come back to life as the weather changes and becomes warmer. During the spring when they are coming out of dormancy, it is important to encourage their reawakening, hence new growth. Sunlight, appropriate watering, nutrients and general maintenance are key to a successful transition.

Sunlight is important as it warms the soil signalling the growth period. If the plant is in a shaded position, the ground will not warm up as quickly as one in the full sun, hence they are later to wake up. If a plant is in the ground, prune the surrounding plants to encourage growth of your feature plant. For pot plants, move the pot into the sunniest or warmest position.

A fine line is drawn when it comes to watering, too much before it has come out of dormancy will cause root rot and too little, it will stress and lay dormant till more optimum conditions prevail. If the plants are in pots make sure that if saucers are used they are empty and not making the potting mix boggy. They will still need watering at least once a week. For those in the ground, consider a weekly soaking of water, but in both cases use your finger or hydrometer to check how moist the soil truly is.

With the weather warming it is time to start your spring fertiliser regime. If in doubt they are awakening, try using a nutrient boost seaweed tonic, with a fish fertiliser such as Seamax Organic Fertiliser added to water applied every two weeks. You can keep this up all the way through spring and summer but once they are out of dormancy use a slow release granular fertiliser for slow nutrient release. 

General maintenance will involve pruning out any dead or damaged limbs and shaping the plants for the coming season. Check the mulch is fresh as well as not being too thick or thin and that a gap is left for 3cm around the trunks, so they don’t get fungal infections from being constantly moist.

By spring, you should have planted and established your deciduous plants. These activities are generally done during winter or before spring. In winter traditionally the dormant plants are not fertilised, and watering is cut way back, your region and soil type will dictate this.

For the plants to come out of dormancy healthy, do not try to wake them early when there is still harsh weather or winds.  Dormant plants are like a sleeping toddler best to let them wake when they are ready. Having a plan for when they wake makes life easier.