A tree care plan for your Memphis property

Start with an arborist visit, get a written plan, then keep up with seasonal visits. Our yearly tree care plans are built around your trees, your property and what actually needs attention.

Updated November 2, 2026

Ask about my tree care plan

One property. A plan that changes with it.

  1. An arborist visit. We assess tree condition, the root area and site conditions. Tell us about symptoms, recent construction, watering and anything already applied.
  2. A written plan. We set out the priorities, recommended work, timing and what to monitor. Where a diagnosis needs a soil test or other investigation, we explain that before recommending treatment.
  3. Seasonal visits. We return at the agreed times, check how the trees respond and update the plan. The visit schedule and work are specific to the property, not an automatic package of products.

What your plan can include

  • Soil tests, soil-test-led fertilizing and practical mulch and watering guidance.
  • Injections and treatments, including oak wilt and emerald ash borer care, when the tree and diagnosis make them appropriate.
  • Root work, including assessment of the root flare and compacted soil.
  • Cabling and bracing assessment, plus pruning cycles suited to the tree and site.

These services are available in Memphis. Not every tree needs every service, and not every declining tree can be saved. Your arborist confirms the diagnosis, suitability and timing on site; some concerns need additional diagnostic work.

Tennessee Forestry treats oak wilt as an emerging threat, not a disease established across the state. Its early symptoms can resemble drought. A browning oak in Memphis is not automatically an oak-wilt case; the arborist may recommend diagnostic work before treatment.

Memphis seasonal tree care calendar

A planning guide, not a fixed treatment schedule. Species, weather, soil conditions and the arborist’s findings determine what happens and when. Report a new concern when you notice it rather than waiting for the next season.

Winter: December to February

Review the trees with your arborist and plan necessary oak pruning before the spring risk window. Tennessee Forestry advises avoiding oak pruning from March through July. Record changes in branches, roots and nearby construction.

Spring: March to May

Compare new leaves with last year’s photos and check drainage after rain. Review soil results before adding fertilizer. Check mulch depth and keep it away from the trunk; more mulch is not always better. Let the arborist set any pest or disease treatment timing.

Summer: June to August

Watch soil moisture and changes in the canopy during heat and dry spells. Water to the needs of the tree and soil rather than a fixed automatic schedule. Avoid routine pruning during severe drought. Sudden wilting needs assessment, not an assumed diagnosis.

Autumn: September to November

Review what changed over the growing season and agree next year’s priorities. Discuss any necessary soil amendments using the test results; fertilizer is not a cure for drainage or watering problems. Plan winter work and check the existing mulch before adding more.

What to bring to the first visit

Note when symptoms started, any recent digging or paving, and your current watering routine. Share safe ground-level photos of the whole tree and affected leaves. Do not climb or cut a branch to collect a sample yourself.

If a tree or hanging branch could strike people or property, keep clear and use our storm-help guidance. Stay away from downed lines and anything touching them; call the utility for electrical hazards and 911 for injuries.

Care guidance and sources

These sources support general care guidance, not a diagnosis or a promise of recovery for your tree.

Tree symptoms in Memphis

Start with what you can see, then let an arborist assess the cause.