A tree care plan for your St. Louis 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 St. Louis. 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.

Oak wilt is widespread across Missouri, so pruning timing matters. For an ash tree, review condition and treatment suitability before deciding to retain it. Our treat-or-remove guide explains the questions to raise; a webpage cannot decide whether an individual tree is a treatment candidate.

St. Louis 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 branch structure and plan necessary oak pruning. MU Extension recommends winter work to avoid the mid-March through mid-July oak-wilt risk period. Discuss any support-system inspection and next year’s pruning priorities.

Spring: March to May

Watch leaf development and drainage rather than watering by the calendar alone. Missouri’s wet spring conditions and clay soils can leave roots short of oxygen. Review ash-tree condition and let the arborist set any treatment schedule; do not start routine oak pruning in the high-risk period.

Summer: June to August

Check the soil during hot, dry weather and tailor watering to the tree, soil and recent rainfall. Newly planted and established trees have different watering needs. Avoid routine pruning during severe drought and report sudden canopy changes.

Autumn: September to November

Compare canopy health with spring photos and update the written plan. Review soil results and any justified feeding for the appropriate conditions; many landscape trees need little or no supplemental fertilizer. Arrange necessary dormant-season pruning rather than an automatic annual cut.

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 St. Louis

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