Spring
Check for winter storm damage. Keep an eye out for dead trees that could cause property damage or personal injury, and make sure your roads are in good shape. Don’t be too tidy, though! Some fallen trees and standing dead trees are great for both wildlife and your forest ecosystem.
Be on the lookout for invasive species! Now’s the time to remove them before they flower and spread.
Clear away flammable materials from the home. Remove needles and leaves from your rooftops, and trim any tree branches that overhang or touch your house at least 10 feet back. Better to do it in the rain than the dry heat of summer.
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Summer
Be prepared for a wildfire. While prevention is your best strategy, it’s important to have an emergency response plan for your family. Visit readyforwildfire.org for ideas on creating your plan.
Use heavy equipment while it’s dry. Now is the time for commercial thinning, road and trail building, and other activities that require heavy equipment. Get it done before the muddy season starts back up! However, watch for any bans on using heavy machinery during periods of hot, windy weather.
Check for signs of disease, drought, and pest damage. Look for thinning crowns, top die-back, and discolored or fallen needles or leaves. If plants have animal damage, protect your seedlings with tubing or caging.
Fall
Save the date for your conservation district’s plant sale. Adding new native trees and shrubs can improve forest health by increasing plant diversity and preventing invasive species from taking over your woods. Conservation districts are an excellent resource for inexpensive plants that are adapted to our local climate and soil conditions.
Prepare for planting season. If you’re planting in the next few months, consider performing a mechanical brush removal or applying herbicide on invasive species.
Thin young trees for better forest health. Fall is a great time for pre-commercial thinning operations. Use the downed trees to create habitat piles, which make excellent “critter condos.”
Winter
Get outside and explore. Reflect on the changes in your woods over the last year, and update your to-do list and forest management plan.
Plant trees using best practices. It’s not as simple as “dig a hole!” Make sure that the planting hole is as deep as the roots and at least twice as wide. Protect new tree seedlings from deer and elk.
Use this time for learning. Catch up on the latest forestry news and research, and attend the annual WSU
