The foliage that comes with autumn is breathtaking. Vibrant colors make the season a favorite among many of us. But after such colorful beauty drops from the branches, we are often left for several consecutive months of winter’s dreary, colorless and frigid effects.
Such effects are a just cause for the planting of conifers among your landscaping trees. When the beautiful autumnal display has come to an end and the leaves have made their way to the ground below, the branches will remain bare until spring rolls around. On the other hand, conifers continue to produce leaves throughout the year, even during the frequently frigid winter months. There are several advantages to this.
First, the leaves conifers continue to produce provide an element of color to a vastly colorless winter world. Some conifers also produce cones or colorful berries. The presence of such textures and vibrancy is often a welcome sight for listless eyes.
Because conifers produce such items as cones, needles and berries, it is quite common to catch glimpses of wildlife, such as birds and deer. Wildlife are often found in close proximity to coniferous trees. Not only does planting conifers produce color by way of its blooms, but it also facilitates color through the wildlife that seek out its blooms. The beauty of a brightly-colored cardinal on a snow-covered branch easily parallels the magnificence of autumn’s bold, rich colors.
Since conifers continue to produce throughout the year, they are largely responsible for supporting wildlife during the frequent scarcity of winter. Berries, nuts, cones and even needles are essential to wildlife. Not only do conifers produce sources of food for wildlife, but they also support them by producing shelter. Leaves or needles provide a degree of protection from winter’s chill. Birds take refuge among the needles still affixed to a pine’s branches, while those needles that have been shed make great bedding, and provide warmth and protection, for wildlife such as deer. And it goes without saying that, as wildlife are enjoying the sustenance conifers provide during winter, we enjoy such things as bird watching and tracking deer.
If you notice any branches on your landscaping conifers which appear to be unable to support wildlife, or may even appear to put wildlife into danger, contact an Austin tree trimming specialist immediately for assistance in appropriately pruning the branches.
And just as conifers provide a means of protection for wildlife, they also provide a level of protection for us, too. This is because, planted in groups or within close proximity of one another, they serve as a windbreak. By blocking winds, not only is winter’s cold lessened, but heating bills may be reduced, too.
If you have questions, concerns or other ideas relative to planting and making conifers a part of your landscape, an Austin tree care professional can certainly speak to the advantages of conifers, particularly during the winter months.
About the Author: Andrew Johnson is the owner of Central Texas Tree Care, a leading provider of Austin tree service in Central Texas. Certified ISA Austin arborist services including: tree trimming, tree removal, tree care and oak wilt treatment. For more information on Austin tree service, please visit https://centraltexastr.wpengine.com.
