Healthy landscapes aren’t lucky — they’re cared for at the right time.
Are Your Trees Lucky?
Every year around this time, we hear homeowners say, “We’re lucky our trees look so good after the winter we’ve had.”
Truthfully? Luck has very little to do with it.
Healthy trees don’t just happen. They’re the result of careful timing, attention, and a little know-how. A little pruning before storms, multi-vitamin treatments for trees, and checking for early signs of stress can make all the difference.
Think of it like this: a well-fed and well-pruned crepe myrtle or ornamental tree isn’t lucky—it’s prepared. And prepared trees tend to bloom more, resist pests better, and look amazing all season long.
This March, let’s focus on giving your trees their very own “good luck” — the kind that actually works.
4 Signs Your Landscape Might Need a Little Luck
Want to know if your trees and shrubs could use some TLC before the busy spring season? Check yourself against these “unlucky” signs:
- Winter leftovers: Dead or broken twigs still hanging from branches.
- Pruning procrastination: Crepe myrtles or ornamentals that haven’t been pruned in years.
- Shrub mysteries: Shrubs growing outward while the inside stays thin or bare.
- Late bloomers: Trees that leafed late last year or seem slow to wake up.
None of these mean disaster is around the corner, but spotting them now is your chance to reset the odds. A little action this spring keeps your trees healthy, blooming, and resilient.
Why Spring Bio-Stims Are Basically a Lucky Charm
Spring is a big deal for trees. New leaves, root growth, early pest activity, and unpredictable weather all put stress on your ornamentals and crepe myrtles.
Spring bio-stimulants (or “multi-vitamins” for trees) give your trees the boost they need to handle it all. Think of them as a morning coffee, vitamin, and energy drink rolled into one for your plants:
- Strengthens roots and helps them grow faster.
- Supports flowers and leaf production for ornamentals like crepe myrtles.
- Helps trees handle stress from storms, temperature swings, and pests.
Applied at the right time, bio-stims give your landscape the edge to grow back better.
Box Tree Moth Alert: Boxwoods Beware
Recent reports confirmed that Box Tree Moth has now been detected in Maryland, with the first finding in Washington County during the summer of 2025. This is important for homeowners because boxwoods are one of the most common shrubs in landscapes across our region, and this pest can cause damage quickly if left unchecked.
Early spring is the best time to spot issues before populations grow. Routine pruning, spring clean-up, and regular inspections can help catch problems early and prevent the pest from spreading through nearby landscapes.
What to Look For
- Leaves that appear chewed from the inside, leaving thin outer edges
- Fine webbing or small silk shelters within the shrub
- Small green caterpillars tucked inside foliage
- Sudden browning patches on otherwise healthy boxwoods
