How to prepare your tree fern for summer

Tree ferns instantly bring a tropical, jungle-like atmosphere to your garden. However, after a cold winter, they often need a bit of help to get back into full growth. With the right care in spring and early summer, you can help your tree fern become strong, green, and full of new growth again.

In this blog, you’ll learn step by step how to prepare your tree fern for summer, which mistakes to avoid, and how to ensure it performs at its best throughout the entire growing season.

When should you start preparing your tree fern for summer?

Timing is crucial. In the Netherlands, you can usually start spring care from April to early May, once the risk of heavy night frost has passed.

Tree ferns such as Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea cooperi are sensitive to cold, especially in the growing point (the “crown” of the plant).

Important:

• It’s better to start a little too late than too early

• Always check the weather forecast

• Only remove winter protection when conditions are consistently mild

Removing winter protection: do it gradually

Many tree ferns have spent the winter protected with materials such as fleece, straw, or jute wrapped around the trunk and crown. This protection is essential to prevent frost damage.

However: never remove it all at once.

Here’s the right approach:

• Start ventilating on warm days

• Remove the outer layers of protection first

• Keep the crown covered during cold nights

• Only remove everything once the weather is stable

The crown is the most vulnerable part of the tree fern. Damage here often means the plant will need a long time to recover.

Check whether your tree fern has survived the winter well

After winter, it’s a good idea to carefully inspect how your tree fern is doing.

Pay attention to:

• Are the fronds completely brown?

• Is the trunk still firm and solid?

• Does the crown still look green or moist?

Brown fronds do not always mean the plant is dead. Tree ferns can often recover from the crown if it is still healthy.

If in doubt: give the plant time. Tree ferns are slow, but very resilient.

Removing old fronds to encourage new growth

In spring, you can remove old or damaged fronds. This helps the plant direct its energy toward fresh new growth.

How to do it:

• Only cut away fully brown or dead fronds

• Leave partially green fronds in place (they are still providing energy)

• Use a sharp, clean pair of pruning shears

This not only makes your tree fern look tidier, but also helps it enter the growing season stronger.

Watering: the most important summer tip

Tree ferns love moisture. As temperatures rise, their water requirements increase significantly.

Especially species such as Dicksonia antarctica need a consistently moist environment.

Key rules:

• Keep the trunk slightly moist at all times

• Water small amounts more often rather than one large soak

• Check more frequently during hot or windy weather

• Prevent the root ball from drying out completely

A dry tree fern recovers slowly, so consistency is more important than quantity.

Summer placement: light but no harsh sun

In summer, the sun can be surprisingly strong. Tree ferns are naturally adapted to filtered light in their native habitat.

Ideal placement:

• Partial shade to light shade

• Morning sun is fine, but avoid strong afternoon sun

• Sheltered from strong winds

Too much direct sunlight can lead to:

• brown fronds

• drying out of the trunk

• stunted growth

Feeding for a strong growth boost

In spring and summer, you can give your tree fern some extra nutrients to encourage new frond growth.

Tips:

• Use organic plant feed or a special fern fertiliser

• Start in April/May

• Repeat every 4–6 weeks during the growing season

• Avoid overfeeding (tree ferns are sensitive)

A healthy tree fern will produce fresh new fronds in summer that are often larger and fuller than in the previous season.

Common mistakes in spring and summer

Many problems with tree ferns don’t actually occur in winter, but during the transition into the growing season.

Avoid these mistakes:

• Removing winter protection too early

• Exposing the plant to full sun too quickly

• Letting the root ball dry out during warm periods

• Ignoring the effects of wind

• Pruning too aggressively

The combination of sun and drought is especially harmful to new growth.

Conclusion

Preparing your tree fern for summer is mainly about timing, patience, and consistency. Not too early, not too dry, and not too much direct sunlight.

Species such as Dicksonia antarctica and Cyathea cooperi can thrive for many years in Dutch gardens, as long as they are properly restarted each spring.

With the right care, your tree fern will become a true summer showpiece with a tropical look — exactly what completes a jungle-style garden.