Winter Tree Care Tips
While we are cuddled up in warm blankets near the fireplace with some hot cocoa in the winter, our trees don’t have that opportunity. Trees can brave the harsh conditions of winter without much fuss but knowing how to care for them will help preserve their health. Here are some winter tree care tips to help protect your trees through the winter.
Roots
Until the ground freezes, you should be watering tree soil. This gives roots the time and resources to stock up on water to survive through the winter. It is uncommon to have to water trees through the winter, but some circumstances call for water all winter. If you’re in an area that gets snowfall throughout the winter, just water before the ground freezes and your tress should be good. However, in more mild climates where snow is uncommon and the temperature doesn’t get below freezing, you may find the need to continue watering your trees once or twice a month.
When roots get too cold, they get damaged. Root damage leads to further damage to your trees, so it is in their best interest to prevent damage from the cold from the beginning. If you live in an area that gets snow, the snow will provide enough insulation to help prevent roots from becoming damaged. If not, put some mulch down on tree beds to prevent root damage.
Sodium based road salts dry out roots and damage them. Get some calcium-chloride based salts instead. It produces the same effect as sodium-based salts, but without the damage to roots, soil, and other plants.
Tree Trunks
When the weather is warm during the day and turns freezing at night, tree trunks can get what is called sunscald. This happens when the layers of tissue under the bark heat up then freeze too quickly in the late afternoon or evening. To prevent this, wrap tree trunks with a plastic tree guard.
Deer smooth their antlers on tree trunks in the winter, leaving large patches of the tree stripped of bark and wood. To prevent your trees from being damaged by deer, you can simply place a tree guard around them or some other sort of barrier.
Branches and Foliage
Give your trees a fresh start in spring by pruning dead and damaged branches. This prevents weak branches from becoming further damaged during the harsh elements of winter.
Snow buildup on tree branches can cause them to weaken and eventually break. When you see a blanket of snow on your trees, take a broom and dust the snow off of the branches. Do not shake them as this can cause them to break.
During periods of wet, freezing temperatures, trees can become coated in ice. The ice is often thick and difficult to remove. Leave the ice on the trees until it melts off. Once it melts, you can call in an arborist if you suspect any damage to your trees.
To prevent winter burn, make use of mulch, watering, and burlap wraps for your evergreens.
Water your trees until the ground freezes unless you live in a warmer climate. Then you still may need to water them once or twice a month. Avoid sodium-based road salts and insulate tree beds with mulch. Don’t let snow accumulate on branches as this can cause them to break. These winter tree care tips will help ensure the protection of your trees through the winter.
Do you need help with your trees? Call the tree care experts in Plainfield – Integrity Outdoor Solutions!