Winter is as harsh for trees as it is for humans. With the cold temperatures, reduced sunlight, and increased wind, keeping your trees healthy during this time of year can be hard. To ensure that your trees stay in top condition, there are a few simple things you can do to care for them in the winter season, and here are twenty of them.
- Wrap Your Trees with Burlap: Wrapping your trees in burlap helps protect them from harsh winds that can damage their branches or bark. You should wrap any newly planted trees before the first frost of the season and regularly check throughout the winter months to make sure they are securely wrapped.
- Mulch Around Trees: Adding an extra layer of mulch around your tree’s roots will help insulate them against the cold. This also helps keep moisture in the ground, so your tree will stay hydrated throughout winter.
- Water Trees Regularly: Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean that trees don’t need to be watered! In fact, they can become dehydrated more quickly during the winter months, so make sure to check them regularly and provide water when needed.
- Prune Dead Branches: Pruning away any dead or diseased branches can help ensure that your tree stays healthy during the colder months by preventing further damage from spreading throughout the tree.
- Fertilize Your Trees in Fall: Adding fertilizer to your trees in the fall gives them a boost of energy heading into winter, which makes them more resistant to temperature swings, pest invasions, and other issues that can occur during the cold season.
- Protect Trunks from Rodents: Rodents love to chew on tree bark in winter, so make sure to protect your trees’ trunks with a wire mesh or some other barrier that will prevent them from snacking on your trees.
- Inspect for Damage: Take time throughout the winter months to look for any signs of damage around your trees. This could include frost cracks, insect infestations, or broken branches due to wind or snow buildup. Taking care of these problems early on can help ensure that your tree remains healthy going into springtime.
- Keep Your Tree Watered at Night: During the winter months, temperatures can drop below freezing and cause your tree to go into shock. To prevent this from happening, try to water your trees before nightfall so that their roots will stay warm and hydrated throughout the evening.
- Insulate Trees Before Snowfall: Try to insulate your trees before a snowstorm. This helps protect them against extreme temperatures and prevent heavy snow from accumulating on branches or cracking bark with its weight.
- Avoid Winter Pruning: While pruning is an important part of caring for trees year-round, it’s best avoided during the winter when they are dormant and at greater risk of infection due to open wounds.
- Don’t Plant New Trees in Winter: You should avoid planting new trees during the winter months, as they will need more time to develop a healthy root system before the cold sets in. If you must plant a tree at this time of year, ensure to protect it from frost and cold temperatures.
- Protect Young Trees from Cold Winds: Young trees can be especially vulnerable to cold winds in winter, so wrap them with burlap or even put stakes around them for additional protection.
- Avoid De-icing Products Near Your Trees: When de-icing sidewalks and driveways near your trees, try not to use harsh chemicals that can damage their bark or roots if they come into contact with them. Salt-based products are particularly damaging, so opt for sand or gravel instead whenever possible.
- Keep an Eye Out for Damage from Snow Plows: If you have snow plows that come through your area, keep an eye out for any damage they may cause to your trees by pushing large amounts of snow onto their branches or trunks.
- Protect Trees from Lawn Equipment: Mowers and other lawn equipment can be tough on trees during the winter months, so take extra care when using these machines near your trees and make sure to avoid hitting or running over their roots in the process.
- Don’t Shake Snow off Branches: While it’s tempting to shake off heavy snow from tree branches, it’s best to avoid this as it can cause the branches to break or even damage the tree itself. Instead, use a broom or rake to remove any excess snow from your trees gently.
- Don’t Let Snow Pile Up Around Trees: If you’re expecting a large amount of snowfall in your area, try not to let large amounts accumulate around the base of your trees. This can cause excessive moisture near their roots, possibly leading to rot.
- Avoid Compacting Snow with Heavy Equipment: It’s also important not to use heavy equipment such as tractors or ATVs on top of piles of snow around your trees, as this can compact the snow and damage their roots.
- Use Mulch to Insulate: If you’re planning on mulching your trees in the winter months, make sure to use straw or bark chips rather than soil-based mulches. This will provide an extra layer of insulation while allowing the tree to breathe.
- Install Tree Shelters: Installing tree shelters around younger trees can help protect them from cold temperatures and wind exposure during wintertime. These shelters also act as a deterrent for rabbits and other animals that may snack on young tree branches.
These are just a few things you need to do to care for your trees in winter, so they stay healthy going into springtime. Taking time throughout the year to properly care for your trees will be worth it in the long run, as they can provide beauty and shade for years to come. So don’t forget these important winter tips!
