How to Prepare Your Trees for Harsh Winter Weather
How to Prepare Your Trees for Harsh Winter Weather Are your trees ready to face the full force of winter’s wrath? Most people get their homes, cars, and clothes set for the cold but forget about the trees in their yard. That can be a big mistake as trees are the most vulnerable. It is not good for trees to be exposed to harsh winter temperatures, icy breezes and snow storms. As this leads to breakage of branches, causes roots to push up and get exposed, or it can even kill young or weak trees. However, the good news is that you can take simple steps now to protect them before things get worse. This guide shares simple tree maintenance tips based on arborist recommendations to help your trees handle winter. 1. Start with a Tree Health Assessment Critically assess your trees before winter hits. Check for pest infections, rotting, or signs of decay. Look at the roots too for structural weakness. If the tree leans or feels unstable, it might be weak inside. To better protect your trees, you need to know what their current condition is aka how healthy they are. Look for: Dead or broken branches Cracks in the bark Discolored or fungal-infected leaves and trunks Hollowed trunks or root flare issues Leaning or unstable trees If you see any of these warning signs, get advice on tree maintenance tips. Small problems grow fast in bad weather. Fixing them early can save your tree—and your yard. Before winter hits, do a full fall leaf cleanup. 2. Prune Weak and Overextended Branches Pruning trees might not sound exciting. But it is one of the most important steps you can do before winter hits. Heavy snow can snap weak branches. Dead limbs break first. That can mean roof damage, yard mess, or injury. To save yourself from this damage, go for strategic spring tree pruning. When pruning: start by cutting off anything dead, sick. Then thin out the thick branches. Let the tree breathe a little. Trim it enough to give it a proper shape. If the tree is tall or near power lines, call professionals. Tree trimming services have the right tools plus know how to stay safe up there. Well-pruned trees hold up better in storms. Mulch the Root Zone Generously Just as we dress up in winter, consider mulch to be a warm blanket for your tree’s roots. It keeps them from getting cold. Young or shallow roots hate winter weather. An organic 2-3 inch layer of mulch prevents the ground from freezing too quickly or drying out. It also retains moisture. That is, you won’t need to water as frequently. How to use: Use organic mulch such as wood shavings, bark, or compost. Put it out in a large circle, 3 to 5 feet from the trunk is sufficient. Don’t let it reach the trunk. Keep about 2 to 3 inches of distance. That prevents rot and keeps insects away. Add more if you feel the mulch has thinned out. Refreshing it once or twice per season is normal. 4. Water Deeply Before the Ground Freezes Due to the misconception of nature taking over during fall, many people stop watering their trees. Water is essential for trees like evergreens and newly planted, fresh trees. Unless the ground hasn’t frozen, do not stop watering your plants. Dry roots are the leading cause of winter injuries and dehydration among trees. Use a slow trickle method or a soaker hose to deeply hydrate the soil. Focus on: Watering during dry spells Ensuring soil is moist (not soggy) to a depth of 12 inches Watering in the early afternoon so the water doesn’t freeze overnight Well-hydrated trees are more capable of resisting cold weather stress and frost injury. 5. Wrap Young and Thin-Barked Trees In winter, there are two conditions that might damage your trees: sunscald and frost cracks. These happen when the tree bark after being frozen, thaws a bit and then is frozen again. This occurs when the sun sometimes comes out in winter. The partial thawing and rapid freezing destroys the tree. Young maples, lindens, and fruit trees are often affected. To protect them: Wrap the trunk with tree wrap, burlap, or corrugated tree guards Start at the base and overlap upward Remove wrap in early spring to avoid pests and rot 6. Stake Newly Planted or Top-Heavy Trees Trees need to be acclimatized. So, when you plant a new one, give it time. Its roots need to grow into the soil. As the tree is still young and fresh, it can easily tip over in strong winds. This is called windthrow. It is common, especially in the first year of planting. Heavy winds can damage new trees as their roots are still shallow. Use soft straps so the bark does not get hurt Do not tie it too tight Only keep the stakes in for one or two seasons Let the tree move a little—it helps the roots grow strong 7. Protect Trees from Animals and Rodents For survival, some animals like rabbits, deer, and voles chew on bark and twigs on trees. They do this when finding food is difficult. Fruit trees and young trees are more susceptible. This chewing can seriously injure the tree. When the bark is chewed around the entire tree, the tree roots are unable to move water and nutrients. It can slowly die by springtime. To guard your trees: Cover the bottom with hardware cloth or wire mesh Use strong smells or animal repellents to deter them Include trunk wraps as an added protection Mow mulch and grass short to eliminate hiding places Following these steps as per arborist recommendations, protects the bark and keeps your trees healthy during winter. 8. Apply Anti-Desiccant to Evergreens Evergreens retain their leaves year-round, but in doing so, lose water during the winter months through their needles. This can cause the tree’s branches to turn brown or even kill the tree. People
