While your trees may seem hardy enough to withstand the colder months, a little extra preparation can protect them from the harsh winter weather. Winter can be especially tough on trees, with challenges like freezing temperatures, dry winds, and heavy snowfall. Giving your trees some attention now will help ensure they stay healthy and thrive when spring arrives. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to prepare your trees for winter.
While basic winter preparations can be done yourself, getting advice from a certified arborist is always beneficial, especially for large or valuable trees. An arborist can assess your trees’ health, recommend necessary treatments, and provide specialized care that might be difficult to do on your own.
Check for Structural Weaknesses
Prepare your trees for winter with a DIY inspection. Winter storms, ice, and heavy snow can put added stress on tree branches, especially if they are weak or structurally unsound. Inspect your trees for structural issues, such as crossing branches, split limbs, or cracks, and reinforce weak limbs with cabling or other supports.
Tip: If you notice large limbs that seem weak or unstable, it’s best to call a professional arborist to handle any necessary reinforcement. Attempting this yourself could be dangerous without proper training and equipment.
Inspect Damaged Tree Bark
Any existing damage to a tree’s bark can make it more vulnerable to disease and insect infestation during winter. If you notice damaged bark or signs of disease, take steps to address it before winter fully sets in. Light damage can often be managed by smoothing the edges with a sharp, clean knife, which allows the tree to heal more effectively.
Tip: For severe damage or disease, consult a certified arborist like Abbott Tree Care Professionals. We can assess the extent of the damage and offer professional advice on how to protect the tree best.
Water Thoroughly Before the Ground Freezes
Although trees go dormant in the winter, they still need moisture to survive. A thorough watering before the ground freezes will help your trees retain water through winter. Be sure to water deeply, as this encourages roots to grow deeper and helps protect them from frost damage.
Tip: For established trees, aim to water the entire root zone. For newly planted trees, water around the base. Remember to water in the late fall before the first hard freeze, but avoid watering if the soil is frozen.
Add a Layer of Mulch
Mulch acts as an insulating layer, helping to regulate the soil temperature and retain moisture around your tree’s roots. A two to four-inch layer of mulch around the base of your trees can protect roots from extreme cold, reduce the risk of frost damage, and help prevent soil from freezing and thawing, which can harm roots. Mulching also minimizes water evaporation, so your tree can maintain more moisture throughout the winter.
Tip: To prevent rot and pest issues, keep the mulch a few inches away from the tree trunk. Spread it out in a donut shape around the tree, covering the root zone, but don’t pile it against the trunk.
Prune Dead or Damaged Branches
Late fall is ideal for pruning dead, damaged, or diseased branches. This helps improve the tree’s shape and reduces the risk of branches breaking under the weight of ice and snow. It also helps minimize the stress on the tree. However, avoid heavy pruning right before winter, as it can stimulate new growth that may not survive the cold.
Tip: Scheduling an annual tree check-up with an arborist will ensure that any issues are addressed before winter and that your trees are well-prepared for seasonal changes.
Wrap Young Trees
Young trees, especially those with thin bark, are more susceptible to a type of damage called “sunscald,” which happens when warm daytime temperatures cause the bark to expand, only for it to shrink back quickly once temperatures drop at night. This rapid expansion and contraction can cause the bark to crack. To prevent this, wrap the trunks of young or vulnerable trees with tree wrap or a breathable burlap material.
Tip: Start wrapping from the base of the trunk and work your way up to the lowest branches. Remove the wrap in early spring to avoid moisture buildup and potential fungal issues.
During Winter: Avoid Salting Near Trees
Salt used to melt ice on driveways, sidewalks, and roads can seep into the soil around your trees, harming the roots and overall health of the tree. If you must use salt in areas near trees, try to keep it as far away from the roots as possible, or consider using alternative de-icing agents, like sand, gravel, or calcium magnesium acetate, which are less harmful to plants.
Winterizing your trees doesn’t have to be complicated, but it can make a huge difference in their health and resilience. With the proper preparation, you can protect your trees from winter stress and help ensure they come back strong in the spring.
Winter care isn’t just about getting through the season—it’s about investing in the long-term health of your landscape. These simple steps will help you prepare your trees for winter. If you’re unsure about any of these steps or have large trees that need winter preparation, we recommend contacting a certified arborist for peace of mind. With the right care, your trees will be ready to handle whatever winter brings.
