When thinking about plant care, it’s easy to imagine attentive gardeners laboring over fragile plants. However, it’s important to remember that trees, despite their strength and reputation for longevity, also have vulnerabilities.
Limbwalkers Tree & Crane Service offers this handy guide on how to protect trees when the weather drops. We provide experienced tree services in Newton, NC, helping keep your trees healthy year-round.
Keep Trees Hydrated
Protecting trees from damage involves making sure they are properly watered. Throughout the fall, water your trees regularly. Doing so can help them build up enough moisture to endure the coming winter.
Mulch is another great solution for tree weather protection. Surrounding the base of the tree with woodchips helps keep the tree insulated and provides nutrients.
Surprisingly, it is also helpful to water during a freeze. We are always told to keep our taps running so water doesn’t freeze in the pipes. In the same way, watering the ground around a tree can help keep the area from freezing, allowing thirsty roots to stay hydrated.
Wrap Your Tree Trunks
Tree freeze protection can also involve wraps. Burlap is a strong material that is good for insulating trunks against dangers like “sun scald,” which occurs when direct sunlight reflects off the snow and causes a trunk to split vertically.
These barriers also help shield trees from the elements, adding a layer of warmth against extreme cold and temperature changes.
Prune Before the Winter
Pruning does more than keep a tree looking tidy. It also helps with tree damage prevention during the winter.
Dead or dying branches could break off during a freeze, causing damage to people, pets, and homes. They could also land in the street, creating hazards or blockages for drivers.
However, be careful with your preparatory pruning. If you cut branches back too much, you could weaken them. A compromised tree is more susceptible to freezing and other harsh weather conditions.
A professional arborist can evaluate your tree and help you decide how much to prune, keeping your tree strong and safe during the winter.
The Dangers of Frozen Trees
Trees, while strong, are susceptible to changes. When ice coats a tree, it adds more weight. This extra bulk, combined with potential bitterness from the cold, could cause a tree to snap and fall.
Proper maintenance before, during, and after winter is crucial for tree safety. With just a little bit of planning, you can keep your trees standing proud and tall.
Getting Help From a Professional
Tree care in harsh weather can seem like a daunting task. Thankfully, there are professionals who can help.An arborist knows how to protect trees from all weather conditions. Limbwalkers Tree & Crane Service is a team of tree-care pros who understand tree safety. Let us handle everything from saving a dying tree to removing one that has become hazardous. We can offer you guidance on tree safety, too, so call us at (828) 413-7227 right away
