03 Dec Everything You Need to Know About Winter Tree Care
Winter Tree Care: Tips to Know
Winter can be particularly harsh on trees, especially young or newly planted trees that lack the natural defenses of thick bark or a deep root system. Without the right care, trees can suffer damage that might not be apparent until the spring, affecting their growth, health, and longevity. Here’s how you can protect your trees during the cold months to ensure they thrive when the weather warms up.
Need immediate help or guidance for winter tree care? Contact the experts at Gabe’s Tree Service today!
1. Mulching: Insulate and Retain Moisture
Not only does mulch look nice in your garden, it also helps to insulate and retain moisture for your trees!
In fact, a thin, 2-inch layer of mulch is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your tree’s roots from the cold. Mulch acts as an insulator, regulating soil temperature and retaining moisture. It also helps slow down water evaporation, which is important in winter’s dry conditions.
Apply mulch in late fall or early winter, after the ground has frozen, to prevent mice or other rodents from making a home in it. Spread the mulch around the tree’s base, keeping it away from direct contact with the trunk to avoid rot and pests.
Questions about how to apply mulch to your tree(s)? Contact the experts at Gabe’s Tree Service!
2. Winter Drought: Keep Your Tree Hydrated
Many people don’t realize that winter is considered a time of drought for trees. When the ground freezes, any available moisture becomes inaccessible to the roots. To combat this, ensure your tree is thoroughly watered throughout the fall until the ground begins to freeze.
Deep watering allows the roots to absorb enough moisture to sustain the tree through the dry winter months. Avoid watering after the ground has frozen, as this can lead to waterlogged soil and damage to the roots.
3. Wrapping: Shield Your Tree Trunk
Young and thin-barked trees are especially vulnerable to “sunscald,” which occurs when the sun warms the tree’s bark during the day, and the cold air freezes it at night, causing cracks. Protect your trees by wrapping the trunks in crepe paper tree wrap in late fall.
This inexpensive and widely available material acts as a barrier, reducing temperature fluctuations. Be sure to remove the wrap in the spring to prevent moisture buildup and allow the tree to breathe.
4. Guard Against Rodents and Wildlife
During winter, hungry rodents like rabbits and voles can chew on the bark of young trees, exposing the inner wood and leaving them vulnerable to disease. Installing plastic tree guards around the base of your trees can prevent this damage.
For extra protection, consider using wire mesh or hardware cloth. Deer can also pose a threat by rubbing their antlers against young saplings, causing damage. Protect your trees with cages or tree shelters to keep deer at bay.
5. Salt Safety: Avoid Salt Damage
Another important consideration for winter tree care is to prevent salt damage to your trees. Salt used to melt ice on driveways and sidewalks can pose a serious threat to your trees. Salt can interfere with a tree’s ability to absorb water, oxygen, and nutrients, leading to poor growth or even death.
When de-icing, opt for safer alternatives like potassium chloride, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride. These options are less harmful to plants and still effective for melting ice.
6. Snow and Ice: Manage Snow Accumulation Following a Winter Storm
Snow and ice are pretty common in Wisconsin. As such, another key component of effective winter tree care is to manage snow and ice accumulation following inclement weather.
Heavy, wet snow can accumulate on branches, weighing them down and causing them to break. To prevent damage, gently brush off snow from branches with an upward motion.
Avoid attempting to break off ice, as this can cause further damage to the branches. If ice removal is necessary, use warm water to melt the ice gradually, minimizing the risk of breakage.
7. Pruning: Winter is the Perfect Time
Contrary to popular belief, winter is an ideal time to prune trees. With the leaves gone, arborists have a clear view of the tree’s structure, making it easier to identify dead or diseased wood and crossing or rubbing branches. Pruning in winter also minimizes stress on the tree, allowing it to focus on robust new growth in the spring.
Winter pruning helps reduce the risk of disease transmission, as most pathogens and insects are inactive during colder months. There are two main types of pruning: crown reduction and structural pruning.
- Crown Reduction involves removing specific branches to reduce the weight and length of the tree’s canopy, decreasing the likelihood of limb failure.
- Structural Pruning focuses on removing rubbing, diseased, or crossing limbs to promote a healthier tree structure, preventing small issues from becoming large problems in the future.
8. Avoid the Spring Rush – Contact a Local Tree Company!
Many homeowners mistakenly believe tree work can’t be done in winter, resulting in a surge of requests in the warmer months. This misconception can lead to longer wait times. Scheduling tree care in winter allows you to beat the rush and get your trees trimmed, pruned, or removed at the optimal time. More here in our article on why tree trimming is important. and the difference between trimming and pruning.
Our tree maintenance and tree removal experts serve Appleton, Oshkosh, Waupaca, and Steven’s Point. Call us today to schedule your winter tree care services and ensure your trees are well-protected and ready to flourish come spring!
By taking these proactive steps, you can safeguard your trees from the challenges of winter, ensuring they remain healthy and strong year-round.
