Lawn care takes a back seat when the winter weather blows in for the season. People leave their rakes and lawnmowers in the garage while trading for the shovels and snowblowers. However, proper winter tree care is important.
Don’t forget about your trees when the grass stops growing. Your trees will struggle to survive cold temperatures if left on their own. The struggle becomes even more critical for young trees.
Follow the precautions below to protect your tree during the winter, increase their chances of withstanding freezing temperatures, and set them up for long-term success.
Insulate With Mulch
About 3 inches of mulch helps to insulate your tree from the elements when soil temperatures drop. Even this thin layer will help protect the roots when the ground freezes. Spread the mulch underneath the branches in an even layer. Avoid collecting a pile of mulch around the trunk.
Wrap Your Tree Trunks in Protection
Hungry critters and small rodents love to gnaw on tree bark when food becomes scarce in the winter. Stop them from feasting by wrapping trunks with plastic tree guards. Chickenwire helps stop animal chewing as well. Newly-planted trees and woody plants are especially susceptible. (The older the tree, the less protection you will need to add.)
Create Snow Shelters for Young Trees
Build make-shift wooden shelters around small trees to defend against heavy snowfall. For mature trees, lightly knock snow off branches with a broom. If you see ice forming on the thin branches of a young tree, it might help to tie them to thicker branches for some additional winter protection.
Avoid Salt Damage
Ice is one of the worst hazards of winter. No one wants to slip whether they are on their feet or in a car. But the salt that individuals and counties use to pour on sidewalks and streets can be harmful to grass, trees, and shrubs. Once this salt gets into a tree, the damage creeps in and can deteriorate the whole tree. Avoid salt infusion problems and keep trees healthy by using de-icing, calcium chloride-based salts.