Trees do so much for you. They beautify your landscape, provide cozy shade, oxygenate the air, and boost home value.
No wonder taking care of them is so important! Trees seem to stand so tall and strong on their own. They are the giants of your landscape. They almost seem invincible.
But just like a new puppy, young or newly planted trees need some special care and attention, too, so they can grow healthy roots and a solid structure.
This is especially true in winter. The coldest season can be tough on all of us, trees included. Harsh conditions like cold winds, bright sun, bitter ice, heavy snow, and frost can pack a punch.
Protecting trees from cold weather starts by following these 4 care tips, so you can extend their lives and maximize the many benefits they bring to your home.
Why do the colder months impact winter tree care so much?
Extreme winter conditions, such as ice storms and winds whipping through at sub-zero temperatures, can weigh branches down, risking breakage.
Snow cover can actually insulate trees from the wind and sub-zero temperatures, so a lack of snow makes them more vulnerable.
Repeated freezing and thawing of soil can also cause soil to expand and contract, causing root damage.
Think sun can’t hurt trees in the winter? Think again. On a cold winter day, the sun can heat up a young tree’s bark, stimulating activity. Then when a cloud comes in and blocks the sun, bark temperature drops rapidly, killing that active tissue.
And all these conditions add to plant dryness. On top of that, dry conditions going into winter can make tree tissue more susceptible to cold damage, especially on evergreens.
Mother Nature certainly doesn’t hold anything back during this season. For adequate winter tree protection, follow these 4 important tips.
Young and newly planted trees of all kinds need winter tree protection -- fruit trees included.
Unprotected fruit trees are particularly vulnerable to frost damage, which can take a big toll on your tree’s long-term health. While some fruit trees tolerate cold weather better than others, all could use some fruit tree winter protection.
You may be cold in winter whether it’s 45 or 30 degrees Fahrenheit. But for your fruit trees, there’s quite a difference in how they react to various temperature ranges.
Temperatures ranging between 32 and 45 degrees produce hormones that suppress fruit budding. This allows warmer temperatures to tell the tree when it’s time to bud. Temperatures below 32 degrees signal a frost, and tells you it’s a great time to cover your trees.