Caring for Your Trees in the Wintertime
Trees may seem to be sturdy living things that require little care, but the harsh temperatures of winter, including the consequences of being constantly exposed to snow and wind, can make them vulnerable to problems. Their apparent state of hibernation does not mean that they are completely immune from winter stress.
Read on for some suggestions from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) on how to properly care for your trees when the cold weather blows into town:
-Droughts in winter can be as detrimental to the health of trees as can be the droughts that occur during the hot months of the year. If the temperature is mild enough, give the youngest trees on your property an occasional watering. It is okay to water when the trees and soil are cool but not when they are frozen.
-Composted organic mulch should be placed under your trees in the autumn or at the start of the winter in order to prevent water from escaping and also to lessen the chance of extreme temperatures in the soil. Apply a thin layer of mulch that can afford the tree roots an extra layer of protection.
-Do everything possible to prevent the occurrence of injuries to trees, such as the splitting or breaking of branches or branches being chewed and broken off by animals. Young trees, in particular, need to be protected. Wrap the base of baby trees in a metal hardware cloth or a hard plastic guard. Another option for preventing damage to trees related to temperature is wrapping trees with either plastic cloth or burlap. Make sure that you take off the guards and wraps when the spring starts in order to allow a tree to begin the growing process.
-Pruning your trees in the wintertime is an excellent idea. Pruning a tree in the wintertime can help lessen the stress on it. Take time to learn the proper manner for pruning a tree. If you prune a tree in the wrong way or at the wrong time, you can cause damage to the tree. Be aware that trees are dormant in the wintertime, but the cold season affords the opportunity to carefully inspect the structure of the tree, despite the fact that the tree is devoid of leaves.
For those unfamiliar with the ISA, it is a not-for-profit organization that supports tree care research and aims to educate the public about trees.
