Winter is as difficult for trees as for humans. Most of us find shelter against cold indoors, but trees can’t. Some trees even die in winter because of a lack of proper nutrition, sunlight, and care.
To keep your trees healthy and alive during winter, you need to give them special care. Here we offer seven pro tips to help you nurture and maintain your trees during the cold season.
Prune
Remove any dead or dying branches to help your tree save essential nutrients and stay healthy. Winter pruning also promotes growth and keeps your property safe as dead branches fall when snow weighs them down.
Wrap
Leaves not just make food for trees; they also act as a barrier against cold and wind. But during winter, this protective layer peels away. Therefore, you need to wrap your trees with a protective coating to shield the barks against sunscald and other damage. You can use a plastic tree guard or wrap to cover the trunk. The best way to do it is to wrap your tree trunk from top to bottom, so moisture doesn't accumulate in the layering folds.
Water
A lot of regions suffer draughts in winter too. Hence, you need to water your trees regularly in winter as long as the soil isn't entirely frozen.
Add mulch
Mulch is a mixture of dead leaves, barks, and compost that provides insulation and nutrients to the roots. It also helps retain moisture during the dry winter season. However, ensure that you leave about 6-inch space between the tree and mulch to prevent fungal growth.
Fertilize
With the change in seasons, soil loses its nutrients, and it takes time to replenish them naturally. So you need to help your trees by feeding them fertilizers. You can use a slow-release fertilizer to ensure that your trees get essential nutrients throughout the winter.
Plant new trees
Those new to tree care believe winter is not suitable to plant new trees, but it is the perfect season as roots get the right temperature to grow during late fall and become stronger. Winter is especially ideal for planting balled and burlapped trees.
Avoid harmful ice melts
Even after taking all the above precautions, your trees can still die if you use the wrong ice melt. Choose something that is pet and plant-friendly. Avoid rock salt at all costs as it prevents the roots from absorbing water from the soil and kills the tree. Opt for ice melts rich in calcium, potassium, or magnesium chloride. Urea is also a good option as it acts as a fertilizer for plants.
About Seacoast Tree Care
We have a qualified team of certified arborists who can help keep your trees healthy in all seasons. We offer a full range of tree care and removal services in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. We are experts in tree pruning, cabling, fertilizing, preservation, and root collar excavation. You can call us at 603-431-0101 or 978-225-6644 or drop an email at info@seacoasttreecare.com to know more. You can also fill up our contact form, and we will get back to you.
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