The cold air and shorter days can only mean one thing: winter is approaching. If you’re like other homeowners, you’ve spent the spring and summer tending to your trees. But now it’s time to shift gears and get your trees ready for the colder months ahead.

The last thing you want is for your favorite trees to be harmed or killed over the winter. But do not worry. With some forethought, you can have your trees looking their best and survive throughout the winter months. Some of the things you can do, as given by tree services, include:

Water your surfaces thoroughly

Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, providing an additional layer of protection against freezing. Before winter arrives, water deeply and slowly to allow moisture to permeate the entire root zone. This is especially critical during the dry fall months, when normal rainfall may be insufficient.

The idea is to give your trees a final boost before the ground freezes, ensuring that they have enough water to weather the winter drought. Just make sure to stop watering once the soil has frozen, since more water will not be absorbed and may produce ice buildup around the roots.

Protect the trees from wildlife damage.

When food is short, deer, rabbits, and rodents may consume fragile bark and twigs. This can girdle a tree, preventing nutrient flow and possibly killing it. To avoid this, use tree guards.

Tree guards are simple structures that wrap around the tree’s base, protecting it from nibbling wildlife and sudden temperature changes.

Having a tree guard installed will encourage the creatures to go elsewhere.

Second, tree guards can form a microclimate that provides warmth and stability to your tree’s roots and trunk.

Winter deer deterrent treatments can keep wildlife at a safe distance without killing them, especially in bigger landscapes or areas with high deer activity. You can extend physical barriers above the average snow line and inspect them on a regular basis for gaps or damage.

Prune the trees at the right time.

Pruning at the wrong time might result in fragile, frost-sensitive new growth. However, some tree species benefit from or require winter trimming to avoid the spread of specific diseases. In other cases, it is better to postpone pruning until early spring, when the risk of excessive cold has passed.

To avoid pruning at the wrong time and ruining your trees, visit an ISA Certified Arborist, and they will advise on the optimal pruning schedule for your tree based on its species, age, and local climate.

This type of professional supervision is part of complete winter tree care, which ensures that trees remain healthy and structurally strong during the coldest months.

Apply mulch around the base of the tree.

Mulch works as a natural blanket, protecting roots and controlling soil temperature. In late fall, put a 2-4 inch layer of mulch in a broad circle around the tree’s base. Keep it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot and deter rodent nests.

Wood chips, shredded bark, and decomposed leaves all perform nicely. Mulching is one of the simplest and most successful ways to protect trees in winter, and it’s an important element of how to defend tiny trees in winter without putting undue strain on the trunk or roots.

Protect the trunk from damage.

Temperature changes in winter can induce sunscald and frost cracks on juvenile bark, particularly on the trunk’s south and southwest sides. Wrapping the trunk with burlap, paper tree wrap, or specifically designed plastic shields can help to mitigate these threats.

Species, region, and age all influence whether trunk wrapping is advantageous. Wrapping works effectively for some trees, particularly fruit trees, but it is not always necessary.

To ensure that you are doing the right thing, work with a certified arborist who will help you assess whether your tree is a good candidate for a wrap and recommend the best materials. You should remove wrapping in the spring to prevent girdling and allow the trunk to breathe.

Make use of anti-desiccants

Anti-desiccant works as a protective layer on evergreen leaves or needles, reducing water loss during high-stress conditions such as cold, dry weather.

When the ground freezes, the tree is unable to restore the moisture lost through its leaves, resulting in severe damage or death.

An anti-desiccant will help keep moisture in the leaves or needles for up to four months in the winter. You can buy the anti-desiccant at your local hardware or garden store, or have experienced experts apply it for you.

Fertilize the trees in the fall.

Fertilizing a tree in the fall is a vital step in keeping it healthy and vigorous. Giving it the nutrition it requires will help it withstand the rigors of winter and promote vigorous growth in the spring. There are a few things to consider while fertilizing a tree in the fall.

Make sure that you use a fertilizer made exclusively for trees. This type of fertilizer has more nutrients than conventional garden fertilizer, which is beneficial for trees growing in less-than-ideal settings.

Apply the fertilizer to the soil surrounding the tree rather than straight to the leaves or branches. This will help keep the leaves from burning.

You should water the tree thoroughly after applying fertilizer to help it absorb the nutrients.

Protect the trees from heavy snow and ice.

Wet snow and ice can weigh down branches, causing breakage, particularly in young or recently transplanted trees. Brushing snow off with a broom might be helpful, but shaking or pushing branches downward can damage the tree and put you in danger of injury.

In areas prone to severe snowfall, use structural supports like tree cabling and bracing to lessen the danger of limb failure. Understanding how to protect trees from heavy snowfall might make the difference between a minor winter setback and extensive structural damage.

Remember to avoid using salt-based deicers near young trees since runoff can harm the roots and soil structure. If de-icing is necessary, arborist services MD recommend that you use plant-friendly alternatives.