Winter is often a challenging season for trees. Most trees begin to show signs of stress in response to cooler temperatures and drying winds. Furthermore, cold weather hinders the development of new leaves and flowers.

Even though this is the case, winter is still an excellent time to take good care of your trees in preparation for spring blossoms and warmer weather. In addition, the cold air prevents the spread of certain fungal infections that might thrive in moist conditions during other seasons, allowing you to take proactive steps to preserve your investment this season.

Are you wondering how to keep a tree alive and healthy in winter? There are several things you can do. These things include:

Have your trees inspected

Winter is a challenging season for trees. The cold weather affects the trees’ immune systems, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Furthermore, trees must deal with snow, ice, and wind, all of which can damage their bark and branches.

As a result, it is extremely vital to have your trees assessed by a certified tree services professional before winter arrives. A good arborist will identify any potential issues with your trees and provide recommendations based on their condition.

Ideally, an arborist will inspect:

• The general health of the tree
• Any damage to the bark
• The presence of pests or diseases
• The structural integrity of the tree
• Potential threats offered by trees.

In addition, the arborist will provide recommendations on how to safeguard your trees from winter weather. If there are any problems, address them promptly so they do not worsen over time.

Mulch the trees

Mulching your trees before they freeze is one of the most effective ways to protect them from winter cold. Mulch keeps the soil around the tree warm, which prevents the roots from freezing.

Furthermore, it helps retain soil moisture, which is vital because trees require water during winter, even when it is cold outside. Mulch is available at hardware stores and garden centers. Go for organic mulch, such as wood chips, bark, or compost, over inorganic mulches like gravel or stones.

You should spread a thick layer of mulch (at least three inches wide) over the entire root zone. As the mulch settles, you can apply more of it to ensure that no roots remain exposed. This ensures that your spring garden is weed-free and healthy.

Be cautious with salt and de-icer

Salt or de-icer is commonly used on sidewalks and steps during snowy weather. While they help melt ice, salt and de-icer can be hazardous to trees and plants, so avoid using them wherever possible.

Salt causes soil compaction, inhibits root growth, and makes it harder for tree roots to absorb water from the soil, leading to dryness. Salt is also harmful to plants. This is especially true for evergreens and other fragile conifers, which have needle foliage and thin bark.

Salt burns the needles on these trees, causing leaves to wilt and turn brown. Over time, it causes crown decline, weakening, dead branches at the top of your tree, and increased susceptibility to insect and disease damage. This isn’t good when you are looking to keep your trees healthy, is it?

De-icer can potentially injure plants, trees, and bushes. The most common deicing ingredient most people use is sodium chloride (NaCl), also known as table salt. Sodium chloride, along with other chemicals including calcium chloride (CaCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl), and potassium chloride (KCl), might harm your plants.

De-icer causes leaves to turn yellow and brown, and die; it dries up twigs and branches, making them more likely to break in the wind; in extreme circumstances, it can harm plants and trees.

To keep your trees healthy, avoid using salt and de-icer. Instead, go for grit, sand, or kitty litter. These compounds improve traction on sidewalks and driveways while causing less environmental damage.

Watch out for heavy snow.

Heavy snow can harm trees, especially if it is wet and laden with ice. The easiest way to protect your trees from heavy snowfall is to use a snow fence or a burlap bag.

A snow fence is a structure made of wood or metal, covered with mesh fabric. You place it in front of a tree to deflect snowfall and prevent branches from accumulating.

You can also use burlap sacks to protect trees from heavy snowfall. The bags are packed with hay, straw, or leaves to reduce the impact of the snow and ice.

If you’re using a burlap sack, make sure to put it over the tree while there’s still snow on the ground. You can also try securing or tying down loose branches that are likely to break under heavy loads.

Protect the vulnerable trees.

It is critical to safeguard your trees and plants from winter storms, especially after the leaves have fallen. This is because deciduous (leaf-dropping) trees lose their protective leaf canopy, which blocks exposure to snowfall during the winter months.

Leaves also act as a blanket for perennial plants, so when they’re gone, the earth freezes and thaws throughout winter.

Ornamental trees with thin bark, as well as young or recently planted trees, are vulnerable to sunscald and frostbite. To avoid this, cover the tree’s trunk with white reflective tape or paint throughout the winter.

Sunscald occurs when a tree is exposed to direct sunshine on a chilly day, causing its bark to crack and die.

Before a storm hits, put plastic or burlap fabric over the trees to protect them from damage. You can also use evergreen branches to create windbreaks around tree trunks and plant roots.

Parting shot

These are just a few of the things you can do to keep your trees looking great and healthy in winter. Hopefully, this knowledge will help you keep your trees looking their best.

If you are having trouble maintaining your trees, hire an experienced arborist services Kensington who will hold your hand and guide you on your journey.