It is never too soon to prepare the trees on your property for the rigors of winter. Though trees do their own transition as leaves change color and fall amidst cooler conditions, it is crucial to their survival that you lend a helping hand. Winters in St. Louis can be dreary and daunting, so these tips will help your trees withstand the ice, snow, and more that accompany the coldest season.
Watering
Summer isn’t the only time of year where droughts are commonplace. Despite the snow and ice that falls, winters at times can be dry, and trees can’t rely on rain or snow and ice melting to be refreshed. Water your trees with consistency throughout autumn before the ground freezes.
Plant cells that absorb a lot of water will be more resistant against damage caused by cold conditions, with water acting as an insulator. Well-watered soil also prevents root damage as winter weather approaches.
Pruning
Before you prune your trees, make sure to clean up your surroundings by removing any wayward seedlings branches. If you have dead branches or trees on your property, yet they are too large to remove, professionals like Jackson Tree Service can do the job for you.
Once you’ve cleaned up, you can prune your healthy trees by removing any dead, dying, or out of place branches. This process boosts a tree’s strength, helps it to withstand extreme winter conditions better, and protects your property. Heavy snow or ice fall will cause dying branches to fall if you haven’t pruned them in advance, which will leave your yard in a mess or even lead to property damage.
Wrap Your Trees
Not only are you wrapping gifts during this time, but you’re also going to need to wrap your yard’s trees. Leaves are protective layers for trees, and once they die, this is a sound alternative to help them fight off winter sunscald. Sunscald is a common injury that trees suffer as a result of fluctuating winter temperatures. Once temperatures rise, cells within the trunk are activated. As the temperature drops down, active cells and tissues are killed, possibly scarring the trunk and damaging bark.
Wrap the tree trunk and lower branches with any commercial tree wraps or a light-colored fabric during the fall. If you have a new tree, wrap it for two years until it develops a thick enough bark to protect itself.
Mulching
Adding mulch around your trees allow them to retain moisture and regulate temperatures as winter becomes dry and frigid. Leave as many inches as possible between the mulch and your tree’s trunk, however, so that fungus doesn’t grow on the trunk and wreck it.
Fertilizing
With your trees set to lose out on vital nutrients due to the decreasing temperatures, treating your soil with fertilizer in autumn is a wise decision. Applying fertilizer protects your trees against disease, decay, and insects seeking a quick and easy meal.
If you’re not sure where to start concerning your winter preparations, Jackson Tree Service will provide all your tree protection needs ahead of the colder months. Contact us today!