Winters here in East Tennessee are usually unpredictable. Will we get snow or ice, or will it just be bitterly cold and windy? Whatever old man winter has in store for us, one thing is for certain –cold! Professional arborists in the Tri-Cities at Promier Tree have some tips for you to help you protect your trees from winter frost.
First, let’s take a look at how winter can really take atoll on your trees unless you protect them:
- Cold spells damage the plant’s tissue that hasn’t had a chance to harden off for the cooler temperatures. This is especially true for younger trees and shrubs.
- The drier air and winter sun can actually cause conifer needles and broad leaf evergreen foliage to “burn” since these trees continue giving off water vapor or transpire during the winter.
- As the soil becomes hard from the freezing temperatures, plants aren’t able to absorb water as well.
- Midwinter thaws trick plants into breaking dormancy too early, which means it could harm any new growth.
- Winter sun is bright, and it causes the tree’s bark to heat up, which can freeze and crack as the temperatures quickly plummet after the sun goes down.
- Vermin such as deer, rabbits, and mice tend to snack on tree bark when their primary source of food becomes scarce.
Now, here is how to protect your trees and shrubs from these risks
Healthy and established trees and shrubs are likely to get through winter just fine. If you have any that have struggled during the growing season or are still quite young, they may be more vulnerable.
To protect those plants, follow this guide:
- Avoid pruning after midsummer, since pruning stimulates new growth and delays dormancy.
- Fertilize up until about six weeks before fall’s first frost, which helps the plants harden off before winter hits.
- Continue watering your plants during the fall season up until the first freeze.
- Consider mulching a 3″ to 4″ layer of mulch around tender, young trees, and shrubs to help insulate them throughout winter.
- Wrap the trunk of those trees with a protective wire to keep mice and other pests away.
- Shrub wraps are available to protect conifers and broad leaf evergreens during windy winters. Also, burlap works just fine as well.
- If snow or ice accumulates on the trees and shrubs, avoid removing it unless branches are bending. In which case, gently remove the snow.
As always, any dead or damaged branches should be professionally removed before winter. This recommendation applies to new and older, established trees to prevent further damage to the trees, or posing as a safety concern for you, your family, and your home.
Tree Pruning in Kingsport
If you would like to learn more about our tree trimming or pruning services, please contact our tree care experts at Promier Tree by calling (423) 765-2626 to schedule an appointment with one of our arborists. We provide full-service tree care by our experienced and certified arborists who can safely care for your trees without causing damage.
Promier Tree is here to serve residential and business customers in the areas of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport in Tennessee.