Protecting your Trees this Winter

Many folks tend not to think too much about trees on their property, especially during the winter. Out of sight, out of mind, until disaster strikes by a fallen limb or damaged tree! Your Kingsport tree care specialists have provided you some tips on how to protect your trees this winter. Follow these tips each year to enjoy your trees for years to come. And, if you find yourself in need of tree care by professionals, we are always happy to help!

Mulch

Late fall or early winter is the perfect time to add a thin layer of organic mulch underneath your tree’s drip line. Add no more than 2 inches of mulch and be sure not to pile the mulch directly against the tree trunk. The purpose of the mulch is to protect the roots by insulating the soil. Another tip is to wait until after the ground freezes before adding any mulch, which helps prevent mice from setting up camp for the winter in your fresh mulch.

Water

If you plant any new trees during the late summer or early fall, be sure to keep them well watered up until the ground begins to freeze. Some tips before the freezing temps settle in are to remove irrigation bags away from the tree trunks. Also, if at any time during the winter there is a warm snap and the soil thaws, water your young trees. This is a likely scenario for us in East Tennessee, as we experience a change in temperatures quite often.

Spray

Sun and wind during the winter can cause dry conditions for evergreens and certain other types of trees. It is ideal to cover their leaves with a waxy coating by using an anti-desiccant to prevent moisture loss.

Wrap

Most of us are familiar with the up and down temps of East Tennessee, sunny days that thaw the ground and cold night air to refreeze everything. When this occurs, it causes the cells of the tree’s bark to rupture and can result in cracks in the tree trunk. This process is referred to sunscald, which is most prone to occur on trees planted on the west and south side of buildings or structures. You can protect your trees and their trunks by covering them in crepe paper tree wrap. To wrap your tree, begin wrapping at the bottom overlapping each layer by one-third. End the wrapping just above the lowest hanging branches. You can remove the wrapping once spring arrives. Another option is to paint the tree trunks with a white plastic rabbit guard.

Protect

Protecting your trees against rabbits and voles can be a challenge. These pesky animals, although cute, love to gnaw at the bark of young trees, which can cause damage to the tree by exposing the inner layer of wood. To block these rodents, wrap the bottom of the tree in plastic tree guards, starting at the base and working your way upward. Again, you can remove this wrapping in the spring. Another option to try is to cage the trunks using chicken wire, which can also prevent deer from rubbing against the trunks and damaging them with their antlers. As the tree matures, those smaller rodents should not be a threat anymore.

Melt

If you use any rock salt to melt ice, keep it away from your trees as the sodium chloride can interfere with the tree’s ability to absorb water, oxygen, and necessary nutrients. Instead, choose an ice-melting product that contains calcium, magnesium chloride or potassium.

Clear away Snow

If we do see any snow this year in East Tennessee, don’t forget to take care of your trees! Snow can easily cause branches to break. Be sure to remove snow by pushing it off the limbs gently, using an upward motion. If your tree has ice on it, do not break the ice off. Instead, use a garden hose and connect it to a hot water faucet. Use warm water, but not too hot, to spray off the tree and melt the ice.

Prune

Winter is actually an ideal time to prune your trees and inspect them. With all the leaves gone, you can easily see the entire structure of the tree and identify any potential problem areas. Pruning during this dormant period can also help prevent the spread of diseases since their organisms are also dormant during the winter.

Tree care can be more of a hassle for some folks, and in some cases, too dangerous to mess with as an amateur. Instead, you can hire professional arborists from Promier Tree to maintain your trees for you!

Tree Care Services in the Tri-Cities

Promier Tree serves the areas of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport, TN. To schedule a consultation with one of our certified arborists for your tree care needs, call (423) 765-2626.