Winter is here! It’s important to take special care of your trees to keep them healthy this season. But keeping them in good shape in the winter months can be a challenge.
Nearly all trees show stress signs amid the temperature drop-down and dry winds.
Additionally, the cold conditions decelerate the growth of fresh leaves and flowers.
Despite this, winter continues to be a great time for tree pruning in Austin, TX to prepare them for springtime blooms and the summer season. Also, the chilly air slows down several fungal infections that can occur in wet conditions in other seasons — so prepare your landscape to survive the winter.
Take a look at these tips for winter tree care before you get too far into the season!
Get A Tree Inspection
Winter weakens the immune system of trees, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Not only that, but trees also have to handle snow, ice, and dry wind that can cause harm to their bark and branches.
As such, it is particularly important to have your trees examined by a professional arborist in winter to identify any problems and advise suitable solutions based on their condition.
Ideally, the tree surgeon will review:
- The general health of a tree
- Any injury to the bark
- The presence of insects or diseases
- The structural strength of a tree
- Soil and the nutrients
- Potential dangers posed by trees
Tree Trimming and Pruning
Winter tree trimming and pruning is a yearly maintenance task that is vital for the general health of your trees and shrubs. Since the growth of trees slows down in winter so the branch visibility of deciduous trees improves. This means arborists can more easily prune the branches for optimum shape, structure, and health.
Dormant tree pruning is specifically important for dead branch removal of broken, diseased, or dead tree limbs. This improves your tree’s strength so when heavy snow and ice gather, there’s less risk for accidental branch breakage.
Additionally, a certified arborist can limit the spread of diseases like oak wilt or elms by dormant tree trimming in Austin, TX.
Mulch Before It Freezes
Another helpful winter tree care tip is to mulch the trees before they freeze. Mulch helps keep the soil near the tree warm, thus stopping the roots from freezing.
Mulching also helps to keep moisture in the soil, which is vital as trees require water in winter, even when it’s chilly outside.
Protect Vulnerable Trees and Plants
New trees, trees with thin bark, and cedars can be protected from extreme weather conditions, by wrapping the base of a tree using burlap tree wrap or plastic tree guard. Additionally, this wrap helps hold moisture, prevents damage from herbivores, and discourages feeding by sapsuckers.
Water During Warmer Temperatures
Keep your trees well-hydrated by deeply watering them at least once a week during winter months. When very cold, the ground generally freezes solid, stopping water from reaching the roots.
So, it’s recommended to water your trees when it’s warmer. This way the water will absorb into the soil and be available to the trees when the ground softens.
Avoid Using Salt or De-Icer
Salt or de-icer is usually used on walkways and steps in snowy months. But avoid using salt and de-icer as they can be damaging to trees and plants. Salt is toxic and can cause soil compaction, prevent root growth, and make it tougher for tree roots to soak up water from the ground, leading to dehydration.
De-icer causes plants to be yellow, brown, and die. It dehydrates twigs and branches, making them more vulnerable to breaking in the wind.
Fertilize Trees and Shrubs
Trees can lose nutrients all through the year. And city soils don’t help; they aren’t as nourishing or full of organic substance as the forest floor.
Deep root fertilization can replace these nutrients and enhance your trees’ resistance to pests, diseases, and brutal winter weather.
Look out for Heavy Snow
Too much snow can harm trees, particularly if it’s wet and weighed down by ice. The best way to shield your trees from heavy snow is by using a snow fence or a burlap sack.
A snow fence is a construction made of wood or metal covered in net cloth. It is in front of a tree to repel snowfall and keep it from collecting on branches.
You can use burlap sacks to save trees from heavy snow. The bags are packed with hay, straw, or leaves, which will help break the impact of the snow and ice.
Protect Your Trees This Winter with These Winter Tree Care Tips
Trees and plants need special care and preparations to live through the chilly weather! New or vulnerable trees need special attention to prevent damage from extreme conditions. Removing heavy snow without causing any harm to a tree is very challenging in the winter month.
This is where the tips from a professional Tree Services Company in Austin, TX can help. Maintain your property’s beautiful landscaping by using tree trimming, tree pruning, deep root fertilization, and other services from AJ Tree Services, Austin, TX. If you need more information regarding winter tree care, or would like an estimate, give us a call at 512-293-8596 (Austin, TX), 830-929-9185(San Antonio, TX).
