Winter is on its way, which to the average homeowner means, preventative maintenance time. On top of all the other chores and projects homeowners take on before winter sets in, it is important to pay attention to any newly planted or young-growth trees. They can fall victim to the harsh winter climates and freezing temperatures if certain precautions are taken before hand. Because trees are beautiful, beneficial, and costly, no one wants to lose one if it can be prevented. Continue reading to learn some tips for preparing younger or recently-planted trees for winter.
Mulching
Mulch is one of the best defenses against cold winter temperatures and precipitation. It acts as insulation, protecting the tree’s root system below by sealing in heat in the soil. It provides protection against wind, frost, snow, and freezing temperatures. Although it seems counterproductive to lay mulch before the snow, a newly planted tree can quickly die or upheave without proper root protection. The easiest and best way to achieve this is with mulch.
Tree Trunk Guards
Not only can the cold affect trees, the sunlight can too. Sun scald is a common problem for new trees or young trees. Too much exposure to bright sunlight will cause the tree’s bark to peel, crack, die, and drop off. It creates fissures and other damages on the tree bark that can jeopardize the health of the tree. To prevent this, simple wrap your young or newly planted tree trunks with a tree guard or plastic wrap, or another store-bought tree wrapping material. These wraps insulate the tree and reflect the sunlight back off the bark, preventing scald damage. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to install as well.
Branch Protection
Winter precipitation can become too heavy for newly planted or young trees to handle. Too much snow or ice can cause tree branches to crack, break, and fall. To prevent this, wrap tree branches in burlap, or install tree stakes to hold limbs in place.