December 21,2023 is officially the first day of winter. Are your trees prepared?
Go through the below checklist to ensure that your trees are prepared for whatever type of winter Mother Nature throws at us!
Cleanup
Before you can start to strengthen your trees you have to clean up the dead ones first. Remove dead or fallen trees or branches from your property, or if they’re too large, hire a tree removal company to do the job for you. Another way to cleanup your yard is to remove or replant wayward seedlings that have popped up a little too close to your home or other plants.
Prune
One of the last parts of the cleanup process is pruning. Pruning a tree consists of removing dead or dying branches, which fortifies the overall strength of a tree. This process is vital to sustaining the life of your trees throughout the winter, not to mention it protects your property. When heavy snow falls and sits on dying branches it can cause them to fall, in turn possibly damaging your property or your family. Get pruning before it snows!
Wrap Trees
Leaves provide an extra layer of protection for trees so when they die it’s important to keep protecting your trees in an alternative way. Wrapping your trees provides a layer of protection that helps them fight off winter sunscald and other bark-damaging conditions. You can wrap your trees Pro-tip: Wrap your trees top to bottom, that way moisture won’t collect in the folds!
Water
We’re all accustomed to draughts in the summer but what about winter draughts? Although we picture snow and ice, winters can be just as dry as summers so it’s important to give your trees a drink. Give your trees a little extra water during the fall months and mulch to retain moisture.
Mulch
Placing mulch around your trees helps them retain moisture and reduce temperature extremes in the soil during the dryer, colder winter months. An important thought to keep in mind when mulching is to remember to leave a 6-nch space between your tree and the mulch to discourage fungus growth on the actual trunk itself.
Fertilize
Between the hot summer and the cold winter, the soil around your trees is guaranteed to lose some of its nutrients. Give your trees a treat by treating their soil with fertilizer. A slow-release fertilizer should help sustain your trees throughout the winter as well as ward off damage, disease, and insects.
Plant
Who knew that when everything is dying it’s actually a perfect time to plant new life? Cooler late fall and winter temperatures are perfect for stimulating root growth in new trees. On the surface it might look like your tree is dying but below the ground its roots become strong and prepared for a quick spring growth spurt.