Winter Protection for Trees This Upcoming Season
When we think about winter and trees, we usually picture snow and ice. However, it’s actually not always just the cold that hurts trees during wintertime. The real danger comes from strong winds, heavy rain, and even freezes which can cause severe damage to your precious trees.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to winterizing plants during this time of year. Everyone who lives in Florida knows how tropical plants tend to be sensitive and suffer damage during cold weather conditions. However, not many people know how to protect them. Once winter begins, don’t be left scrambling to get your trees protected before it’s too late. Instead, read on to learn how you can keep them healthy throughout winter.
Why Protecting Your Trees Before Winter is Important?
You may think that there really is no need to protect your trees this winter. Although we do not experience the snow, ice, and frigid temperatures as more northern states do, our winter climate drops scientifically, especially overnight. Even the slightest drop in temperature is enough to put your healthy trees into a state of shock. This can cause irreversible damage and ultimately a dead tree that you’ll be left caring for after the season.
When you invest time into proper tree protection, you’ll avoid having to take care of dying trees in the springtime. And instead, all you have to think about is scheduling regular tree care services for the spring.
Winter Protection for Trees
Protecting your trees for the winter is not as difficult as it may seem. There are a few different methods that can help and be reasonably inexpensive. There are a few various factors to consider when looking into winter protection for your trees, such as:
- budget
- size of the tree
- type of tree
1. Lay Mulch
Did you know that heat radiates from the soil when temperatures above ground drop? By adding a layer of mulch around the base of your tree, you can help keep heat trapped by the roots. The root system is a tree’s lifeline. When damage occurs to the roots, the tree often becomes damaged from the inside out. You can ensure that the roots avoid freezing or shock from the colder temperatures above by preventing heat from escaping. There are also many other benefits to mulching your trees, such as:
- improves soil
- adds curb appeal
- prevents weeds
- conserve’s moisture
2. Add a Cover
Plant coverings are a great way to keep heat in and frost out. Think of a cover as an added layer of winter protection for trees. Trees that are smaller and easier to cover, this is a great way to protect them against the cold. There are many different types of material to choose from when picking the right cover. Keep in mind that material such as plastic can cause more harm than good. Plastic material can stick to the leaves and make it difficult for moisture to evaporate and good air circulation. Leaves can also become caught on the material and break off, causing damage. Therefore, try to opt for coverings that are made with cloth sheets, quilts, or commercial frost cloths.
3. Nurture Your Trees
It makes sense that healthier trees are more able to withstand the colder temperatures. In turn, they can also recover from damage faster. Feralization is a great way to give your trees the proper nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Although it has many benefits, it’s essential to take note of when you fertilize your trees. Late fertilization can create new and early growth, which has a higher chance of becoming damaged from the cold weather. Finding the right time to incorporate fertilization in your tree care routine can help any tree fight the upcoming cold front.
After Winter Care
After winter, care is just as crucial to the health of your trees as is preparing them for winter. After the temperatures begin to rise once again constantly, you can start to examine your trees for any damages caused by the cold weather. Since it can be challenging to determine cold damage in trees, it is best to get a professional option on the health of your trees. Our ISA-certified arborist can help you pinpoint and address your concerns regarding your tree’s health after the winter season.
When your trees become suffer damage from the cold, they have a greater chance of suffering from other issues such as:
- pest infestation
- foliage burn
- fungus
Think about it this way, when we feel stressed out, our bodies are more susceptible to catching a cold and getting sick. Trees are very similar in that aspect.
Conclusion
Even though Florida is known as the sunshine state, our winters can get a little too cold for comfort, especially for our tropical trees. If you are looking for the top tree care services around, contact us at SB Tree Service. We offer full-spectrum tree and property care services. Don’t wait until the next cold front rolls around to get your trees protected; call us today to schedule an estimate!