Prevent Winter Damage to Trees and Shrubs
With the change in seasons fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about preventing winter damage to the trees and shrubs on your property. Before you start decorating the tree for Christmas inside, the plants outside your home will need some attention to get them ready for the upcoming season and weather changes ahead. Check out these tips from your friends at Unlimited Lawn Care for helping your trees and shrubs survive through the colder months and thrive in the spring.
Types of Damage Caused by Winter Weather
Although we might not have a lot of harsh winter weather here in the South, plants can still suffer during this time from a variety of weather changes and other factors. Tree and shrub damage caused by winter weather includes:
- Cold, brisk winds.
- Freezing temperatures.
- Sun-scald from exposure to temperature extremes and bright winter light.
- Decreasing humidity levels and dry conditions.
- Buildup of snow or ice on branches.
- Damage from hungry animals.
Prepare Your Trees & Shrubs For Winter
In order to get your trees and shrubs prepared for winter, there are just a few things you need to work on before the weather gets too cold. A little bit of time and effort now will save you a lot of headache in the spring dealing with damaged or injured plants. Adding mulch, watering regularly all through the year, putting up a protective barrier, and pruning plants at the appropriate time will set your trees and shrubs up for success this season and in the future.
Mulching
While you might think that you only need to add mulch to your garden beds in the spring, mulching is also an important step in winterizing your trees and shrubs. Mulching helps to insulate your dormant plants as temperatures drop and winter weather conditions arrive. This protection is especially important for areas like ours that can experience quick freezing and thawing cycles, which can severely damage young plants or plants with shallow roots.
If you’re not expecting consistent below-freezing temperatures, then you can probably skip this step for now. Insulating your plants when the temperatures aren’t too cold can actually make them continue in their normal growth cycle instead of becoming dormant. Any tender new growth your plants produce can be easily damaged by frost, snow, or ice.
DIY Mulching
You can find mulch at most outdoor stores, but you could also use some things from around your yard if you’d like to save some time and money. Loose straw, small pieces of bark, or pine needles raked up from around your lawn are great options for mulching your plants. Once your trees and shrubs start to show signs of new growth in the spring, you’ll know it's time to remove the winter mulch and let your plants enjoy the warmer temperatures.
Water Consistently Throughout the Year
Another important part in preparing your trees and shrubs for the winter is actually something you should be doing all throughout the year: watering your plants properly and consistently. If your plants are watered well regularly, they will be very healthy and develop strong root systems. This means they will be prepared for the decreased humidity that typically arrives along with winter weather. If your plants have experienced a dry summer or are young, adequate water will help make sure they survive through the winter.
Apply Burlap Or Other Protective Barriers
You can further protect your vulnerable trees and shrubs from brisk wind, sunscald, potential damage from hungry animals, and other winter weather by placing a protective barrier around the plants in your yard. Evergreen plants are especially susceptible to drying out from winter winds, and young plants with sensitive new growth can easily be damaged by heavy snow, layers of ice or frost, and animals looking for a new food source when other options are scarce.
Frost blankets and burlap wraps are great options for protecting your plants from these threats. You should avoid using plastic to wrap trees and shrubs because this can create potentially damaging condensation and it doesn’t protect your plants from changing temperatures as well as more natural materials. Another great option is to create a DIY protective barrier and windbreak by using leftover evergreen branches from around your yard or even from your Christmas tree!
Prune Trees & Shrubs
Although usually done in the summer and fall, pruning trees and shrubs is essential for preparing your plants for the winter. Seasonal pruning and trimming help to regulate the growth of your plants, stimulating new, healthy production, making sure each part of the plant gets enough sunlight, and reducing the risk of falling branches. This is especially important during the winter when snow and ice accumulation can cause branches to break and fall, potentially damaging your home or car. Pruning is a time-consuming and sometimes challenging task, so it's best to leave it to the local tree and shrub care professionals at Unlimited Lawn Care.
Get Help From The Professionals
Winter tree and shrub maintenance is a key part of making sure the plants on your property stick around for many years to come. But, your plants don’t just need extra attention in the winter. Trees and shrubs need care all year round, and the local experts from Unlimited Lawn Care are here to help. We have over 20 years of experience caring for trees and shrubs in the South and can make sure the plants in your yard are in top shape and well prepared for whatever nature sends their way, no matter the season.