“How do you keep trees from dying in the winter?” We hear this question every year, without fail. While trees have withstood harsh winters long before modern tree care, there are a few simple steps you can take to help them thrive in the colder months. We’ve compiled a list of our top winter tree care tips for preparing trees for cold weather so you can learn how to protect trees in winter.
Proper Mulching to Insulate Tree Roots
Before winter sets in, give your trees a “blanket” of mulch. Mulching insulates tree roots, protecting them from Wisconsin’s harsh winter cold. Along with insulation, mulch benefits trees year-round by enriching soil, retaining moisture, and improving aeration.
To properly mulch your trees, lay down a layer of mulch that is 2-4 inches deep and a 4-6 foot radius around the trunk of the tree. Be sure to avoid mulch volcanos, where the mulch creates a cone around the base of the tree, as this can be severely damaging to the tree.
Pruning Trees in the Winter
When is it best to cut back trees? It may not seem obvious at first, but winter is actually the best time to prune trees. Many people think that you can only prune trees in the fall to get ready for the winter, but some actions can be safer, easier, and more effective when done once the cold weather moves in. Here are a few reasons why:
- Dormancy: Often characterized by the routine dropping of leaves, trees enter dormancy in the fall for energy conservation and damage reduction.
- Improved Visibility: Without the lush leaves on the branches, it is significantly easier to see the structure of your tree and identify dead or dangerous branches. This speeds up the pruning process as well.
- Disease & Pests: Each cut on a tree is an open wound, inviting pests and diseases. But in winter, the risk is lower as many pests and diseases are also dormant.
Protecting Your Trees From Winter Weather
Wisconsin winters bring extreme cold and heavy snowfall, often enhanced by lake-effect conditions from the Great Lakes. We’ve all experienced the glare from sunlight on snow—this intense light, coupled with fluctuating temperatures, can wreak havoc on trees.
How Can I Prevent Winter Sunscald?
Sunscald is a type of winter damage common in late winter when sunlight, often magnified by snow, warms the bark and “wakes up” cells beneath it. When temperatures drop again, these cells freeze and die, with younger trees or those with thin bark being most vulnerable.
Wrapping your trees can add an extra layer of protection, shielding bark from direct sunlight and helping to prevent sunscald altogether.
How Do You Wrap Trees to Protect From Freezing?
Tree wrapping isn’t just for preventing sunscald; it also guards against frost cracks and damage from extreme temperature swings.
To wrap your trees correctly, start at the tree’s base and work your way up to the first major branch. Wrap securely but not too tightly, overlapping each layer by about a third of the wrap’s width.
How Can I Keep My Trees Hydrated in the Winter?
When temperatures drop below freezing, the ground often freezes too, making it tough for trees to get the water they need. To stay ahead of the freeze, water your trees manually before the ground becomes solid. Keep an eye on weather forecasts to avoid missing this small window of opportunity before it’s too late.
Prepare Your Trees for Winter
Preparing for winter can feel daunting, but a little planning goes a long way in protecting your trees. Don’t let winter catch you unprepared—schedule your free winterization consultation to ensure your trees stay healthy through the season.
