Trees are an asset to almost any yard. They provide shade and energy relief to homes, and healthy trees decorate landscapes for beautiful curb appeal. Mature trees and young saplings alike need appropriate care throughout the year. In the winter, it may be tempting to let trees lie dormant and unattended, but proper care just before and throughout the winter season will help trees thrive. Here are seven tree maintenance tips to help keep the trees in your yard in tip-top condition.
1. Prune the Branches
Tree branches are continually growing, and much like people need to trim their hair regularly, tree maintenance is important to maintain a healthy appearance. Pruning the branches in the dormant season will allow for new growth in the spring, and it will help prevent future damage to your yard, vehicles, and home by removing dead branches that would likely break off under winter snow and ice.
2. Water Thoroughly
Just because a tree has shed its leaves doesn’t mean it has nothing to hydrate. During the fall season, be sure to water your trees regularly, because once the temperature drops below freezing, trees have difficulty absorbing water from the frozen earth. Watering is especially important for younger trees since their root systems are less established and more vulnerable to winter drought. Begin watering at a slow and steady rate, like with a sprinkler, just outside the tree, as far out as the longest branches.
3. Mulch the Base of the Tree
Mulching around a tree’s base is best done before the hard, cold temperatures hit. Mulching will give the tree base a protective layer that will aid in water absorption and protects tree roots from extreme winter temperatures. For best results, mulch with two to four inches of wood chips, bark, or organic mulch spread between three and ten feet from the base of the tree.
4. Wrap the Base of the Tree
Trees come in various thicknesses, and so does tree bark. Young tender trees with thin bark are vulnerable to damage from winter wind and sun, and may potentially crack and dry due to winter weather stress. Wrap the base of the tree up to the first branches with a commercial tree wrap to protect its bark.
5. Be Proactive in Pest Prevention
Even the most vigilant tree caretaker can have their trees ruined by pests and rodents. Since the cold weather kills much of the ground’s vegetation, these creatures seek out the tender bark of young trees as sustenance during the winter. To protect your trees, consider the tree wrap mentioned above or wrap some wire mesh around the base of the tree, taking care to bury the bottom edge a couple of inches below the soil surface.
6. Protect Trees From Frost and Freeze
Young trees, fruit trees, and small trees are the most susceptible to harsh temperatures, so before the first frost, cover trees with a tarp, burlap, or sheet to protect against the frost. Secure the covering to the ground with long stakes and rope. Apply fertilizer over the extent of the root system in the fall so that the tree doesn’t lose extensive nutrients during the cold winter months.
7. Prevent Damage to Trees From Ice Melt
If a tree grows near a driveway or sidewalk where ice melt will be used, be sure to choose an ice melt that is pet and plant-friendly. Once the ice melts and the water runs off into the soil, nearby trees will absorb the runoff. You want to make sure that the contents of the ice melt will not harm your trees in the long run.
Tree maintenance is important, and Orchard Park Tree Service can help you get your trees ready for the winter months ahead. Contact us today!
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