Trees biologically start preparing for winter in the fall. When you start to see leaves changing, you should take note. There are certain preparations that property owners should make as well if they have large trees surrounding their homes. Not only will these preparations help keep your property looking great, but they will also make your property safer during the long winter months. This quick guide will provide you with some tips and advice on how to winterize trees. Keep reading to learn more.
Autumn Clean Up
To get started, you should plan for an autumn clean-up toward the end of fall. Cleaning up is the first step to properly preparing your trees and property for winter. You should remove dead or fallen trees and branches. If you are dealing with large trees, be sure to hire a professional tree service to do this safely. This is also a good time to identify seedlings that have sprouted up in places you don’t want them. Uproot the seedlings and replant or dispose of them.
Pruning
Now is the time to prune trees to remove dead or dying branches. This is an important part of winter tree care. Not only does this improve the appearance of the tree, but it is essential to keeping your trees healthy. Pruning also increases the safety of your property, and it can cut down on the instances of sudden falling branches. This can happen when heavy snow or ice accumulates on branches during the winter.
Wrapping
Some trees will require that you wrap them during the winter to protect them from sunscald. Sunscald can happen during the winter months when the tree does not have any leaves to provide shade from the sun.
Water and Mulch
You should water your trees adequately during the fall and add extra mulch to ensure that the moisture is retained. Mulching will also prevent those freezing temps from damaging the lower part of the tree and the roots. Remember, you should always leave a six-inch space between the mulch and the bottom tree bark. This prevents fungus from growing.
Fertilize
During the active summer growing season, the soil surrounding your trees will lose nutrients. Now is a good time to fertilize. Use a slow-release fertilizer to maintain tree health during the winter.
Plant New Trees
As surprising as it sounds, fall is the perfect time to plant new trees. The cooler temps will stimulate root growth and help new trees achieve establishment in the soil. When spring rolls around, these well-established young trees can enjoy a quick healthy growth spurt.