Winter Tree Care
Summer and fall may be the busiest seasons, but if you fail to do your tree work, you don't have to stress because winter is also a great time for tree work. In fact, some tree works are more appropriate to do during the dormant season. The following are some of the tree work that is best done in winter:
Whether you are considering pruning or tree removals in the winter, you still have to think about the welfare of your tree and how to maintain its health. Here are some of the ways for common tree protection.
- Removals- tree removal is best done in winter because the ground is covered with ice. This means that there will be less impact on lawns and the areas around the tree being taken down.
- Forest work- thinning and trail clearing is best done in winter.
- Pruning- the dormant season is the most ideal time to do tree pruning. It is because pruning during dormant season can help the tree conserve its energy effectively come spring.
Whether you are considering pruning or tree removals in the winter, you still have to think about the welfare of your tree and how to maintain its health. Here are some of the ways for common tree protection.
Tree Protection for Winter
Before the cold season hits, there are a number of approaches that you can utilize to protect your trees from the extreme cold and other elements:
Mulching
Mulch should be placed around the root zone of newly-planted trees. This will help keep the moisture in and protect the roots from a freeze-thaw cycle that can happen in early spring. Mulch can also help protect the tree from salt damage as it becomes a buffer for road salt. Just remember not to pile mulch around the trunk because it can harm the tree.
Staking
Staking helps the plant to grow without tilting to the point that it breaks and halts its growth. Staking may also help newly planted trees that are planted in windy or exposed areas. Stakes are usually removed during spring. By this time, the tree can already be used to the wind and will no longer break.
It is more advisable to use wooden stakes than metal bars rather than wire. Wires can envelop the tree while metal bars may be hard to remove if left for too long.
It is more advisable to use wooden stakes than metal bars rather than wire. Wires can envelop the tree while metal bars may be hard to remove if left for too long.
Tree guards
For recently planted trees with young bark will benefit a lot from adding tree guards. Tree guards can shield trees from rodents that are chewing at the bark. Sunscald is common in Sugar Maples but it can also happen in other species altogether. The southwest side of the tree is mostly where Sunscald affects. The temperature in the late winter causes the sap to begin flowing. When the temperature drops at night, young bark breaks and freezes.
Burlap Wrapping
Before wrapping a plant, you should first know what you are protecting it from. Flower buds, needles, or evergreen leaves need to be protected from winds. Also, sidewalk salt will speed up drying. Another reason for burlap wrapping is to protect damaged or broken branches from ice throughout the winter season. Some plants that may need wrapping are evergreens that were planted in the previous year, plants that are situated next to heavily salted sidewalks.
Winter Pruning and Trimming
There are many benefits to winter pruning. It makes the structure of the tree more visible. It improves the overall health of your tree and also its safety. Winter pruning also stops diseases from spreading. Further, it causes trees to stress less because pruning in winter does not stimulate new growth until spring comes. Pruning also improves safety throughout the winter season. Winter tree trimming eliminates danger to protect your property and the lives of your loved ones. By chopping off, diseased and dead wood, you help restore weaker trees.
Winter Tree Damage
Extreme cold can bring snow, ice and wind damages to trees. Ice and salt are two of the main winter tree damages. Here are some tips you can do to avoid these damages. We sometimes forget to take care of our trees during winter and just enjoy the warmth of our homes without thinking of the potential danger unattended trees can cause.
Ice Damage
An ice storm can cause large-scale damage to trees. Ice build-up on branches can cause trees to fail due to its heavy weight. If a tree has already been damaged before, it becomes more susceptible to damage in the future.
Proper pruning will do a lot to prevent this from happening. If not done properly, pruning may be counterproductive. Proper pruning approaches depend on the health and species of the tree and the purpose for pruning.
Homeowners should do preventive maintenance for trees to avoid them from being hazardous in the long run. Whatever the issue is, the earlier you address it, the lesser it becomes dangerous for you and your loved ones.
Keep in mind that it is necessary that certified arborists inspect your tree if it is storm damaged. Professionals would know what to do with your tree and how to handle it exactly. You might think that you can do it on your own, but it involves you and your family's safety, then you should trust the professionals to handle it for you.
Proper pruning will do a lot to prevent this from happening. If not done properly, pruning may be counterproductive. Proper pruning approaches depend on the health and species of the tree and the purpose for pruning.
Homeowners should do preventive maintenance for trees to avoid them from being hazardous in the long run. Whatever the issue is, the earlier you address it, the lesser it becomes dangerous for you and your loved ones.
Keep in mind that it is necessary that certified arborists inspect your tree if it is storm damaged. Professionals would know what to do with your tree and how to handle it exactly. You might think that you can do it on your own, but it involves you and your family's safety, then you should trust the professionals to handle it for you.
Salt Damage
Salt is used to melt ice on the streets. However, the use of a salt spray can also cause damage to lawns and some plants. Salt holds in moisture from the grass that turns it to brown. When salt is driven by wind, it can cause damage and injury to plants, specifically to fir and pine spruce.
Presence of salt in the ground makes it difficult for plants to effectively take in water. It can cause poor growth and nutrient deficiencies among plants. Red and White Oak, Austrian Pine, and Blue Spruce are more salt resistant than other species.
Treating salt damage on injured plants involve using pelletized gypsum soil. Gypsum or calcium sulfate helps restore the health of grass and stimulates new growth. Further, this helps keep water in the soil.
Protect your trees from winter damage by hiring the best tree service company in Lincoln, NE.
Presence of salt in the ground makes it difficult for plants to effectively take in water. It can cause poor growth and nutrient deficiencies among plants. Red and White Oak, Austrian Pine, and Blue Spruce are more salt resistant than other species.
Treating salt damage on injured plants involve using pelletized gypsum soil. Gypsum or calcium sulfate helps restore the health of grass and stimulates new growth. Further, this helps keep water in the soil.
Protect your trees from winter damage by hiring the best tree service company in Lincoln, NE.