As winter approaches, it is important that your trees are prepared for the weather. Winter temperatures can wreak havoc on trees. This is especially true if you haven’t taken the right steps to prepare your trees for winter during the late summer and fall. Here are six essential services your tree needs before winter.
Now that fall is here, it's time to schedule a tree inspection. Inspecting for pests and diseases can help you get your trees ready for winter. Household pests tend to go dormant during the winter, but, that's not the case where trees are concerned.
Winter pests, like beetles and borers, can cause significant damage to trees. A tree inspection will identify pest and disease issues. That way, your tree service can start treating these issues right away. With proper treatment, you can prevent further damage and promote tree health.
Continue the Pruning Process
Pruning is an essential tree service throughout the year. During the spring and summer, pruning your trees helps to promote new growth. But, you should also be pruning your trees during the fall and winter. When you prune your trees during the fall and winter, you can remove the weak branches and limbs. This process helps reduce the risk of damage caused by limb breakage. Winter and fall pruning helps to reduce wounds caused by wind-related limb rubbing.
Replenish the Nutrients
Trees don't experience much growth during the winter. Because of this, you might not think your trees need added fertilizer treatments. That's not the case though. Providing your trees with essential nutrients before winter can give them the strength they need to survive the cold weather. That's especially important where nitrogen is concerned.
Have a tree service apply nitrogen during the winter to help replenish the soil. This helps encourage new growth once spring arrives. If you're not sure what nutrients your trees will need during the winter, give us a call. We can determine the appropriate fertilizer and application method for your trees.
Apply Root Protection
Now that winter is coming, take steps to protect delicate tree roots. Soil is usually enough protection for your deep tree roots. But, surface-level and exposed roots need more protection. Ice and rain can cause serious damage to exposed roots during the winter.
That's where mulch becomes beneficial. Applying a thick layer of mulch around your trees helps to insulate the root system. In fact, a thick layer of mulch helps stabilize the soil around your trees. This helps to prevent soil erosion.
Hydrate Saplings
If you planted young saplings this past summer, they're going to need extra care during the winter. Start by giving your young saplings extra hydration throughout the fall. Extra hydration helps your young trees establish strong roots that can survive the winter. The extra water also ensures that the soil is hydrated enough to keep your young trees healthy throughout the long winter.
Create a Barrier
If you're like most people, you wear a coat during the winter. You might not realize that your trees need the same type of protection. That's where burlap wraps come into the picture. Burlap wraps help to protect your trees from winter weather conditions. Burlap wraps also protect tree trunks from damage caused by animals.
It's not uncommon for wildlife to chew on tree bark during the winter. Unfortunately, this activity can do a lot of damage to your trees. Wrapping your tree trunks in burlap will protect them from damage. It's also a good idea to wrap your young sapling trees. The extra protection can help young trees survive the winter.
As we approach the winter weather, give
McClain’s Tree Experts a call for expert advice and assistance with preparing your trees for the colder months. We can take care of all your tree care needs and ensure they remain healthy all winter and year long.
