Care for Your Trees in Winter

Wind and a lack of liquid water can cause drought in the winter months. Once the ground freezes, tree roots can't absorb any more water. While it might seem strange to water trees in cold weather, it should be done if you didn't do it earlier in the fall, as tree roots often do not get enough moisture after the ground is frozen for an extended period of time. While often there isn't much to be done about drought once winter really kicks in, on a milder day when the ground isn't frozen, you can try watering around the base of trees.

Helpful Tip

Add a thick layer of mulch around tree bases in late fall and water them thoroughly then. The mulch helps the tree roots retain water, slows moisture loss and runoff and acts as a buffer between tree roots and frigid temperatures.

Your trees are unlike their counterparts in a forest or other wooded area in that they probably are unprotected and isolated in comparison. Trees in this situation should be sheltered and protected from the wind and cold by wrapping their trunks or covering them completely for a short time with tree blankets or other types of coverings. Younger trees are especially susceptible to the effects of the cold.

Protect tree bark from cracking by wrapping tree trunks with burlap strips. Wind them diagonally around the trunk, and secure the strips with twine.

Some trees may require complete coverage for short-periods when the cold is especially harsh. Using heavy sheets, blankets or cold weather blankets made specifically for this purpose can protect your trees. Drape the material over the tree you want to protect and secure it to the ground or around the trunk to prevent it from blowing or slipping off using twine. This should be done temporarily only when temperatures are at their most extreme.

The weather isn't the only thing that trees contend with during winter. Squirrels, rabbits, mice and other animals, such as deer, can damage bark, limbs and leaves.

Place wire mesh or chicken wire around the base of the tree about 6" from the tree like a fence to prevent most rodents from getting their teeth on the bark. You may want to apply a squirrel repellent to stop squirrels from climbing and damaging trees. Consult your local True Value expert for the best product for the job.

Winter is a great time to prune most deciduous trees. Because they're dormant in winter, fruit, flowering and shade trees can be pruned now. When pruning large limbs, always undercut first — cut from the bottom up, one-third of the way through the limb, then finish by cutting from the top. The undercut keeps the limb from splitting and breaking off, preventing damage to the trunk. Don't cut flush to the trunk. It's the collar or enlarged base of a branch that produces the hormones to help heal wounds, so it's important to keep the collar intact.

Good job! By braving the chill and caring for your trees during the winter months, they will flourish and help your property look its best.