How to Protect Newly Planted Trees from Winter

Planting trees is a fantastic way to beautify your space and contribute to a greener world. Trees add aesthetic value to your surroundings, help to purify the air, and provide shade to reduce your carbon footprint. However, it's important to keep in mind that newly planted trees are vulnerable to winter weather conditions. Winter frost and snowstorms can damage their growth or even kill them. In this article, we will discuss how to protect newly planted trees from winter.

Choose the Right Time to Plant

The best time to plant a tree is during its dormant season, which varies depending on the species's region. Planting trees too late in the fall might not give them enough time to prepare for winter. The roots need time to establish and spread out, so it's essential to complete planting at least six weeks before the first frost. Try not to plant trees during a period of extended drought or extreme heat, which might stress their growth and make them more vulnerable to winter injures.

Provide Adequate Water and Nutrients

During the first few weeks of planting, the roots of the newly planted trees are still shallow, requiring frequent watering. However, you should not overwater, as an excessive amount of water can be harmful. Make sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. When the cold season approaches, water the trees deeply enough to keep the roots hydrated before the ground freezes.

Also, apply a layer of mulch around the base of the trees to regulate the soil's temperature and retain moisture. This will protect the roots from frost heaves, which happens when soil thaws and freezes repeatedly, causing the roots to break.

Wrap the Trees

Wrapping trees is another technique to protect them from the winter weather. This aims to keep the trunks and branches from getting sunscald, which occurs when the cells of the bark and wood inside the trees become damaged. To wrap trees, use tree wrap or burlap, and wrap from the bottom of the trunk to just below the lowest branches. The wrap should only stay during the winter months, as leaving it on during any other season could lead to insect and disease infestation.

Prune the Trees

Pruning trees is a crucial step in keeping the branches from breaking during the winter. By pruning the trees, you can eliminate those with crossed branches and weak crotches, leaving healthy and well-positioned branches for the winter. Pruning improves airflow among the branches and allows sunlight to penetrate through, which results in healthier and more robust trees.

Conclusion

In summary, winter weather can be harsh and damaging to newly planted trees. However, if you keep the above tips in mind, you can help protect them and ensure their survival. Choose the right time to plant, provide adequate water and nutrients, wrap the trees, and prune them before the winter months arrive. By doing so, your newly planted trees should grow strong and healthy, providing the benefits of beauty and environmental transformation for years to come.