The winter is harsh on trees. It can damage branches, soft tissue, and their root structures. Trees that are already weakened are even more susceptible to these effects. Luckily, there are a few steps an arborist will take to protect your home from the inclement weather. Here are a few services to schedule before the season arrives.

How to Care for Your Trees Before the Winter

1. Pruning

During the fall months, wind may have broken tree branches and exposed them to pests. Pruning gives arborists an opportunity to remove weakened and damaged branches. When the cold hits, trees enter dormancy, which reduces the rate at which water flows through the tissue. This is the best time to prune, since disease that may have affected weak branches won’t spread to other areas.

2. Mulching

Roots are susceptible to freezing. Throughout the day, the soil warms and freezes, creating frost heaving. Heaving is the repeated process of soil contraction and expansion. This creates small air gaps in the soil, allowing the freezing air into the root structure.

During extremely cold weather, this can kill the roots. Placing mulch around the base of your trees will trap in the warmth, giving roots a better chance of surviving the season.

3. Wrapping

The wind and cold air make humans’ lips chap, and a similar effect happens to trees, especially those with damaged barks. This is called winter burn. Winter burn usually starts with frost heaving, and as the roots become cold, they stop supplying water to the rest of the tree. The limited moisture is reduced further by the sun, wind, and cold temperatures.

As the cold damages the tissues moving water through the tree, the plant can brown and die. Wrapping tree trunks in burlap creates a warmth barrier, providing enough protection against winter burn.

 

If you’re looking for a professional arborist to help your trees prepare for the winter, turn to Liscombe Tree Service in St. Charles, MO. Their arborists are fully insured and happy to help with pruning, trimming, and health inspections. They offer affordable pricing so a range of customers can take advantage of their skills. Call today at (314) 650-9055 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to view their services.