Your trees need attention and maintenance year-round. However, the winter brings a unique combination of threats that can put your landscaping at risk. Keeping up with tree care and looking for the following types of damage will ensure your greenery survives these colder months.

How Do Trees Get Damaged During Winter?

1. Sunscald

During the winter, the sun may temporarily heat a tree’s bark and activate its tissues. When the sun gets blocked by a cloud, the tree’s temperature will plummet, and the activated tissues will die. Also known as sunscald, this process causes the bark to darken, roughen, and eventually break off. To prevent sunscald, use a commercial tree wrap to protect the bark from the winter sun. 

If sunscald does occur, the tree might develop a callus to protect the wound from pests and diseases. Prevent insects from hiding near the wound by cutting any loose or dead bark surrounding it. If you’ve never removed bark before, or if a callus doesn’t appear within the next few years, call a tree care specialist to help the tree recover. 

2. Winter Burn 

Winter burn occurs when the sun and wind dry out an evergreen tree’s leaves and needles. If the water in the roots and stems freezes, the loss of moisture can’t be replenished. 

The lack of water causes the leaves and needles to turn brown and die. Reduce the chance of winter burn by having an antitranspirant applied once in December and again in February. This product prevents moisture loss in leaves and needles.

In most cases, an affected tree will regain its health in a few years. Call a specialist to apply fertilizer and get rid of damaged stems. They can also apply mulch around the tree’s base to preserve moisture.

3. Frost Heaving

When it’s freezing outside, ice forms and expands in the ground and causes the soil to swell. This process, called frost heaving, can damage tree roots, making the tree weaker and more likely to fall.

Prevent this form of damage by having a professional add a layer of organic mulch to the ground before winter arrives. The substance will prevent frost from penetrating the tree’s roots. For additional protection, the professional might add a layer of compost to facilitate soil drainage. Proper drainage will help the tree warm up quickly when spring arrives.

Keep your trees healthy and strong during the winter with the help of T & L Tree and Landscape. Serving Monroe County, NY, these tree care experts offer a variety of services, such as pruning, shaping, planting, and removal. Available 24/7 for emergencies, they’ll help your trees survive the cold and snow of winter. Learn more about their offerings online, or call (585) 223-3190 for a free estimate.