With old man winter well on his way throughout the Canadian regions, many homeowners and businesses are faced with the daunting task of protecting trees from frigid temperatures and damage from snow and ice.
The Havoc of Snow and Snow Removal
The kind of damage that can result from snow and icy cold temperatures varies. Evergreen needles, bark, and branches are prone to suffer damage from heavy snowfall that blankets a region. Branches can break; trees can topple. Salt spread to de-ice streets, sidewalks, and parking lots is especially harmful to plant life and landscapes.
A Bit of Advice
- Immediately remove snow from your property after each new snowfall. Do not shake branches full of snow as this may cause the branches to break. Instead, gently brush off heavy snow. If the snow freezes, it’s best to let it melt and avoid causing injury to the tree.
- Winter tree damage and injury can be avoided by securing a barrier of burlap on the tree’s south, southwest and windward sides. Leave the barrier’s top open, so it can breathe freely and be exposed to sunlight.
- Keeping your trees sufficiently hydrated to prepare them for winter is important. You can do this by watering the trees during their growing season and during the fall. Don’t overwater or underwater and continue watering straight into October until the landscape begins to freeze.
- If an evergreen has suffered injury during the winter, a good pruning of the injured foliage in mid-spring is advisable. Fertilizing injured trees and plants in the early spring, and watering them adequately during the warmer seasons will quicken the recovery and growing process.
- Generally, small trees can be wrapped together by tying strips of strong cloth or nylon stockings. Once spring arrives, the wrappings can be taken off to allow free movement of the stems.
While each tree has its own special needs and responds differently to winter snows and frost, do what you can before cold weather arrives.
If you need help from expert arborists in the Richmond Hill and Bradford areas, call Dave Lund and Tree Service. We’ll provide detailed and knowledgeable information on protecting your plant life — before that next winter snowstorm hits the area.