Although trees go dormant during winter, you shouldn’t ignore the care they need. Professionals offering tree services in Oakville, CT, are here with winter tree care tips for homeowners. You can also hire experts for direct help with protecting trees during winter.
Pruning Removes Weak and Dead Branches
When you hire professionals to prune the trees before severe winter weather arrives, they’ll remove dead branches that could fall from ice or snow accumulation. When a heavy, dead branch falls, it might hit healthy branches on the way to the ground, damaging them.
With dead and diseased branches out of the tree, it will be ready for fresh canopy growth when spring arrives.Â
Adding Protective Layers Prevents Damage From Wildlife
Professionals may recommend adding layers over the bark to prevent damage from deer and other wildlife. If you live in a rural area or on an acreage, this is one of the most important winter tree care tips.
You should add a wrap made specifically to enhance bark health while protecting it from wildlife. Professionals can help you add the correct amount of wrap without damaging the bark.
Providing Water Before the Ground Freezes Is Helpful
Most species go into dormancy before winter arrives, meaning they won’t use as much water as they do during the warmer weather of the growing seasons. However, it’s still a good idea to water the soil around the trunk before winter arrives. As a result, the roots will have moisture available to them when the ground thaws in spring.
If you forget to water the trees before the ground freezes, you should not add water in the middle of winter. Once the ground freezes, the soil will not easily absorb the water. You could actually damage the shallow roots or bark on the base of the trunk by adding too much water to frozen ground.
Mulching Reduces the Chance of Soil Temperature Swings
Trees in winter can experience temperature extremes at the base of the trunk, near the soil line. Shallow roots may be damaged during extremely cold weather. One of the easiest winter tree care tips homeowners can follow is adding a layer of mulch.Â
Mulch helps the soil beneath maintain a more consistent temperature than bare soil exposed to the air. The ideal depth of mulch is two to four inches. However, it should not touch the trunk, as moisture held against it could damage the bark as it freezes and thaws.
Checking Cables and Braces for a Proper Fit
If you have trees with cables, anchors, and braces attached, check them for loose spots before winter starts. If the cables need adjusting, ask an arborist to visit the property and perform the work, ensuring it’s done safely. By doing this in winter, the arborist can prepare the cables to support anticipated growth in the upcoming spring season.
For Expert Winter Tree Care in Oakville, CT, Call the Experts at GM 2 Tree Services
To maximize the chances of tree survival in winter, following winter tree care tips from the professionals at GM 2 Tree Services is a good starting point. We offer a cold weather tree maintenance guide for homeowners to use, and we are also happy to manage the work for you.
Winter pruning and tree protection go hand in hand when a winter storm is on the way. This preemptive work can reduce the risk of the tree suffering breakage during an ice storm or from high winds in a blizzard. For a free cost estimate for any of our services, call GM 2 Tree Services today at (860) 940-5783.
