What Are the Common Causes of Winter Damage to Trees? | TreeNewal

WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF WINTER DAMAGE TO TREES? Winter can be tough on trees. In North Texas, our trees and shrubs are more accustomed to mild winters and harsh summers so that below-freezing temperatures can be tough on our landscaping. Although we don't get a lot of snow in DFW, we get some, and sometimes we get ice storms, which can be much more dreadful for trees. The cold, dry winds that whip across our properties can also be an issue for trees and shrubs. Below are some primary causes of winter damage to trees, followed by some winter tree care tips for how you can protect your trees and shrubs during the cold months.

Frost Damage, Sunscald, and Frost Crack At the point when temperatures drop below freezing, your trees experience stress. When there's the weather like we experienced in February, where temperatures stay below freezing for several days or change between freezing and hotter temperatures, that is a formula for frost damage or sunscald. Sunscald occurs when a plant freezes around evening time and is then exposed to hotter temperatures and direct sunlight during the day. The mix can damage a tree's bark or "burn" evergreen foliage that continues to transpire in winter. Although it's unlikely that sunscald will influence large, well-established trees, it could damage your shrubs or young

trees. Your tree may also develop frost cracks when temperatures vary. Frost cracks are vertical cracks in the trunk that ordinarily happen on the tree's sun-confronting side. Your trees and shrubs are likely to recapture their health after sunscald and frost crack, yet the wounds may still be visible. However, some Texas trees are not compatible with zero-degree weather, and they could be severely damaged or even killed by extended periods of below-freezing temperatures.

Weight of snow or ice on branches Another likely cause of tree damage is snow or ice, so you'll have to screen your trees during snowstorms, especially if you have conifer or evergreen trees or shrubs. You should tenderly brush the snow away on the off chance that the branches are bending under the snow's weight.

However, don't attempt to eliminate ice after an ice storm since that could cause more mischief than anything.

Winter dryness Do you know how your skin and lips get chapped in the winter? Trees and shrubs also experience that in their manner. The dry air and soil can leave your trees and shrubs feeling dry.

Some trees and shrubs, like evergreens, are more vulnerable to damage from dryness in winter.

It can result in Winterburn, which causes brown needles and could kill your tree if it's severe enough.

How would you be able to respond?

You can't successfully assist your broken trees with recovering winter damage afterward.

There's nothing left but to manage any broken or damaged branches and stand by until spring to assess the genuine degree of the mischief. The best method to protect your trees from cold weather is to be proactive. A healthy tree is less likely to crack or break during a winter storm, so the best method to ensure your tree's survival is to practice legitimate maintenance and tree care throughout the year. Prune your tree for optimal structural integrity, and ensure it can access enough water and nutrients for strength and vitality.

A standout amongst other proactive measures you can take with your trees is soil molding.

Trees are living organisms, and, like every single living thing, they need a healthy eating routine to flourish. Trees soak up nutrients from the soil through their roots, ensuring they have a healthy root system is also key to their success. TreeNewal has a maintenance program that can assist you in this space. We use a unique soil health blend that we enthusiastically prescribe to every one of our customers. It's a characteristic plant development stimulator designed to boost your tree's ability to absorb nutrients and develop a deeper, stronger root

system, bark, and canopy. With this blend, your trees will be significantly more ready to handle stressors like freezing temperatures, dry spells, disease, and pests.

To protect your trees and shrubs from tree root damage, you should ensure they have a fresh layer of mulch before winter weather strikes. Mulch acts as a protective blanket over your tree's roots, keeping moisture and warmth in the soil. Just try to use appropriate mulching techniques.

You would prefer not to over mulch as that can cause a host of other issues. Put down a mulch layer around two to four inches thick and keep the mulch a couple of inches from the tree's trunk.

You should consider covering them during days or nights when temperatures plunge below freezing on the off chance that you have small trees or shrubs. Drape a protective material over them to permit the plants to conserve the warmth coming up from the soil. Ensure the cover is large enough to arrive at the ground, and use stakes or rocks to keep the material secured to the ground. You should try not to use heavy plastics. Preferably, it might be ideal on the off chance that you used something breathable that allows moisture to ventilate, like burlap or a sheet. On the other hand, you can use cardboard boxes, tubs, or trash cans.

What to do on the off chance that you think your tree is dying or dead Since deciduous trees lose their leaves during the winter, it very well may be hard to discern whether your tree is damaged, dying, or dead. Often you will not have a clue about the real state of things until spring. On the off chance that you figure you may have dying or dead trees or shrubs on your property, here are some things you can do during the winter to check the health of your plants: First, check the outside of your tree or shrub for signs of life. Dormant trees will still have tiny leaf buds, which means that your tree is alive and planning to leaf out in the spring. It might be ideal if you also searched for any signs of sickness. Are there open wounds, for instance, a damaged tree trunk? Is there fungus developing on the branches? If you notice signs on the outside of your tree or shrub that give you worry about its health, you can go somewhat deeper with the twig test.

For the twig test, break off a small branch with your fingernail or knife. On the off chance that it's weak and snaps quickly, there's a possibility your tree or shrub could be dead or dying. Check other parts because it very well, maybe just one branch or section that is dead. For a tree or shrub that is alive, the bark layer should be green and somewhat moist. On the off chance that you figure your tree may be damaged, dying, or dead, call a professional tree care provider for a complete tree health analysis.

TreeNewal's ISA Certified Arborists can help.

If you have questions about focusing on your trees and shrubs previously or after a winter storm, contact our tree care experts. Our ISA Certified Arborists are accessible to visit your property to make an assessment and recommendation. Past our winter tree care services, we also offer tree services such as tree nutrition, tree pruning, tree trimming and removal, root aeration and air-spading, insect and disease management, and more. For more data, visit our website at treenewal.com, or call us to schedule an arrangement.