Now that winter is embracing us more and more each day, it is time to put more thought into the well-being of your landscaping trees. There are several types of winter tree damage that can affect your own property if the proper precautions are not taken. Although proper winter tree care starts much earlier in the year, it is still not too late to implement some strategies that will keep your trees protected through the winter season. Then once spring comes, you can develop a new annual tree care plan that will enhance the quality and strength of your trees.
Continue reading to learn what you can do to help your trees survive the winter.
Even the hardiest trees can be susceptible to certain winter weather conditions. Some of the harshest inclement weather conditions Indiana landscapes are subjective to each year include snowfall, ice accumulation, hail, heavy winds, and cold temperatures. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to ensure your trees can withstand such inclement weather and climates, and enter their spring growth spurt with optimal energy.
Winter Tree Protection
In the winter, some of the most commonly-affected trees are young trees, newly planted trees, and sick or dying trees. The best method for protecting these kinds of trees is staking. Tree staking involves inserting a set of wooden or metal stakes in the ground alongside the tree’s trunk, and then attaching the tree to the stakes with tree-safe string or rope.
This setup provides stability in the midst of harsh winds and heavy snow accumulation. Even healthy and mature trees can benefit from winter tree staking. Larger trees, especially those that are sick or dead, must be cabled and braced, which is essentially the same concept, but with heavier hardware and materials. See our blog, “Should I Stake My Trees?” to learn more about this highly-recommended tree care practice.
Additional Tree Security Tips
Aside from bracing your trees for heavy winds and snow, you want to also insulate them against the cold winter temperatures. There are a few ways you can provide insulation for your trees. The easiest method is mulching. Always be sure your trees have enough mulch around their base to keep all that warmth and moisture underneath them. Furthermore, you can use burlap wrapping around the base of tree trunks to give an extra layer of insulation. This approach is generally reserved for young trees.
In the spring and fall, it is important to keep your landscaping trees properly pruned. Proper pruning will play an important role in how well your trees can withstand inclement weather come winter. Without proper pruning, trees experience branch overgrowth and over-development, which puts them at risk of breaking as a result of heavy snow and ice accumulation. By staying current on pruning, you can prevent branch and limb breakage.
Indianapolis Tree Services for Winter
Call Timberland Tree Care at 317-348-0811 to schedule your needed Indianapolis tree services for your residential or commercial property. We are licensed and experienced tree care contractors who offer a wide range of professional-level tree work at all scopes. Whether you need a stump removed, or an entire lot cleared, we are the pros to trust for quality work at the right price.
