It’s not hard to overlook our trees in winter. Once they lose their leaves and the snow starts flying, they can easily be forgotten. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when our trees are susceptible to injury.
Severe winter weather events create the biggest issues for trees and shrubs. And to make matters worse, these events are difficult to capture in long-range forecasts. So, to make sure you’re prepared, let’s take a look at some of the weather-related damage that trees may incur in winter.
Changing temperatures can cause snowfall to get stickier and heavier, which is not good for tree limbs. All of the weight from the snow can cause branches to bend and eventually break. This can lead to property damage and/or power outages. Your best defense is to use a broom to knock the snow off of the branches. Shaking the branches to get the snow off can do more harm than good.
Ironically, it’s typically when we’re nearing the end of the winter months when the danger really ramps up. One of the first things to worry about is extreme temperature changes when the winter-to-spring transition is in full gear. Rapid warmups increase dehardening followed by a sudden temperature drop. This is not only tough for trees to manage, but shrubs can also feel the effects of rapidly changing temperatures. Just be sure to include your shrubs in your tree care plan to ensure that they survive winter, too.
Winter winds can dry out evergreens and cause their needles to lose moisture. If you can’t water them as moisture is being drawn out from the trees living cells, it can result in permanent damage. The best way to prevent this is to water your trees and shrubs adequately in the fall. Mulching will insulate your soil and roots. This will protect them from severely cold weather. Or just get into the habit of planting only hardy species in areas of prolonged exposure,
Safari Tree offers a comprehensive 7-step tree and shrub healthcare program that’s designed for Michigan’s 4-season climate. For more information on how Safari Tree can help keep your trees and shrubs looking their best, contact us today.