Winter storms, ice and quick temperature changes of winter months take their toll on trees across northern Illinois. Also for species belonging to colder areas this is a demanding time. This is specifically true for the subjected and isolated trees of the domestic landscape. Some of this stress is inevitable. As a home-owner, you have little control over the environment and the results it has on your trees. Nevertheless, there are points that you could do to decrease the damages created by the worries of winter months.
Cold Stress
Problem
Cold stress take on a number of forms. Initially, the effect is on your fully grown trees; the fast adjustment between daytime warmth and evening time freezing. These temperature level variants could result in stresses within the plant in between the external bark and internal lumber causing splits called frost splitting or southwest injury (the side getting the most wintertime sunshine).
What to do
In many scenarios, there is hardly anything that can be done to prevent frost splitting. Oftentimes, the tree has the ability to fix itself although the cracked area stays at risk and subsequent cracking at the same place can create significant damages. In the case of youthful plants and trees such as palms and other tropicals, you may consider covering the bark as part of the fall maintenance treatment. To additionally prevent winter months damage as well as to lessen moisture loss, an application of Wilt Pruf can be extremely valuable.
Winter Drought
Problem
At times during the winter, particularly for evergreens, drying out can be a genuine problem. Winter season drought happens when a plant sheds more water than it could absorb from icy ground and is especially severe during the early spring when the ground stays icy while the spring sunlight begins heating the rest of the tree. Windy conditions can also make it worse.
What to do
While there is no promised solution for wintertime drought, you could be able to regulate the issue by laying down a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree in late fall prior to wintertime’s beginning. The mulch could aid to reduce dampness loss and overflow while serving as a temperature buffer for the roots.
Breaking Branches
Problem
Branches are a lot more vulnerable to wreckage during the winter months. Specifically for deciduous trees, the lumber hardens and ends up being rather brittle and prone to wind damage. Then there is the issue of ice and snow buildup which has an effect on both deciduous trees and evergreens.
What to do
The main secret to decreasing branch breakage lies, once more, in fall plant maintenance, specifically trimming. Trimming fragile branches and cutting these weak branches, can make the entire plant less prone to winter branch breakage. An option for little trees and shrubs may be to cover the whole tree with a durable tent-like shelter. Larger evergreens, may benefit from utilizing cords to tie up and reinforce the branches.