Winterize Your Trees & Shrubs with Burlap
When last spring arrived, did you notice that your landscape plants had suffered from the previous winter's weather? This coming winter is supposed to be quite cold as well, according to the Farmer's Almanac. However, you need not worry. There are some things that you can do to get your plants ready for the weather.
Very cold temperatures are not the only threat to woody plants. If your landscape plants are rated hardy for your area of the country, they should be able to withstand the temperatures during the winter season. But, there are other ways that winter can affect your plants.
Common Problems Caused by Winter Weather
1. Plants contain tissues that must become acclimated to the temperature. If they haven’t, an early cold spell can cause damage to that tissue.
2. When soil becomes frozen, your trees and shrubs can’t soak up water.
3. Winter winds are dry, and this, along with the sun, can damage broadleaf and needle-shaped evergreen foliage. Burlap can help to protect your landscape plants against the winter winds and sun, animals, and salt spray from passing vehicles.
4. If the winter temperatures rise and everything begins to thaw, plants may come out of dormancy too soon. New leaves will start to grow, and they will die when it becomes cold again.
5. Not only does the freezing and thawing cause plants to think it is time for new growth, but it can cause the plants to rise up out of the soil, and roots will be unprotected from the sun and winds that can cause them to dry out.
6. Trees with dark bark can become damaged by the winter sun. The bark may freeze and when the temperatures become colder after the sun goes down, they can crack.
7. Wildlife, such as deer or rabbits, may turn to the leaves, bark, and branches of your plants when they cannot find other food during the winter.
Damage can occur to branches from a wet and heavy snow, but it generally helps plants. The snow gives plants the moisture needed as well as aiding in insulating roots and soil when the temperatures rise and fall.
How to Safeguard Shrubs and Trees
There are a variety of trees and shrubs that shed their leaves in the fall of the year. They are deciduous. These trees and shrubs go dormant because they have adapted to the cold temperatures in the winter. Some shrubs and trees do not need protection in the winter, especially if they are rated hardy to the zone where you live.
Here are some tips on how to care for trees and shrubs that have been planted recently.
- Thoroughly watering trees that have been recently planted right up until the first freeze of the year protects roots that have not yet become established.
- When the ground freezes, provide insulation for your plants by putting about three or four inches of mulch around the bottom of them. Do not put it against the trunks of trees, since this can cause rodents to gnaw on the trunk or it may begin to rot.
- Young trees can be protected by a wire or plastic tree guard to prevent rodents and other wildlife from chewing on the bark. This is particularly helpful for fruit trees.
- Another problem experienced by young trees is sun scald. A solution for this is to wrap burlap around the trunk or put a coat of white paint on the south side it. The paint should be diluted, and latex is the best choice.
Burlap is available at many nurseries. This is also a way to keep the bark from developing frost cracks. This happens when the bark is heated by the sun in the day and quickly cools when the temperature drop at night.
Contact NYP Corp or view Treated and Plan Burlap!