8 April 2018
 Categories: , Blog

If you have trees in your yard, you need to make sure they're ready for winter. You might not realize this, but trees can sustain some serious damage during the winter months. Unfortunately, some of the damage trees sustain during the winter can be impossible to recover from. The last thing you want is to lose your trees due to harsh winter weather. Here are four simple steps you should take to protect your trees from winter damage.

Prepare Them for Their Hibernation

Like some animals, trees hibernate during the winter. They usually begin their hibernation phase right around the time when they lose the last of their leaves. During the hibernation phase, trees are particularly susceptible to the cold weather. However, help prevent winter damage by preparing your trees for hibernation. First, cultivate the soil around your trees. Second, give them a deep watering. Third, give your trees an application of fertilizer. Finally, cover the soil around your trees with a thick layer of mulch. Your trees will now be ready for hibernation.

Make Sure Your Trees are Properly Braced

If you have young trees that still aren't quite ready to stand on their own, make sure you brace them properly before winter arrives. Bracing your trees will ensure that they're able to withstand the pressure of wind storms and heavy snow pack. If you're not sure how to properly brace your trees, be sure to contact your yard care specialist. They'll take care of the bracing for you.

Prune the Weakest Limbs to Prevent Injuries

If you live in an area of the country that experiences snow during the winter, you'll need to prune the weakest limbs off your trees. The reason you'll want to do that is to prevent injuries. Those weak limbs can bow under the pressure of a heavy snow pack. When that happens, the limbs can break and come crashing down. Not only can that pose a safety risk to you and your family, but it can also pose a risk to your trees. Trees can go into shock when limbs are broken off of them. Once a tree goes into shock, it can die. Prevent that by removing the weakest limbs before winter arrives.

Check Your Trees After Periods of Bad Weather

If you're like most people, you might forget about your trees during the winter. Unfortunately, that's the last thing you want to do, especially if you want to keep your trees healthy. To make sure your trees stay healthy, all winter long, be sure to inspect them at least once a month. You'll also need to check them after each period of bad weather. If you notice damage to your trees, you'll need to call a local arborist as soon as possible.