Though trees are dormant during the winter, you still need to care for them to make certain they continue to thrive. There are five tips you can follow to ensure your trees remain healthy.
1. Lay Down Mulch to Keep Your trees Warm and Retain Moisture
Laying mulch around your trees provides insulation against cold temperatures. Many tree care experts refer to this layer of mulch as a winter blanket. Starting a few inches from the base of your trees’ trunks, lay between three to five inches of mulch. Extend this layer of mulch two or more feet from each trunk in all directions. The key is to make a circle around each tree. Laying down this layer of mulch will help your trees remain warm and retain the moisture needed for survival.
2. Water Your Trees When Rain Is Not Present
Sure, winter brings storms. Nevertheless, you want to water your trees when there is a lack of rain. To help them continue to grow strong, young trees will need to be watered more often than mature trees. Young trees need to be watered weekly or biweekly. Mature trees can be watered monthly or bimonthly.
3. Protect Your Trees Against Freezing Temperatures
When temperatures drop below freezing, this can cause damage to your most vulnerable trees. To protect your trees against freezing temperatures cover them with burlap cloths. Make sure the cloths reach the ground on all sides to trap in the warmth.
4. Prune Your Trees
Winter is the perfect time for pruning your trees because they are dormant. When trees are dormant, they do not undergo much stress. Contact a licensed tree care specialist to prune your trees so that the process is done correctly. Do not attempt to prune your trees on your own because you risk pruning them too drastically and damaging them.
5. Have Your trees Inspected
Finally, have a licensed tree care specialist inspect your trees. During the inspection, the tree care specialist will look for problems such as damage, disease, and pests. The arborist will also look for any hazards that may be present, such as entire trees or branches of trees that are at risk of falling. If the tree care specialist spots any problems, they’ll work with you to achieve solutions.
Winter does not have to mean damage or death for your trees. Following these five tips will ensure they remain healthy. If you are a resident of Charleston, SC or the surrounding area and want to get your trees ready for winter, reach out to us at Charleston Stump Stompers by calling today for a consultation.