Most plants, shrubs, and trees can bounce back from stress related to winter weather, but there are specific issues you can watch for that may lead to some branch and foliage damage. Here are a few tips on what to look for and what you can do to help your trees and shrubs look their best in the spring and summer.
Cold-Frost-Freeze Damage
Frost and freeze damage can take various forms, but one of the biggest challenges in the Akron and Cleveland area is extreme temperature changes. Warm daytime temps and sunshine can impact the bark on young trees, and even mature trees can be drawn from dormancy during unseasonably warm stretches. Ultimately when temps drop again, especially at night, the stress can cause shriveling of the bark, can damage premature buds and their branches, and even lead to delayed leaf development.
What you can do: If you have concerns about cold damage stunting the growth of your trees or shrubs, do not be tempted to fertilize too soon. Trees need to be able to withstand additional cold, and fertilizing will force new growth too soon and sap their energy. Simply ensure the soil around the tree is staying moist, water if necessary, and check that mulch is thick enough to hold moisture but not mounded around the tree trunk. Consult an expert in late winter to prune damage.
Winter Drought
Winter can be dryer than we think in Northeast Ohio. Meanwhile, frozen ground can make it hard for trees to absorb moisture to replenish what they lose. When temperatures fluctuate, water loss increases and is exacerbated with sunlight and wind, which create even dryer conditions. Young trees and evergreens are especially susceptible to drought, leading to brown leaves and dead branches in the spring.
What you can do: As mentioned above, water trees and shrubs on those warmer days if the ground seems to be dry, and add some mulch to thicken that protective blanket. For young trees, a screen or wrap of burlap, plastic, or wood can provide some protection from drying winter winds.
Sunscald
Northeast Ohio often experiences days and even weeks of unending cloudiness during mid and late winter months. We may welcome those rare days of bright sunshine but be aware they can cause sunscald to our trees. Even on cold days, bright sunlight will heat the bark of trees, opening up and activating the cells. When temps drop again, those tissues are killed by the cold, leading to deep cracks in the bark that can extend into the inner wood of the trunk and branches. Young trees are more susceptible than mature trees and may experience stunted growth.
What you can do: Ideally, young trees should be wrapped at the start of winter using burlap or specially designed tree wrap to protect from sunscald throughout the winter months. Remove in spring to allow bark to harden and grow. Continuing this practice through the first three years of life allows young trees to develop thick bark that protects the inner wood of the tree.
GP Tree can help with tree damage
Most trees and shrubs will recover from minor winter damage. If you notice damaged or dead limbs on your trees as the weather begins to warm, the experts at GP Tree Service are available for consultation and careful corrective pruning to give your trees the best chance to thrive.
Tree trimming should be left to the experts to ensure best growth opportunity. Keep the following in mind:
- Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) should be pruned in the winter, allowing wounds to heal while they are dormant. Call our team today to inspect your trees.
- Spring flowering trees form buds in the fall and should be trimmed after the blooms are spent.
- Evergreens rarely need trimming. Our experts can inspect and trim away evidence of winter drought damage.
- Always consult an expert for trimming of young trees to ensure proper shaping and avoid removing too much growth.
For questions about winter damage to your trees and shrubs, call GP Tree today!
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