Tree Service Flower Mound TX

 Tree care tips for the winter season

Winter can be harsh. 

On everyone and everything. For people and even for structures. So nothing is spared and you can only imagine the hardship that living things such as trees and other plant life have to endure during this cold season.

So how do you care for them in the cold and freezing season?

The following are some of the best tree care tips for the winter season that you can do:

Prune Season

Winter is the perfect time to prune your trees. It’s easy enough to see where the problem branches are if there are any. Follow these steps to prune the trees correctly:

  • Start by removing dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Any dying branches should go, too.
  • Choose the central leader.
  • Choose the lowest permanent branch. You’ll base your choice on the location of the tree as well as the purpose.
  • Choose temporary branches that are located below the lowest permanent branch. Remove the other branches or head them back.
  • Choose scaffold branches.

Keep in mind that the best time to prune trees is while they’re still young. This will help establish a good structure and also prevent damage in the future.

Mulch for Moisture and Warmth

Use organic mulch to cover the soil with a thin layer (about 3 to 5 inches). Make sure to start a few inches from the trunk’s base. Extend 2 or more feet from the tree in every direction. You’ll basically form a circle that’s around the tree. A volcano-shaped mulch distribution is not recommended at all. Do this in the late fall up to the early part of winter.

Protect From Freeze

Protecting your trees when the temperature drops and becomes freezing is an important part of tree care. Follow these steps to make sure you protect your trees properly:

  • All susceptible plants and trees need to be covered. Use things such as burlap, sheets, tarps, etc. These should extend to the ground in order to trap the accumulated warmth from the earth.
  • Moist soil is better at absorbing solar radiation than dry soil. It is also effective at re-radiating the heat in the night. 
  • If you have any potted trees and plants, then you better bring them to an area that offers better protection.

Remember that most tropical trees are not capable of surviving temperatures that are below 32 degrees. The same holds true for young trees.

Water On

You need to continue watering your trees when there is no rain in the winter months. Follow these tips on watering your trees during the winter:

  • Young trees need to be watered about once a week or once every two weeks. Each watering should use around 10 to 15 gallons of water.
  • More mature trees should be watered about once a month or once every other month. The formula for watering a mature tree is 10 to 15 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter.

Clear Snow

You need to clear the snow, especially from branches. If you allow them to accumulate, then it could lead to the branches of your tree breaking. 

How do you remove the snow from the branches? Do it by pushing off the limbs of the tree with an upward movement. 

It’s not advisable to break the ice off from the branches. What you should use is a garden hose that you connected to a hot water faucet.

These are some of the simplest and best tree care tips for the winter season. While simple, they’re also proven to be effective. Visit your nearest Tree Service Flower Mound TX Today.