Winter Shrub and Tree Protection
Shrubs and bushes native to your area, have "learned" to survive the winters
in your area. If you live in colder, more northerly parts of the country,
those native plants have adapted over time to survive winter dormancy, as
it experiences harsh, cold, and snowy weather. In extreme weather, even hardy
plants may need some winter protection. For the many varieties of non-native,
trees, bushes and shrubs, winter protection may be a necessity for their
survival.
There are several problems that your shrubs may face in the winter dormancy
period. These conditions include:
- - Temperature Fluctuations, including low temperature extremes
Temperature fluctuations often occur any time of year. As winter nears, outdoor
plants begin to enter their dormancy period. Slowly falling temperatures,
makes this transition easier. On the other hand, wide temperature swings,
and especially sudden plunging and freezing temperatures (early in the transition
to dormancy), can be stressful and damaging to plants. Woody plants are the
most susceptible. Prolonged winter "warmups", can also be harmful to
plants, inducing them to emerge prematurely from winter dormancy.
Prevention & Protection: For sudden plunging temperatures, you can cover
your more sensitive plants. A plastic sheet or old blanket will do You
will likely only need to do this a couple times. Once shrubs and plants have
become acclimated to winter dormancy, all should be well.
- - Freeze and Frost Cracks
These cracks can occur as longitudinal cracks on the south or southwest
side of trees, when the temperatures go below 15 degrees. Cracks can be shallow
or deep, and may run form an inch or two, to several feet.
- - Plant Girdling - by rabbits, mice and other rodents
Hungry mice and rabbits commonly feed on the bark of trees and shrubs, especially
in late winter as food becomes scarce. Mice will chew on the bark below the
snow, while rabbits do damage above the snow line. If they chew completely
around the trunk, the bush or tree dies.
Prevention & Protection: Wrap a metal screen mesh around the trunk, from
the soil level up to several inches. Pull mulch away from the trunk. This
will help deter mice.
- - Root Damage
Shrub and tree roots can be damaged or killed (killing the plant) when the
ground freezes. Damage is common when the soil temperature goes below 15-20
degrees.
Prevention & Protection: Apply several inches of mulch on the ground
around your plants. For container plants, bring them indoors, mulch several
inches around and on top of the container, or bring them into a greenhouse,
where they can overwinter. If brought into a greenhouse (or unheated garage),
monitor temperatures of the structure, to assure the roots will not freeze.
- - Salt Damage
High concentrations of salt, is harmful to plants. Salt spray on the leaves
and branches can burn them. Salt contained in melting snow, enters the soil,
and goes into the plant's root system. High concentrations can kill the plants.
If your trees or shrubs are near road and sidewalks where salt is used for
de-icing, be vigilant for damage.
Heavy soils will retain salts more than loose soils.
Prevention & Protection: Set up a snow fence to block snow laden salt.
If a thaw occurs after heavy, extended periods of snow, use a garden hose
to rinse the salts off plants. In the spring, water heavily around plants,
to help to dilute and leach the salt out of the soil
- - Snow and Ice Breakage
Heavy snows and ice storms can be particularly brutal on trees and shrubs.
It is common for branches to bend and break. Evergreens, arborvitae, juniper
and yews are very prone to winter snow and ice damage.
Protection: To provide winter shrub protection for susceptible shrubs
and trees, use plastic netting to cover and protect trees.
Buy Shrub Guard netting bags and sheets
- - Spring Freezes
As spring arrives, plants leave the dormancy period. Sap flows up through
the stems and branches of trees and shrubs. Leaf and flower buds bulge,
and then begin to open. The later in the spring that a freeze occurs, the
more likely it is to do damage.
Prevention & Protection: For sudden, late spring freezes, you can cover
your more sensitive plants. A plastic sheet or old blanket will do You
will likely only need to do this a couple times.
- - Sunscald
Sunscald can damage tree trunks on the sunny, south and southwest side of
the tree. Sunscald occurs during winter dormancy, when a period of bright
sunlight follows a prolonged cloudy period. The temperature on the sunny
side of the tree is much warmer, and this de-acclimates this section of the
tree. A canker forms on the tree, as the bark warms and darkens, turning
reddish brown in color, and has a rough texture.
- - Winterburn on Evergreens
Winter sun and winds can dry out the needles(leaves) of evergreens,
scorching them. The tips of the needles turn downward and turn brown.
Prevention & Protection: Apply an anti-dessicant to the trees,
twice a winter.
Minimizing Winter Plant Damage:
-
Avoid late summer fertilizers, which can delay the plant from entering dormancy
.
-
Mulch around plants to help retain soil moisture, especially in dry soils
and areas that get little snow.
-
Mulch around plants in extremely cold areas, to help avoid roots freeze.
-
Select native trees and shrubs, which are used to winter weather conditions
in your area.
-
Use plastic netting or burlap bags to protect evergreens.
-
Apply anti-dessicants for evergreens.
More information:
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