Preparing Your Trees For winter



One of the best ways of preparing your trees-and your garden-for winter is to choose species that cope well with the types of weather you typically experience. If you live in a particularly cold area, choose tree species that can cope with that weather. Whether or not your trees are well suited for your climate, preparation before winter sets in will help them stay healthy over the cold months.
Treat any damage caused to your trees promptly, well before winter sets in. If your trees are healthy before the weather gets colder they'll have a much better chance of withstanding extreme temperatures.

In the fall, apply fertilizer that promotes root growth rather than leaf growth, even if your trees are evergreens. At this point they will not be putting forth new growth until the spring, and will depend more heavily on a healthy root system for food over the winter as well as for new spring growth.

Water trees well in the fall, particularly if your area is prone to winter drought. The area of ground beneath the branches of the tree should be soaked thoroughly before the ground freezes.

Lay at least five inches of mulch around the base of trees to prevent moisture loss and limit temperature fluctuation.

Pruning
Pruning should be done to keep your trees healthy, and to remove any branches that may cause damage to your home, power lines or other structures if they should break during a storm. Avoid pruning until you are positive that the tree has become dormant, as pruning too early may encourage new growth that will be particularly vulnerable during the winter.

Snow and Ice Damage



Fast-growing trees such as silver maples, willows and birches have brittle wood that is vulnerable to ice damage and stress caused by extreme temperatures. Extreme variations in temperature can cause the wood layer beneath bark to crack. While there is little that can be done to prevent this type of damage occurring, young trees can be wrapped to help provide some protection from temperature extremes.

If you live in an area where ice storms or heavy snowfalls are common, the lower branches of trees can be propped up with supports to prevent breakage caused by the weight of snow and ice. Heavy falls of snow can be brushed off lower branches with a stiff-bristled broom, however thick layers of ice should not be removed, as this may cause breakage.