A hard winter can even damage trees that thrive in cold climates. As a property owner, it’s up to you to try to find and repair whatever damage winter has done to your trees. Here are some signs to look for and how you can clean up after.
Sunscald
Sunscald happens during a warm day in winter. The warmth stimulates cells on the side of the tree that faces the sun. When the sun sets and the cold returns, the cells die. Sunscald most often strikes saplings. The bark becomes discolored, starts to peel and is vulnerable to pests and diseases. The way to mitigate sunscald is before it strikes. Wrap or have your arborist wrap the entire tree trunk, including the crown, in light-colored cloth during the cold season. Some people keep their saplings wrapped even in spring.
Frost Cracks
The cold of winter can cause tree bark to contract and expand, and if the tree is vulnerable, its bark can develop vertical frost cracks on the sunny side of the tree. The good news is that frost cracks often heal by themselves, even on young trees. Keep an eye on these trees, and make sure they’re given proper care throughout the rest of the year.
Broken Branches
Ice storms are notorious for being able to break even the strongest branches. Snow is less of a threat, but too much snow can also cause branches to bend or break. If the branches of your tree are bowing beneath a weight of snow, you can gently brush it off with a broom. Don’t try this with ice, however, since ice clings to the branch. Trying to remove it may snap the branch off. If branches are broken, prune them judiciously in earliest spring.
Salt Damage
Though people try to be careful when they salt roads and driveways to melt ice, the salt can still find its way to your trees and damage them. The salt can burn the roots and even burn the leaves if there’s a salt spray from a passing car. Evergreen needles look scorched, and leaves on deciduous trees look stunted when they finally come in. You or your arborist will need to flood the ground with water after it thaws in spring. This helps wash the salt away. Avoid using salt near plants that can’t tolerate salt. If you need to melt ice, use alternative products such as calcium magnesium acetate (CMA).
Dehydration
Dehydration happens when temperatures drop so low that the ground beneath your trees freezes and prevents them from getting the moisture they need. A freezing wind can do the same thing. Spray the trees, especially your evergreens, with an anti-desiccant before the really cold weather sets in. This helps the tree hold on to moisture. You should also water deeply as spring approaches.
Call Urban Tree Management this spring for all of your winter storm cleanup needs in Woodside, CA.
