How to Care for Your New Trees Over Winter
Winter isn’t quite here yet, but the snow sure is. Remember last year? At the close of November 2010, just 1.5 inches of snow was recorded in Denver. Twice this season, we have faithfully shaken the heavy wet snow from our trees – especially the young ones. What else can be done for your young trees to ensure their success in the landscape?
Broken branches should be pruned at this time – the sooner the better. When pruning, use sharp hand pruners and saws. Make cuts close to the adjoining branch or stem. Take care not to leave a branch stub or make cuts flush against the trunk. Call Swingle if you have any questions about pruning or would like a Landscape Care Consultant™ to come out and provide you with a free on-site evaluation.
Some branches may have just bent in the recent snow storms. Branches will often correct themselves by next season. If you do need to tie up some branches, resist the urge to use metal wire and garden hose for the task. Wires, string, twine and alike can damage young tender twigs. Arm yourself with black plastic tie especially made for this purpose. Plastic tie may be found in many nurseries and garden centers. Tie up the branches loosely allowing the branches some movement.
Now is a good time to wrap the trunks of your newly planted trees while you are out tending to your landscape. In Colorado, wrapping the trunks of newly planted trees is beneficial in helping to prevent a condition called sunscald. Sunscald may be likened to sunburn and is brought on by warm winter temperatures, high solar irradiation and dry conditions. The result of trunk sunscald is damaged water conducting tissues beneath the tree bark, reduced vigor, and possibly dead branches. Wrapping the tree trunk moderates the tree bark surface temperature and increases wood moisture content. Wrapping is most beneficial for trees planted within the past two years. Appropriate tree wrap may be found in your favorite garden center. Always start from the bottom of the trunk working up. This way, water does not collect in the wrap. Continue to wrap all the way up and just past the lowest branch. The wrap should be removed around Easter – just when you are hiding those eggs for the little ones.
Once drier weather arrives, don’t forget your trees and shrubs will be thirsty. Water landscape plants once every 4 – 6 weeks in the absence of natural precipitation and snow cover. Swingle offers ReCharge™ supplemental watering program which is a mixture of water and YUCCAH™, a natural plant extract that provides needed moisture to the soil and enables your landscape to stay healthy and vibrant.
For more information visit:
For pruning: cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/614.pdf
For tree wrap: www.coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/sunscald.shtml
