Protecting your trees
Trees are a big investment and giving them a little TLC during the winter is needed to help them stay healthy -especially for young or thin-barked trees.
Our bright, sunny winter days can sometimes mimic the warm days of spring.Then, as the temperatures drop at night, the warmed water and nutrients in the tree will freeze, burst and cause the bark to split. This is called sunscald or southwest injury and not only damages the plant tissues, but invites pests and disease.
It's recommended to wrap tree trunks with a light colored, crepe-paper type tree wrap for the winter. Start at the base of the trunk and work up to the base of the branches. Plastic type products are not tree wrap and should be removed as they can trap ice and moisture next to the trunk. Remove this winter blanket in the spring, after the last frost. Also, remember to mulch at least annually to keep those roots protected.