While many people enjoy tending to their gardens during the warmer months, it’s easy to lock your back door and forget about this vital space during cold weather. However, when you plant new trees and bushes, caring for them during the winter maintains their health and ensures they survive future seasons.
While most trees are dormant during this time, it can still be stressful for some species, especially if the tree is young or in exposed locations. Sudden temperature changes, limited daylight hours, soil freeze-thaw cycles and other harsh elements can have an effect on tree health.
Here are our top tips for saving young trees and bushes in the winter.
What are the signs of young trees and bushes struggling?
Winter is one of the toughest seasons for young trees and bushes, so it’s important to identify where they need extra care and attention. Recognising when a young tree is struggling is key, looking for concerns like leaf discolouration, dead branches and twigs, frost damage, a lack of healthy buds forming, split bark, persistent wilting and delayed growth.
Ask a professional tree surgeon to take a look if you think there’s an issue. If a problem is identified, you may be able to address it before extremely icy temperatures and snow arrive, which could cause young trees to die without some emergency care.
How can you protect young trees in the winter?
Newly planted or young trees are particularly vulnerable in the winter months, so you should continue caring for them. For example, during dry spells (when there’s a lack of moisture in the air) or before icy conditions arrive, you may need to keep watering them to ensure their roots remain healthy. Some additional support can also help roots anchor properly and prevent wind damage.
Spread a layer of mulch around the base of your garden trees to protect their roots, avoiding the immediate area around the tree trunk. The mulch will provide insulation for the ground, helping to keep vital nutrients in the soil. Some people also use protective burlap wraps to shield young trees against harsh winds.
A professional tree surgeon can advise about the best times of year to prune young trees and bushes to maintain their health.
Can storm damaged trees be saved?
Storm damage is one of the main reasons for emergency tree surgery, especially if there are immediate safety concerns. This is the case if a tree has fallen, is blocking a road or branches look like they may break off, which could become a hazard for anyone nearby or homes located close to the tree in question.
In the winter, always check your trees after harsh weather conditions and storms to ensure they haven’t become a danger to others. If you want to avoid tree felling, an arborist may be able to save the tree by removing broken or damaged branches before they cause further concerns.
Get winter tree surgery services
Do you need an expert tree surgeon near South West London and Surrey? Call the team at DH Tree Services. We provide all types of tree care, coming out to Abinger, Billingshurst and surrounding areas.
For a free quote and expert advice, contact us.
