For some people, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the winter months can be hard on trees. You might be surprised to find out the most common causes of damage to trees in the winter though. There is more than cold weather that can damage a tree during this coldest season of the year. Knowing the dangers of winter for your trees can help you hopefully prepare your trees better for the winter. Tree Craft Tree Service is here to share the different ways that your tree can be damaged during the winter.
Different Types of Winter Tree Damage
Winter damage to your trees can come in many forms. Here are some of the most common ways that your tree can sustain damage during the winter:
– Freezing Temperatures: There is no doubt that freezing cold temperatures can cause damage to your trees. This isn’t usually going to harm many trees though. Only those that can’t handle freezing temperatures will more than likely sustain damage from freezing temperatures.
– Temperature Fluctuations: By far, it is more damaging to your trees to experience sudden temperature fluctuations. If the weather all of a sudden takes a dive, it can lead to damage for trees that are usually dormant during the winter. Surprisingly enough, if the temperature increases all of a sudden it can cause damage as well. The biggest problem is usually sunscald.
– Frost: Sometimes, the frost that comes from freezing temperatures cause more damage to the tree than the temperature itself. Oak trees are the most often damaged by frost. The most significant damage caused by frost is cracking in the trunk. This leaves trees susceptible to diseases and pests.
– Winterburn: Sometimes, trees will experience something called Winterburn on their branches in the winter. If you have noticed that the tips of your tree’s branches has turned brown when it was once green, it is more than likely Winterburn.
– Heavy Snow & Ice: Severe storms can often leave behind heavy snow and even ice. If this is the case, many trees can’t support it. It will lead to portions of the tree breaking off. If you notice that there is a significant amount of snow on your tree’s branches, you might want to gently knock the snow off with a broomstick.
– Salt: The salt that is used to keep sidewalks and driveways clear, it can cause damage to your trees if the salt comes in contact with the tree or its roots. It can lead to discoloration and damage to the branches. It will also cause issues with the soil.
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If you are concerned about any of your trees and the winter season, you can turn to Tree Craft Tree Service to help prepare your trees for the cold temperatures. We know how to keep your trees safe during the winter season. While some damage is out of your hands, there is a lot of damage that can be avoided. Call us today!
