--- title: This Is How to Protect Your Trees from Winter Weather description: While some plants mulch themselves so to speak, most need added protection. There are many ways that you can make your own mulch. Loose leaves, pine needles, & straw are three options. A mix of these can be helpful, too. They'll perform the job well & are simple to rake away come spring's birth. image: https://www.cartwrighttree.com/hubfs/Winter%20Protect.png --- # This Is How to Protect Your Trees from Winter Weather Nov 14, 2018 2:42:00 PM # This Is How to Protect Your Trees from Winter Weather ![Protect Your Trees from Winter Weather](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Winter%20Protect.png?width=560&name=Winter%20Protect.png) It's true. We all know it to be. Winter is on her way. In [this article](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/tree-talks/preventative-tree-maintenance-readying-your-trees-for-winter), we educated you about how to protect your trees from winter weather. Among the tips that we shared, we told you that it's helpful in preserving water for the tree to pack mulch around it's base. We want to guide you a little bit further here because there are differences to methods of mulching in the different seasons and climates. Let's take a look:  First, it is worth noting that by doing this properly you will allow the ground to remain frozen. It's vital that this happens because it will prevent any winter growth die back. In other words, it will keep the plants in dormancy and stop them form any short period of growth that could happen in a brief warm spell. The other benefit is that by mulching, the roots will be able to retain water and thus receive adequate quenching to their thirst, thereby surviving their sleeping period.  While some plants actually mulch themselves so to speak, most will need added protection. There are multiple things that you can add as your self-made mulch. Loose leaves, pine needles, and straw are three options. A mix of these can be helpful as they'll perform the job well and are relatively simple to rake away come spring's birth.  Should you need any more convincing, here are two huge ways to protect your trees from winter weather: - 1. The prevention of desiccation  - 2. The prevention of erosion ## Prevention of Desiccation Desiccation is what happens when something becomes extremely dry. It's also called 'wind burn.' We all know our own skin's tendency to lose moisture during this season. It's the same for trees. They also are susceptible. You can do a lot to help, though. By using burlap and canvas materials among others, you'll create protective barriers to this condition. The barriers serve specifically to prevent wind from drying the tree. Note that these require reapplication after any heavy precipitation or any inclement weather. Find specifics, [here](https://hort.uwex.edu/articles/winter-burn/).  ## Prevention of Erosion Your veggie pals are going to benefit most highly! Make sure that your mulch is completely covering the layer of soil below it. If your trees are on sloped ground or uneven footing, it will be most helpful for you to use a thicker mulch. This will help when winds threaten to move the layer of lighter mulch. If you want to find extensive information about that, you can visit [this website](https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Erosion_prevention_practices_-_natural_and_synthetic_mulches). ## That Covers the Basics This guide is aimed at helping you by protecting your trees from winter weather during the potential snowfall and definite cold weather in the next months! Feel free to share these tips with others in whatever manner you choose. We enjoy sharing our knowledge with you so that everybody can have healthier trees and our environment will benefit! Talk with you soon. If not before then, we'll connect with you in our next blog. Stay tuned!   [![Read About Preventative Tree Maintenance](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/507305/30cc5182-2a38-45ee-9de5-16da59119954.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/507305/30cc5182-2a38-45ee-9de5-16da59119954) [Tree Maintenance](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/topic/tree-maintenance), [preparing trees for winter](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/topic/preparing-trees-for-winter), [kansas city winter landscape](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/topic/kansas-city-winter-landscape), [cartwright tree care](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/topic/cartwright-tree-care), [winter tree care in kansas city](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/topic/winter-tree-care-in-kansas-city) ##### Like it? Share it: [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/this-is-how-to-protect-your-trees-from-winter-weather) [LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/this-is-how-to-protect-your-trees-from-winter-weather) [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/this-is-how-to-protect-your-trees-from-winter-weather) ### You may also like [It's Possible to Mulch Incorrectly ](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/possible-mulch-incorrectly) ##### [It's Possible to Mulch Incorrectly](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/possible-mulch-incorrectly) 23 May, 2014 After finishing your spring planting, you probably complete your seasonal yard maintenance by mulching flowerbeds, trees... 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[Read this article](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/dont-waste-mulch-caring-trees) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/dont-waste-mulch-caring-trees) [LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/dont-waste-mulch-caring-trees) [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/dont-waste-mulch-caring-trees) [How to Mulch Your Trees the Correct Way ](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/how-to-mulch-your-trees-the-correct-way) ##### [How to Mulch Your Trees the Correct Way](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/how-to-mulch-your-trees-the-correct-way) 23 April, 2013 Image via Pinterest [Read this article](https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/how-to-mulch-your-trees-the-correct-way) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/how-to-mulch-your-trees-the-correct-way) [LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/how-to-mulch-your-trees-the-correct-way) [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.cartwrighttree.com/blog/how-to-mulch-your-trees-the-correct-way)