The Season of Shivers
Brrrrrrrr! The 2022 Farmer's Almanac comes with a chilly prediction or warning..... "Prepare for a season of shivers" this winter brings frigid and frosty below-average temperatures across most of the United States and here in Kansas City this prediction deems to be true (so far)!
With the arctic blast bringing these bitterly cold temperatures we are all hunkered inside staying warm, but trees do not have the benefit of escaping the cold instead they enter a dormant state and reach their adapted tolerance by mid-winter.
Your ornamentals, bushes, and shrubs, on the other hand, need a little bit more love to help them through the frigid winter months.
Listed below are challenges written by Plant Me Green By Simpson Nurseries your trees might face during the winter months that can wreak havoc on your trees as well as a checklist on winterizing your trees and shrubs. When in doubt, call a professional like the ones at Cartwright Tree Care for all of your tree care needs
Extreme cold isn't the only challenge faced by woody plants; in fact, plants hardy to your region should endure normal winter temperatures just fine. However, winter can wreak havoc in other ways.
- Early cold spells can damage plant tissues that haven't had a chance to harden off for the winter.
- Dry winds and winter sun can dry out or "burn" conifer needles and broadleaf evergreen foliage, which continue to transpire (give off water vapor) during winter.
- Frozen soil means plants can't take up water to replace the moisture lost from evaporation and transpiration.
- Midwinter thaws can "fool" plants into breaking dormancy too early, and the tender new growth may be killed by the next cold snap.
- Alternating freeze/thaw cycles can heave new plants out of the ground, leaving roots exposed to drying wind and sun.
- Bright winter sun heats up dark tree bark, which can freeze and crack when temperatures drop quickly at sunset.
- Deer, mice, rabbits and other animals gnaw bark and browse leaves and twigs when other food becomes scarce during long, cold winters.
Although wet, heavy snow can damage branches, snow cover is usually good for plants. A layer of snow provides moisture and helps insulate the soil and roots from fluctuating temperatures.
CHECKLIST ON WINTERIZING TREES & SHRUBS
1. Remove visibly damaged deadwood. Try to make small pruning cuts that minimize the exposure of the central heartwood on the branch.
2. Prune branches that will touch the ground when loaded with rain and snow. Foliage and branches that are in contact with soil can invite undesirable pests and problems.
3. Remove damaged and declining twigs, branches, and bark. Do not leave food and shelter for pests during the winter.
4. Remove any sprouts or suckers growing at the tree base or along stems and branches. Pruning should conserve as many living branches as possible with only a few selective cuts.
5. Spread a thin layer of organic mulch to blanket the soil. Cover an area at least as large as the branch spread. Mulch is nature's way of recycling valuable materials but be careful of pests hitching a ride.
6. Properly wrap new trees that have not developed a corky bark and could be easily damaged. Injury from the environment, including chewing and rubbing by animals, must be prevented.
7. Aerate soil if it is compacted and poorly drained. It is critical not to damage tree roots in the soil. Saturated and dense soil can suffocate roots.
8. Watering may be needed where soils are cool but not frozen, and there has been little precipitation. Winter droughts need treatment with water the same as summer droughts, except it is much easier to over-water in winter.
