Cold weather in Ontario means the leaves have fallen, and the trees are bare. Luckily, local tree experts say now is a great time to get outside to admire and ensure all your trees are healthy.
“Think of winterizing as preparation for spring,” says Ryan Stratham, district manager at the Strathroy Davey Tree office. “Some plants require extra protection from harsh conditions and salt.”
Stratham says the better you care for your landscape in the winter, the less you have to get it ready for the spring. Trees will emerge healthier and perform better when they awaken from dormancy. On the flip side, if plants enter winter stressed, their problems will only worsen.
Regardless of what weather lies ahead, play it safe, and keep your trees in pristine condition this winter with these tips.
Prep Trees for Winter with the Fall Five:
- Mulch, Hydrate and Feed. Mulching, watering and fertilization are important throughout the year, so head outside while you still have time to get your trees the nutrients they need for the long, wintry months. Stratham urges homeowners to add at least a 2-4-inch blanket of mulch over as much of the root zone as possible. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to help keep trees nourished all winter long. Come spring, your trees will be blooming and ready to show off. And don’t forget about giving newly planted trees one last deep watering.
- Dormant Pruning. Removing dead, diseased, or unsafe branches helps trees maintain a safe structure and tolerate high winds. Certified arborists specialize in knowing just what branches to remove (and how to do it) to reduce hazards. Well-maintained, properly pruned trees are less likely to break and cause damage in heavy wind, rain, and snow.
- Keep pests away. Apply dormant oil in the fall to stop insect larvae from developing further. While dormant oils eliminate harmful pests, they’re less toxic to beneficial bugs. In spring, you’ll have fewer bugs gnawing on fresh tree buds and fruit.
- Inspect. If you see a tree bending or drooping because of snow and ice accumulation, think twice before shaking the branches. Branches coated in ice can become quite brittle – shaking them can cause damage or breakage. Also, since trees are flexible, suddenly knocking the ice weight off may cause branches to snap back, potentially damaging the tree. Properly pruned tree should be able to withstand heavy snow and ice.
- Hold the Salt. Rock salt damage can make winter unpleasant for your trees. Salt runoff washes into the soil and can be taken up by the roots causing disfigured foliage, stunted growth, severe decline and even death. Applying the gypsum to trees, plants and lawns now will help reduce the damage from the get-go.
Follow these guidelines to help trees stand strong all winter. If your trees need help, contact your local arborist at https://www.daveytree.ca/about-davey-canada/contact-us/.
The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental solutions for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners across North America. With Canadian operations in Canada for almost 100 years, Davey is dedicated to creating and delivering sustainable solutions and is one of North America’s largest employee-owned companies. Discover your Davey career and apply today.
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