There’s no doubt that tree care is important. No matter the size and age of the trees on your property, proper maintenance is essential to keeping them healthy and strong for years to come.
But when it comes to caring for your landscape, the colder months can make things tricky. With freezing temperatures and potential snowfall, many species of trees are more vulnerable to damage. So how do you care for trees during the winter months? Keep reading to learn all about winter tree care in Oregon.
Get an early inspection
Inspections are a vital aspect of tree care. They can give you important information about your tree’s health and diagnose potential problems before they become hazardous.
Tree inspections can be beneficial any time of the year. But because many common tree species are more susceptible to damage in the winter months, it’s a good idea to get your tree inspection done well before the colder weather kicks in.
That way, you have time to get any recommended treatments or maintenance done to decrease your chance of bent or broken branches, frost cracks, and other winter-time damage.
Whether you’ve noticed signs that your trees need an inspection or you just want to be prepared, getting a tree check-up is one of the best ways to keep your trees healthy throughout the year.
Take time to prune
Regular care is essential for trees in Portland’s residential areas. Pruning the trees on your property leads to healthier, stronger, and more beautiful trees. It also helps protect your home and family from safety hazards due to falling branches.
Many homeowners prefer to prune their trees when the weather is warm. But summer pruning is actually one of the things you shouldn’t do to your trees if you want them to achieve optimal health, beauty, and longevity.
The best time to trim and prune trees is when they’re dormant – between winter and early spring (November to March). That’s because this is when they’re the least vulnerable to insects and disease.
At Oregon Tree Care, we never trim a tree unless it needs it, and we work to maximize every tree’s beauty and lifespan. Our professional trimming and pruning services help ensure your trees stay beautiful and strong for years to come.
Use mulch
Freezing temperatures can damage the roots of your trees. While trees in Portland benefit from a relatively mild climate compared to other parts of the country, tree roots are still susceptible to damage.
Winter mulching works to prevent the roots of your trees from becoming injured during the cold months. How? Installing mulch at the base of your trees traps warmth and moisture in the soil, which slows down the nighttime freezing and daytime thawing process.
By mulching during the winter, tree roots continue to grow. This helps strengthen your trees and give them the structural integrity they need to thrive.
Protect your vulnerable trees
Tree trunks go through a lot in the winter, from hungry animals gnawing on their bark to ice and snow creating cracks in their roots. Some of your trees may be in need of extra help to get through the season.
While older, larger trees are more resistant to damage, young trees are far more vulnerable to winter wear and tear. You can use physical barriers such as burlap, craft paper, or a dedicated tree wrap to minimize damage and keep your growing trees as healthy as possible.
Avoid using deicers near trees
During the winter, many homeowners use chemicals to melt snow and ice. While salt and deicing agents can help make walking and driving safer, these products should be used with extreme care and caution in the vicinity of trees.
Salt and chemical deicers can damage trees and other plants. These types of products dissolve when the snow melts, sinking down into the soil where tree roots can absorb them.
Here are some tips to keep your trees safe while using deicing products:
- Use chemical deicers sparingly, and only where you really need them.
- Limit the use of these products to hardscapes like driveways, walkways, and sidewalks.
- Use a more environmentally friendly deicer — magnesium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate are generally less toxic than other options.
- Avoid shoveling snow that contains deicing agents onto your lawn or plants.
- Consider placing barriers with plastic fencing to protect the soil around trees and delicate plants.
Need help with your winter tree care? We’ve got you covered!
Maintaining the health of your trees is one of the best ways to add beauty and value to your property, protect your family from environmental hazards, and get the most out of your Portland home.
At Oregon Tree Care, we offer tree maintenance and other services to homeowners throughout the greater Portland metro area. As experienced arborists, trees are our passion, and we’re committed to preserving the natural beauty of the PNW one tree at a time.
Call (503) 929-9437 or contact us online to get a free quote!