PROTECTING TREES FROM WINTER FREEZE

Winter is another harsh climatic condition in some parts of the globe, as well protecting ourselves and property, we need to make sure to care for our trees and plants. 

Extreme temperatures below 32 degrees sustained over some period of time are cold enough to freeze your trees' buds/blossoms, fruits, leaves and/or twigs. Trees most likely to be damaged by freeze include Citrus, Jacaranda, Catalpa, Oleander, Eugenia and other tropical/subtropical plants.

These two actions are most important before harsh winter: 

1. Protect your trees and plants by covering them with burlap, sheets, tarps, etc., that extend to the ground to trap in the earth’s accumulated warmth. Use a frame or stakes to minimize contact between the cover and the foliage.
2. Keep plants well-watered.  

How to plan ahead when expecting extreme cold weather: 

• Remove turf/weeds from under trees’ canopies since bare soil absorbs and reflects heat best. Wood chip mulch prevents soil moisture loss and insulates roots.
• Plant frost-sensitive plants near sources of reflective heat (like buildings, walls, etc).

How to help trees recover after freeze: 

• Do not prune anything off immediately. Wait to see what sprouts in the spring; the damage is often not nearly as bad as it initially looks, and new growth may come out of tissue that you thought was dead.
• If the effects are severe enough and your tree has lost “shade,” protect the now-unshaded portions of the trunk/branches from the sun, with a physical cover or with whitewash (1:1 ratio of latex paint and water).
• Remove frosted/mushy fruit while still salvageable, for snacking on or juicing.

PROTECTING NEW TREES

Planting trees is a major solution to combat deforestation. Anyone can plant trees, however trees just like any living organism needs love and care for it to grow and provide us with the infinite benefits.

In this chapter we will focus on taking care of new trees. Trees need to be protected from strong winds, snow, heat and sun, pests, among others. 

WIND PROTECTION

Depending on the type of tree, you may need to protect it during its first two years if it it sited in an open area exposed to prevailing winds. 

If it has a heavy or small canopy, loose rootball or has a large or bare root, newly plated tree may need temporary skating (support plant with stakes). If it seems to be necessary stake trees loosely and for only 6 months to a year. Tree trunk thicken and strengthen faster when they can move freely. 

An alternative to staking is screening. Fasten a length of burlap, snow fencing or commercial garden fabric such as shade cloth to post on the windy side of the tree about 6 feet from the trunk to divert strong wind yet allow air circulation around exposed trees, especially evergreens. 

HEAT AND SUN PROTECTION THROUGH SUMMER

Tree protectors, or tree tubes around each and every seedling helps in protecting them from day 1. They accelerate growth and protect your plants from animals and other plant destroying critters. Make sure to keep enough spacing between the tubes. 

Aggressive weeds, including grasses, will rob your seedlings of necessary moisture and nutrients. You can provide mechanical control with a hoes or weed eater, or chemical control with a contact herbicide. Keep at least a 3-feet radius weed free around your plants. 

Mulch shades the ground around your precious seedlings keeping the soil cool. It also suppresses thirsty weeds and traps moisture that would otherwise evaporate. Natural mulches such as bark, straw or leaves work well and break down into soil-building organic matter. In extremely dry areas, fabric weed mats work well to trap and hold moisture around the roots. 

Like humans, plants need a quality food source to stay healthy and reach their full potential. Proper fertilization encourages a strong root system that is more capable of utilizing available soil moisture than an underfed root system. Consider using manure-based organic fertilizers instead of traditional chemical fertilizers. 

SOIL PROTECTION

The health and longevity of all trees, but especially newly planted ones, is improved if the soil they grow in is improved. Mulching is an effective way to achieve that. However, make sure not to pile the mulch against the trunk. In the winter mulch insulates the soil against extreme temperature fluctuations that sometimes disturb tree roots and heave those of newly planted small trees out of the soil. Also make sure to replace depleted mulch regularly. 

PROTECTION FROM PEST

The tender bark of young trees is often damaged by critters. Both deer and rodents, such as mice, chew on it during the winter when other food sources are scarce. Deer also rub against young trees, abrading their bark.

Surround the thin trunks of newly planted trees with a tree shelter product. These tough covers fit loosely around whips and saplings as a barrier to protect the tree bark. Check periodically to make sure that trunk guards are not too tight. 

We appreciate all the feedback we received regarding this topic. Here is an amazing one share on our Twitter account: 

Soil, Water & Environmental Conservation Foundation - 

The easy way .if you have unity with communities members is easy because they will be watering them .that is when you have large number of trees planted.if few trees planted to manage them is easy by watering them during sunny days until the rains comes back.