Do you have young trees that you planted this year, and are looking to ensure their survival this winter? By taking a few precautionary measures, your young trees will continue to grow and make it through the cold months. However, it is imperative you take on these measures in this first year they have been planted. Learn about the preparation tasks you will need to do this fall, why you need to wrap your young trees, and the importance of watering properly and providing young trees with the essential nutrients they need.
Tips for Preparation in the Fall
One of the first agenda items for your young trees is to mulch. Remove all existing mulch, as well as debris in the area. Next, ensure your mulch is of an organic source that will provide your tree with nutrients. This can include compost, pine needles, bark mulch, straw, or wood chips. You can talk to the experienced staff at American Arbor Care to find the solution best for your young tree. Two to four inches of mulch is needed, and it’s important to leave the circumference around the base open. If your tree has any small or dying branches, prune them, as ice and snow can weigh them down, causing them to break. Last, rake any leaves that have fallen and keep the area clear. Review the Colorado State University Extension’s care of recently planted trees for more care tips.
Wrapping
Winters are tough for plants and trees, especially to young, newly planted trees. Sun scalding can take place when the winter sun heats up the tree, but then later when there is cloud cover, a large temperature drop occurs. This can kill parts of the tree, making it difficult to survive the winter. The best way to avoid this is to wrap the trunk of your young trees. Wrapping them will keep them at a consistent temperature and reflect the sunlight. You should wrap the base of the tree in late fall before the winter temperatures set in. Do this for at least a couple years until the tree matures. You can work with our arborists to find the best material to wrap your young trees.
Watering and Nutrients
Ensuring your young trees have plenty of water before winter is key. If you are unsure of how much water your tree needs, monitor the soil to see if it is too damp, dry, or just right. Over or under watering can be detrimental. Generally a good rule of thumb is to slowly soak the roots to a depth of about 12 inches – a good ratop to remember is to use 5-10 gallons per diameter inch of the tree’s trunk. Next, make sure you fertilize the tree to help strengthen its roots. Apply the fertilizer into the soil and aerate the area by perforating the soil to allow air to flow throughout. Starting your deep root fertilization for landscaping in Denver will help keep your young trees healthy in the winter.
To help you ensure the health of your young trees this winter, American Arbor Care has a team of expert arborists to help. We will assess your situation and provide you with the materials needed. Call us today at 303-639-8584 to get started.