Damage From Temperature Fluctuations
Damage to trees does happen in sub-zero climates, but what’s much more likely to cause harm are fluctuations in temperature that occur during the coldest months. Much plant life is able to tolerate the winter as long as the mercury falls slowly, in small increments. A sudden drop in temperature that freezes dormant plants can shock them and cause harm. A winter with long periods of mild weather can be extremely stressful for some plants if they don’t acclimatize well, and when the frost hits suddenly it hits them hard.
Prevention Tips: Obviously we have no control over the weather, but one preventative action we can take is to cover plants before harsh winter nights arrive. In some cases, burlap wrapping and other measures may be enough to protect them. Another measure you can try is to put the plants you’re most worried about in the sunniest spots in the garden, and (once you’re convinced there are no insects living in the soil) bring potted plants inside the house for the season.
Some people abide by the philosophy that all plants should be wrapped in winter to protect them frJames Donovan
om damage. This is something to should research and make a decision about once you have all the information.
Damage from Extreme Cold
Plant life sometimes suffers from extremely low temperatures, but the likelihood that this will happen depends on how healthy plants are when the temperatures drop, and how they fare in northern climates. Flower buds are vulnerable, as well as plants that aren’t as strong in upper regions. In general, though, the severe cold is less damaging to plant life than constant or extreme fluctuations in temperature.
When temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, frost can form and cause long, deep frost cracks on trees. This damage is usually found on the south or southwest section of the tree, because that portion is affected most by up and down fluctuations in the temperature between day and night. A frost crack won’t kill a tree, but once it has developed it will tend to appear every year.
There are some trees that are more prone to the cracks than others. These include:
- London plane
- Oak
- Norway
- Red maple
- Horse chestnut
- Crabapple
- Walnut,
- Linden
- Willow
Although temperatures of 15F may not kill most trees immediately, if soil temperatures get down that low the roots will likely not survive. That said, the soil rarely gets that cold. Snow, mulch, and/or leaves insulate soil and the temperature below ground seldom falls below zero.
Prevention Tips: As mentioned above, consider covering or wrapping plants for the winter. To insulate plant roots from the extreme cold and keep the moisture, put down some mulch. Another idea is to put burlap screens around evergreen trees so they won’t be as impacted by wind and salt/ice melt. Wrapping the trees in fabric or plastic tree wrap is another possibility. Another good preventative measure is to spray trees with anti-desiccants before the winter so they’re safer from the cold.
Damage from Snow and Ice Storms
In Canada we sometimes get snowstorms, and, occasionally, ice storms. These weather events will likely happen sporadically throughout the winter months. These types of storms are treacherous for both trees and plants. Snow can be quite heavy when it falls in large amounts. The weight of snow has been known to bend trees and break off branches and other parts of trees. The arbors that are most at risk are multi-stemmed evergreens (like yews, arborvitae, and junipers) because they are so light and flexible. Hardwoods (e.g. Siberian elm, maples, birch) are at risk of having their branches break after a snowstorm.
In some cases the damage to a tree may be severe, and you’ll have to decide whether to keep it or have it removed.
Prevention Tips: After a storm, remove snow from the branches in an extremely gentle fashion well before it hardens and becomes ice. The parts of the tree that are already covered in ice should be left alone, otherwise you may further damage the tree.
Since evergreens incur the most damage in winter, it’s a good idea to tie limbs together loosely with a piece of cloth right before winter and remove it in the spring.
Damage from Salt
A number of Canadians in metropolitan areas rely on salt to melt ice on sidewalks, roads, and other areas. The big problem with this type of ice melt is that the salt does damage to nature. It hurts trees, bushes, flowers, and harms our water resources. Much salt distribution takes place by air, resulting in salt being dropped on areas that have high amounts of plant life. When the salt is distributed this way, it infiltrates the soil, branches, and roots of the plants.
When springtime arrives, there will already be evidence of salt damage on trees in the form of evergreens browning, scorched leaves, branches dying, and dead areas in turf. If you use ice melt around your property, consider using a vegetable-based, eco-friendly type that doesn’t harm plant life — or spread sand or kitty litter to increase traction for passersby.
Prevention Tips: The best thing to do is to plant hearty, salt-resistant species that will be able to withstand these conditions. Evergreen trees can be covered by a burlap screen that will help protect them from having salt spray on their branches and needles. Ensure that soil is well-drained, because poorly-drained soil is the victim of a lot of salt damage.
Damage from Animals
In the winter, trees can also be at risk for damage from animals. When there’s snow on the ground, certain animals have difficulty finding food. They chew on tree bark as an alternative. These species include mostly mice and rabbits.
Prevention Tips: There are spray products available that repel animals with their odour, but in wet winter weather they aren’t very reliable. If you do use one of these sprays, apply it in an area two feet away from the base of the tree, free from grass and weeds. The best way to get rid of mice and rabbits is to erect screen wire around the branches and trunks of trees. Start below the ground line and go up to above the snow line.
This guide to protecting your winter garden can help keep the outdoor plant life from incurring too much damage this winter. Good luck!
At Dave Lund Tree Service & Forestry Co. Ltd., we are available to assist you with all of your tree-related needs. Have a look at our services have and call us. For help with trees in Richmond Hill, give us a call at (905) 884-0511 or 1(800) 633- 0511. If your residence is in Bradford, call us at (905) 775-1020. We look forward to hearing from you.