Cold-Weather Tree Care: How to Protect and Prepare Your Trees for Winter

Late fall and winter may seem like a dormant time for trees, but it’s actually a period of the year when several tree care items can be taken care of. Performing a few simple tasks during the colder months can prevent damage, support growth, and ensure a healthy start for your landscape trees next spring. This checklist helps you care for your trees in late fall and winter and gives expert tips to keep them thriving year-round.

Inspect and Assess Your Trees

With leaves gone, winter is the ideal time to inspect your trees for broken branches, cracked branches, cracks between trunk unions, or rubbing branches. Snow, ice, and wind can cause damage that’s easier to spot without foliage. Look for any hazards such as dead limbs or structural weaknesses and address them promptly to prevent costly repairs later.

Prune for Structure and Safety

Winter is the prime season for structural pruning. Without leaves, you can clearly see the shape and structure of your trees to make precise cuts that foster strong growth and reduce storm damage risk. Remove dead, broken, or diseased branches to improve overall tree health and safety.

Clean Up the Base and Mulch Properly

Clear away fallen leaves, dead branches, and excessive mulch around the base of your trees. Mulch insulating the roots is beneficial, but it should not be piled against the trunk to avoid trunk rot. A 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch helps regulate soil temperature and moisture during winter.

Protect Young Trees and Prevent Wildlife Damage

Young trees are particularly vulnerable to animals like deer, rabbits, and rodents which may chew on bark or lower branches. Use trunk guards or fencing to protect trees – this is especially helpful for young trees. Removing guards in early spring prevents excess moisture on the trunk, sheltering locations for harmful insects and bark damage.

Watch for Salt and Soil Protection

De-icing salts from nearby sidewalks or driveways are harmful to trees by damaging roots and altering soil chemistry. Use tree-friendly alternatives or wrap trees and shrubs to protect them from salt spray.

Watering During Winter Dry Spells

Even dormant trees need moisture. During late fall or mild winters with little precipitation, give your trees a deep watering on warmer days when the soil is not frozen. Watering earlier in the day allows better absorption and protects roots from freezing stress – this is extra important for evergreen plants.

Fertilizing for Nutrient Support

Applying slow-release fertilizer in late fall or early winter replenishes soil nutrients lost through the year and helps trees build nutrient reserves in the root system for better spring growth. Tree roots will continue to grow as long as the ground is not frozen – and snow on the ground does not mean the ground underneath is frozen.

Excess Snow and Ice on Branches

Heavy snow can be gently removed from tree branches or shrubs with a broom. If there is ice buildup on your plants do not shake them, as the frozen branches and evergreen foliage may be brittle in cold temperatures. If ice-covered branches of trees are bent, prop them up until the ice melts.

Check for Cracks

Winter weather may cause cracks in branches or on the main trunks of trees. Check trees after significant storm events for broken/cracked tree branches, trunk cracks or splits in branch unions between tree trunks.

Oaks and Elm Trees

Oak trees and elm trees are susceptible to two deadly diseases that can be spread by insects during the growing season. Oak trees can contract oak wilt and elm trees can be infected with Dutch elm disease. For this reason, it’s best to avoid pruning these two species of trees during the growing season if at all possible. If you need to prune oak or elm trees, or notice broken branches on these two species, it is best to have them pruned during the dormant season.

Hazardous or Dead Trees

If the worst happens, and your tree incurs significant winter damage, it may need to be removed immediately. This is probably the time to contact a professional arborist as storm-damaged trees can be unpredictable when they are being removed.

When to Call a Professional Arborist

Winter is a perfect time for an ISA Certified Arborist’s inspection to assess tree health and recommend treatments or pruning. Professional care will help to maintain tree longevity and safety through Michigan’s difficult winter months.