Winter Protection: Wrapping Trees And Shrubs

As winter approaches in Almont, Michigan, it's time for homeowners to consider protecting any vulnerable trees or shrubs from harsh winter weather. Wrapping landscape plants for winter is helpful for maintaining the health and longevity of your landscape, especially for young or thin-barked trees and evergreen shrubs that could be susceptible to winter desiccation.

In Almont's winter climate, trees are susceptible to sunscald, a condition where bark tissue is damaged due to rapid temperature fluctuations. This is particularly common on sunny winter days when the bark warms up, only to quickly cool down again. To prevent this, wrap the trunks of vulnerable trees with light-colored plastic tree guards or commercial tree wrap. The light coloring of the trunk wrap will reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the tree trunks. For newly planted trees or those with thin bark, like maples, sycamores, and lindens, wrap the trunk from the base up to the lowest branches. This protection should be applied in the fall before the first frost arrives.

Evergreens require a different approach. If you have arborvitae or other evergreens that are weak, exposed to heavy wind, or newly planted, consider wrapping them with burlap. This not only protects against cold air but may also deter deer from feeding on them.

To wrap an evergreen with burlap:
1. Loosely wrap burlap around the entire tree, from the lowest branches to slightly above the highest part of the plant.
2. Secure the burlap with twine at the top, middle, and bottom

Remember to remove tree wraps in early spring to prevent insect infestations and allow for proper growth. By taking these precautions, you'll help ensure your trees and evergreen shrubs survive Almont's winter and thrive in the coming spring.