Winter weather can be rough on your trees. Established trees are a bit hardier because their roots are already sunk deep into the ground, but new plantings can easily succumb to the cold, posing a risk of damaging your home or property. The team at Chestnut Tree and Landscape in Harvard, MA, has put together some tips on how to protect your trees and your property over the winter months. Read on to learn more.

1. Protect the Roots

The roots of the trees do not go dormant as quickly as branches and buds, and moist soil holds more heat than dry soil. That is why keeping them covered is so important.

You should cover the roots of the tree with 3-4 inches of mulch, but be sure to keep it about 6 inches away from the trunk. This will also prevent frost by insulating the soil and maintaining more even temperatures. Additionally, you should check the soil around the base of the plant for cracks and fill them in with soil if they develop. 

Lastly, wrap burlap around the trunk and to prevent critters and pests from damaging and potentially killing your tree.

2. Prevent Limb Breakage

As the saying goes: the bigger they are, the harder they fall! New England is well known for severe winter storms. During a nor-easter, when heavy snow or freezing rain can accumulate, there poses a greater risk that a tree’s limbs may snap under the weight. 

You can protect your trees with winter tree protectors specially designed for this purpose, or you can tie a large piece of old burlap around the tree to protect it. This will also help prevent damage from rodents and deer. For much larger trees, you should inspect them for anything that needs to be pruned or that is weak and could break off during heavy snow or high winds.

If a storm brings one of your trees down, Chestnut Tree and Landscape is available 24/7 to assist you with extraction and removal, including emergency tree removal.

3. Trim Dead or Dying Branches 

Many trees go dormant during winter, and sometimes they may not survive if they did not store up enough energy in the warmer months to make it through. This could leave you with a tree that is carrying dead or dying branches that can pose a risk to your home and property.

A way to tell if your tree is dead is to:

  • Check the bark. If it is shedding but not being replaced by new bark, the tree is most likely dead.
  • Test a twig. A healthy tree’s branches will have a green, moist layer under the bark.
  • Look for leaf buds. Even in winter small leaf buds should be visible, if they are sparse or dried up, this is a sign of illness or death of the tree.

If you are concerned that your tree is posing a risk, don’t wait until disaster strikes, call the experts at Chestnut Tree and Landscape today to trim dangerous branches or provide emergency tree removal services.

A healthy tree is a safer tree. Guard your home against tree-related damage and schedule a consultation with a professional to help you minimize risk of costly repairs or clean up down the road. 

While preparing your trees for harsh weather decreases the chance of incident, there is always a possibility. We will work with your insurance company to resolve your emergency tree removal project. When Nor’easters, hurricanes, and storms bring trees down, Chestnut Tree and Landscape is available 24/7 to assist you.