When it's time to winterize your property, don't forget about your trees. Many homeowners need a helping hand from a professional tree service company to get their landscaping through the harsh winter months. However, you can still take some steps to ensure they endure the freezing temperatures the season brings.

How Do You Get Trees Ready for Winter?

1. Wrap the Trunk

When areas of sunken, cracked, or dried bark that were heated by the sun are suddenly cooled, the cells beneath these spots get injured. To prevent sunscald, wrap the trunk from top to bottom with a white commercial product up to the first branches. Leave the item on until the last frost in the spring, as it will keep the internal temperature consistent. When wrapping, avoid using brown paper or black products because they absorb heat.

2. Mulch Around the Base

When trees go dormant, they carry less moisture to prevent freezing. However, the roots remain active throughout the season, making it necessary to stay warm. Cold weather can damage this system by freezing the water inside them, harming the plant tissues. Because soil naturally cools down slower than air temperatures, it needs reinforcement. 

Have your local tree service add three to four inches of wood mulch around the base to prevent root injury. The mulch acts as a blanket of insulation for the roots, keeping them warmer and giving them more time to adjust to the weather. They should also leave about six inches of open space between the trunk and the mulch, preventing the tree from decaying.

3. Reinforce the Weak

Snow and ice can bend, split, or break branches. These winter conditions can cause trees to uproot—especially if they have a shallow root system or are structurally weakened, such as having more than one main stem. Because of the substantial weight of snow and ice, they will not withstand as much buildup as stronger, sturdier ones.

Saplings can be staked to provide more support during the extreme winter months. You can use a rope or bungee cord to tie up the branches, preventing the units from splaying out and catching as much snow. Hire a professional to help reinforce larger trees, those that are already damaged, or ones with shallow roots. They will cable or brace the plants properly to prevent breakage or uprooting.

If you need help protecting your trees for the winter, call the experts at Greatland Tree Service in Anchorage, AK. Since 1999, this licensed, bonded, and insured business has helped residential and commercial clients statewide with its tree services, including stump grinding, tree removal, and landscaping. Call them today at (907) 336-8733 to request a quote, and visit their website to learn more about they can take care of your trees.