Trees become dormant in cold weather, but that doesn't mean you should skip your tree care regimen. Winter can cover these plants with heavy snow and ice, and freezing temperatures can cause stress to their leaves and bark. To ensure your trees are ready for spring, learn more about how they often sustain damage when temperatures drop.

What Are Some Common Types of Winter Tree Injury?

1. Temperature Changes

When temperatures drop below freezing, trees can experience sunscald and frost cracking. Sunscald happens when temperature fluctuations injure living cells below a tree's outer bark. The sun can warm and awaken these cells, only for them to become damaged when the temperature falls at night. This causes the bark to darken and crack before falling away. Additionally, frost cracks can occur from sudden temperature changes, forming vertical breaks in the bark.

2. Broken Limbs

Snow and ice put extra weight on trees and cause limbs to break. This is why tree pruning is necessary before winter to prevent weak or already damaged limbs from breaking. However, if you're just now noticing bent limbs in the winter, wait until the snow and ice have melted to have a tree care specialist assess the damage. Bent limbs sometimes need time to heal and recover, though cracked or broken limbs should be fully removed because they could fall and damage your property.

3. Winter Burns

Winter weather often leads to low moisture in the air and soil, causing trees to consume water from their cells to survive. This can cause damage that results in dull brown and red foliage in the spring. The best way to prevent this is by watering thoroughly in the fall, though you can also spray an antitranspirant or anti-desiccant on the tree to help seal in its moisture.

To nourish your trees so they're ready for spring, contact the certified tree care specialists at Gray's Tree Experts in Miamisburg, OH. Their team offers a wide selection of tree services to residential and commercial clients. They can also safely prune or remove diseased and damaged trees to avoid winter damage. Call (937) 260-2447 to schedule a free consultation today, or visit them online to review their offerings.