It's September, so the winter months are just ahead. Every season presents unique needs for your trees. Learn the proper ways to care for them ahead of and during the cooler months.
Taking Care of Your Trees During the Winter
The Wood Doctor
It's a common misconception that trees don't need care during the winter here in Gainesville, FL. It's important to prep your trees before the cooler months to increase their health and longevity. Winter tree care is crucial because, although the trees are dormant, they're prone to stressors like drier conditions, larger temperature swings, occasional frost damage (especially for younger trees), susceptibility to pests, and more. Read on to learn more about the importance of taking care of your trees during winter!
Understanding the Effects of Winter on Trees
Although snow and prolonged cold are rare in Florida, occasional frosts and cold snaps exist. The shorter days impact trees as well. Winter is the dry season in Florida, so this can negatively impact the health of trees, especially younger trees. Like humans, trees are more susceptible to disease and sickness during the winter months, and this can be a good time of year to inspect for signs of sickness while the trees are more dormant.
Pre-Winter Preparation
The best ways to prep your trees so that they're taken care of during winter include the following.
- Pruning
- Mulching
- Wrapping
- Watering
Pruning trees as they're transitioning out of the growth season puts less stress on them than doing so during the high growth season. This also sets them up for health during the following year's growing and hurricane seasons.
Mulching is also helpful to protect roots during cold snaps and for retaining more moisture during the drier months.
Wrapping the trunks of younger trees provides helpful protection during occasional winter cold snaps here in North Central Florida.
Watering your trees periodically during the dry period will keep your trees healthy and less prone to stress or disease.
Common Winter Care Mistakes to Avoid
While trying to care for your trees over the winter, it's also important not to over or improperly-prune them. This is why trimming is best left to a professional tree service company. You also want to avoid:
- overwatering
- overmulching
- fertilizing
Too much of a good thing is also harmful.
Thankfully, we don't have to worry about prolonged ground freezes or many of the same winter stressors like our northern neighbors. Also, as a general rule, it's best to fertilize trees during the spring, not when they're trying to go into dormancy.
When to Call a Professional to Take Care of Your Trees During Winter
If you're looking to prune your trees, identify potential diseases, or get them winter-ready, it's best to call a professional tree care company. A local Gainesville tree expert will be able to give you the best guidance and provide optimal tree service to get your property ready for the winter months ahead!