There’s Help For Your Winter Damaged Trees

When you live in Houston, you got to love our trees. The tall evergreens keep the summers green. The sprawling oaks give us a shady break from the sun. The clean the air for us.  However, sometimes the winter can really impact the health of our landscaping. This Old House has some helpful hints to give our trees a little first aid and protect them next winter.

 

End-Of-Winter Landscape First Aid

Treat your yard to a little love to ease winter recovery

By Megan Baker of This Old House magazine

 

Yard on The Mend

After a rough winter, your yard will likely need a little TLC. Here’s what you can do to cure some common ailments.

Sunken, Dead Tree Bark

Diagnosis: Sun scald

It occurs when normally winter-dormant tree cells get heated back into action by direct sunlight and then are killed by chilly nighttime temperatures.

Tree Bark Repair

Cut away the affected bark with a utility knife, rounding off the edges. Don’t cover wounds while they heal—it can encourage bacteria and fungi growth. In the fall, ward off damage by insulating the trunk with tree wrap.

Completely Uprooted Plants

Diagnosis: Frost heave

Freeze-thaw cycles cause the soil to expand and contract, pushing roots above ground, even ones that were well established.

Frost Heave Repair

When the soil thaws, replant and replace the topsoil. To prevent a future upheaval, mulch 
around plants in the fall so that winter soil temperatures will stay more even.

Browned Evergreen Foliage

Diagnosis: Winter burn

Sunny, windy weather dries out and discolors leaves and needles, and evergreens, which don’t go fully dormant, can’t get the water they need from frozen soil.

Browned Needle Repair

Brown foliage is likely dead, but the branches’ buds may have survived. Wait for them to open, then prune away only the damage. Next fall, water evergreens deeply until the ground freezes.

 

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