One of the pleasures of planting a new tree is getting to undergo all the “firsts.” The first piece of juicy fruit. The first color change. Then there’s your tree’s first winters. Young trees are way more susceptible to cold weather damage than older ones. If you have a tree, you should know how to protect plants from frost.
Below are tips on safeguarding newly planted trees from frost damage.
Ways on How to Protect Plants from Frost
Any tree with thin bark is vulnerable to sunscald. On a warm winter day, tree bark heats up, making the tissue beneath the bark get a break from dormancy. However, as soon as the sun sets and bitter temperatures come in, that tissue below the bark freezes to death. As a result, big, sunken areas form on the bark.
Regrettably, the damage doesn’t end there. Freezing temps can destroy a fruit tree’s buds, making it difficult for the yield fruit next spring.
But, if take the necessary steps now, protecting young fruit trees in the winter is doable. Before the weather dips low, prepare your plants by:
- Wrapping the tree’s trunk with a plastic tree guard or another type of protective tree wrap. Purchase tree wraps from your local tree care store.
- Use a frost shield (anti-transparent) for fruit trees. Spraying the canopies with a coat of frost shield aids in reducing moisture loss.
Protecting New Plants from Frost
Usually, people put plants around their landscape for privacy. These shrubs need to be healthy.
Protect plants against winter harm by doing these few things:
- Completely water your shrubs all the way up until the dirt freezes. Keep in the water by covering your plant’s bed in a layer of mulch.
- Wrap plants in loose material such as burlap to protect them from severe wind.
When to Cover Plants
Many plants are okay as long as the temperature is over 30 degrees. Freezing injuries occur when the temp drops down to the 20s. For safety, cover your plants with burlap or tree guards before the temperature is always under 30 degrees.
For extra protection, meticulously cover the plant with a bed sheet or burlap. Make sure to take the cover off in the morning so the plant doesn’t overheat.
If you have questions, we have answers. Call Durham Tree Service today.
