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Winter is coming. The Tri-Cities winters can either be excessively cold or a bit on the mild side. It’s hard to tell. One of the best things you can do for the health of your trees is to prune and thin them out. Another thing you may need to do because of your high winds is to brace them.

Bracing Young Trees

You can brace a young tree with a trunk diameter less than 2 inches using a single stake. Use a stake at least 36 inches long, hammered into the ground as close to the trunk as possible so that at least half of the stake’s length is underground. Brace the tree trunk by tying it to the stake with a bicycle innertube tied in a figure-eight configuration; this provides a firm yet flexible support for the trunk and puts padding between the trunk and the stake itself.

Bracing Mature Trees

Trees with trunk diameters larger than 2 inches require multiple stakes to brace properly. Secure trunks with diameters of 2 to 4 inches using two stakes placed on opposite sides the trunk. Trees with a diameter greater than 4 inches require at least three stakes placed at equal distances around the trunk. To prevent damage to the roots, place the stakes of larger trees approximately 18 inches from the trunk and run a length of nylon rope or other soft cord between the stake and the trunk. Use a section of innertube or other flexible material as additional padding against the trunk if desired.

Keep in mind that having trees on your property comes with a little bit of maintenance. With just a little tree maintenance, you can prevent most major pitfalls. You won’t have to be worried about trees causing property damage or even worse, personal injury. We look forward to discussing your needs. We have trained arborists in the Tri-Cities that are professional and that can answer any questions you have.

Winter is coming. The Tri-Cities winters can either be excessively cold or a bit on the mild side. It’s hard to tell. One of the best things you can do for the health of your trees is to prune and thin them out. Other things that often get overlooked is mulch and water during the winter time.

Mulch

A winter coat will also keep the new trees’ bark more comfortable. Since it is still thin, the bark can split when frozen and quickly thawed. Splits occur when sunny and warm winter days are followed by clear, cold nights. The bark of a young tree will not warm quickly and split if it is shaded. Protect your trees for their first few winters with a spiral plastic tree wrapper. Or wrap the trunk loosely with something like a feed sack or corrugated cardboard. Or lean a couple of tall boards against the southwest side of the tree. Damaging weather is likely in January and February.

Water

Root systems can spread 2-3 times wider than the height of the tree. Most of the tree’s absorbing roots are in the top 12 inches of the soil. Water should be applied within the dripline. Water deeply and slowly, moistening the critical root zone to a depth of 12 inches. Methods for watering include a deep root fork or needle, soaker hose or by hand with a soft-spray wand. If using the deep root fork or needle, insert the device into the soil NO DEEPER than 8 inches.

Water deeply and slowly. Apply water so it moistens the critical root zone to a depth of twelve inches. Methods for watering include a deep root fork or needle, soaker hose or soft spray wand. Apply water to many locations under dripline. If a deep root fork or needle is used, insert the device no deeper than eight inches into the soil.

Keep in mind that having trees on your property comes with a little bit of maintenance. With just a little tree maintenance, you can prevent most major pitfalls. You won’t have to be worried about trees causing property damage or even worse, personal injury. We look forward to discussing your needs. We have trained arborists in the Tri-Cities that are professional and that can answer any questions you have.

Winter is coming. The Tri-Cities winters can either be excessively cold or a bit on the mild side. It’s hard to tell. One of the best things you can do for the health of your trees is to prune and thin them out. Other things that often get overlooked is prepping for sunscald and the need to wrap your trees.

Prepping For Sun Scald

The best methods involve reflecting the sunlight or insulating the trunk. For years, orchardists have used white latex paint on fruit trees to combat sunscald. This is an acceptable orchard practice, but it may look objectionable in the home landscape.

Use of crepe paper to insulate the trunk is the best method. This tree wrap, available at local garden centers and nurseries, keeps trunk temperatures cool. Start wrapping at the base of the tree, overlapping one-third with each turn. This ensures the wrap will shed water. Wrap up to just above the second branch and secure with stretchable tape. Do this in November and remove wrap around Easter. It is imperative that the wrap be removed in the spring; if left on it can harbor insects or disease and the tape can injure the tree as it expands in the spring. You’ll need to wrap the trees for the first two or three winters.

Sunscald is less likely to be a problem for trees planted on the east or north sides of buildings, because they are less likely to be in full sun than are trees planted on west or south exposures.

Keep in mind that having trees on your property comes with a little bit of maintenance. With just a little tree maintenance, you can prevent most major pitfalls. You won’t have to be worried about trees causing property damage or even worse, personal injury. We look forward to discussing your needs. We have trained arborists in the Tri-Cities that are professional and that can answer any questions you have.