Winter is the time when most Cincinnati homeowners forget about the trees on their property. And while you may prefer to stay warm indoors, your trees need a little bit of care in order to stay strong and healthy through the cold months.
To help your trees thrive while it’s cold out, and to prepare them for the upcoming growing season, make sure to follow these winter tree care tips.
Key Takeaways
- Winter is the ideal time for major tree work like pruning and removal, when dormant trees and frozen ground create perfect conditions for safe, effective maintenance.
- Simple winter care steps like proper watering before the ground freezes and protecting trees from salt damage can prevent costly problems and extend tree life.
- Regular winter inspections help catch tree problems early, especially after storms when damage is most likely to occur.
- Young and recently planted trees need extra attention in winter, including consistent watering and protection from sunscald and frost damage.
Why Winter Tree Care Matters for Your Property
Taking care of your trees in winter is just as important as winterizing your home. Just like you prepare your house for cold weather, your trees need attention to stay strong and healthy during the winter months. Here’s why winter tree care matters for you and for your home:
- Storm Protection: Trees with strong, healthy branches are much less likely to break during ice storms and heavy snow. This means better protection for your roof, cars, and outdoor spaces. And less of a mess to clean up come spring.
- Lower Energy Bills: Trees block harsh winter winds and help control your home’s temperature naturally. The right pruning lets warm sunlight through in winter and ensures cooling shade for summer.
- Better Property Value: Well-kept trees make your property stand out in every season. Mature, healthy trees can boost your home’s value significantly.
- Safety First: Regular winter care keeps your trees stable and strong, protecting everyone nearby from falling branches or splitting trunks during storms.
- Future Growth: Good winter care now can help your trees grow better in spring, boosting their shape, health, and appearance.
Winter Tree Care Tips for Cincinnati Homeowners
Keeping your trees healthy during Cincinnati winters isn’t too difficult. And these proven tips will help your trees make it through winter and thrive when spring arrives.
Keep Watering Recently-Planted Trees & Shrubs
Young trees still need water in winter. While older trees can handle winter just fine, trees planted in the last two years are still growing their root systems.
Water them when temperatures are above freezing and it hasn’t rained recently. Water early in the day around the root zone so the soil can soak up moisture before nighttime freezing.
Protect Trees from Road Salt
Salt from roads and sidewalks can harm trees, damaging roots and killing branches. This is especially true for trees near streets and driveways.
To protect your trees, put up burlap screens to block salt spray, focusing on trees closest to the street. Try using sand or kitty litter instead of salt on your property if you have especially valuable trees or plants nearby. When temperatures warm up, water deeply to wash salt out of the soil.
Protect Tender Shrubs from Frost or Freezes
Cincinnati’s fluctuating winter temperatures are tough on decorative shrubs and young trees. Newer plantings and sensitive varieties may need extra help to handle the highs and lows.
When a deep freeze is in the forecast, use burlap barriers or frost blankets. These coverings block both freezing temperatures and drying winter winds. Deeper freezes have a tendency to kill sensitive plants, which could result in wasted money and effort from your recent gardening endeavors.
Help Trees & Shrubs After a Snowfall or Freezing Rain
Clearing snow and ice off branches can help protect them and minimize the chance of branches breaking under all the extra weight. But you have to go about it the right way, or you might break the branches yourself.
Never shake branches covered in snow or ice. Low temperatures make branches brittle, and they can snap without warning. Let ice melt on its own. If you see branches bending under snow, use a broom to gently brush upward from underneath the branch.
Mulch Around Your Trees
If you haven’t already refreshed the mulch around your tree, now’s the time to do it.
Think of mulch as a winter blanket for tree roots. Put down 2-4 inches of organic mulch around your trees, at least a couple feet out from the trunk. If you’re willing, it’s best to mulch out to the tree’s dripline (where the outermost branches reach).
Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Good mulching helps maintain soil temperature, better equipping trees to withstand fluctuating temperatures. Mulch also holds in moisture all winter, which is good for trees.
Protect Young Trees from Sunscald
Young trees, especially maples and others with thin bark, can get sunscald in winter. This happens when sun warms the bark during the day, then rapid freezing at night damages the tissue.
This damage can let pests and disease in. In late fall, wrap young tree trunks with light-colored tree wrap, and remove it in early spring.
Winter is the Best Time for Major Tree Work
Most people think tree work should wait for warm weather, but winter is actually perfect for big tree projects. When trees are dormant, and the ground is frozen, winter gives tree care professionals the best conditions to work safely and efficiently. And it gives trees the best chance to heal properly before the stress of summer.
Smart Winter Pruning: The Right Time for Tree Health
Winter is the best time to prune your trees, though many Cincinnati homeowners don’t know this. When trees go dormant, they’re naturally ready for trimming and healing. Without leaves in the way, arborists can see every branch clearly, making it easier to spot problems and make precise cuts.
Here’s a few more reasons winter pruning is good for your trees:
- Less Risk of Disease: Winter’s cold means most tree diseases are dormant, too, so pruning cuts are less likely to get infected.
- Better Healing: When trees are dormant, and not putting energy into growth, they can direct that energy to healing, minimizing the risk of complications like fungal infections or pest infestations.
- Oak Tree Protection: If you have oak trees, winter pruning is a must. Oak wilt disease, which is common in Cincinnati, spreads through tree wounds in warm weather. Winter pruning keeps your oaks safe from this serious disease, which can kill mature oaks in as little as 1 or 2 years.
If you truly want the best for your trees, have your deciduous trees inspected and professionally pruned in the winter.
Tree Removal Works Well in Winter
Sometimes removing a tree is necessary to protect your property or to prepare for new landscaping projects. Winter makes this big job safer and cleaner. Tree care professionals can work more efficiently in winter conditions, with less impact on your yard.
Frozen ground means heavy equipment won’t tear up your lawn. With no leaves on the trees, experts can see exactly how to take down each section safely. They can spot power lines and other hazards more easily, too.
Winter removal causes less disruption to your property overall. The frozen soil stays firm under equipment, and dormant gardens won’t get damaged in the process. Bare branches also give workers better angles for cutting, making the whole job smoother and safer from start to finish.
Common Questions About Winter Tree Care
Can I prune my trees myself in winter, or should I hire a professional?
Simple jobs on small trees might be okay to DIY. But big pruning jobs need a professional. Keep in mind, that even just using a ladder puts you at risk, as countless DIY pruning accidents are caused by falls from ladders.
Also, making the wrong cuts can harm your tree, create openings for disease, and impact future growth. Pruning is a job best left for trained professionals with the proper equipment.
How do I know if my tree survived winter storm damage?
It can be tough to tell if trees are dead or dormant come springtime. Watch your tree when spring arrives. If it grows leaves normally, it’s probably fine. But don’t wait until spring if you see split branches, exposed
wood, or roots lifting up after a storm – call a professional right away for a safety check and to remove any dangerous branches that could fall at any moment.
What should I do about ice-covered branches?
Never try to knock ice off branches by shaking or hitting them. Branches can snap suddenly and cause injury. Instead, let ice melt naturally. If branches are heavily weighed down by ice, stay away from that area until the ice melts.
How often should I inspect my trees during winter?
Look at your trees after every big storm and at least once a month during winter. Watch for broken branches, splits in the trunk, or signs of disease. Regular checks help you catch problems early, before they become dangerous.
Every Season Matters When It Comes to Tree Care
Taking care of your trees in winter helps protect your property and keeps your trees healthy and beautiful year after year. These simple steps can prevent costly problems and keep your family safe.
Don’t wait for an emergency to think about your trees. Contact Lefke Tree Experts at 513-325-1783 or use our online form to request a free estimate today.
