Protecting your trees, especially during difficult times of the year, is important to preserving their long-term value. Adding tree wrap is one way that you can provide winter protection for trees both from harsh weather conditions and the local deer population.
In this article, we’ll explain the important things that you ought to know about tree trunk wrap and when to use it.
Jump to:
What is Tree Wrap?
What are the Benefits of Tree Wrap?
How to Use Tree Wrap?
When to Use Tree Wrap for Winter?
Other Ways to Provide Winter Protection for Trees
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
What is Tree Wrap?
Tree wrap is a material used to wrap the trunk of a tree to prevent it from winter weather damage as well as deer damage. It’s important to use a breathable product like a crepe paper tree wrap or a fabric. Plastic wraps can ultimately hold in moisture and lead to more trouble.
What are the Benefits of Tree Wrap?
Tree wrap is most beneficial for young trees that are still more subject to damage than mature trees. We typically recommend tree wrap for trees that are under 2 years old.
There are several benefits to using tree trunk wrap on young trees.
- Tree trunk wrap provides tree insulation, which protects trees from freeze damage and sunscald, both of which are potential winter injuries in New England.
- Tree wrap can also protect trees that are close to the road from salt spray during roadway snow clearing operation.
- Finally, homeowners in the Seacoast region also commonly want to know how to protect trees from deer. Tree wrap can prevent deer from rubbing their antlers on the trunk, which damages the bark.
How to Use Tree Wrap?
Properly wrapping your tree is important to the success of the product. Start at the bottom of the trunk and start wrapping upward with a little bit of overlap. The goal is for the tree wrap to be secure but not super tight.
When to Use Tree Wrap for Winter?
Applying tree wrap at the proper time is important. It’s not something to leave up year-round. In fact, having your tree wrapped during its active growing season can wind up doing harm. It can also create hiding spots for pests.
Instead, aim to wrap trees in the fall, as trees begin to enter their dormant state. Tree wrap should then be removed in early spring.
Other Ways to Provide Winter Protection for Trees
Tree wrap is just one way to protect trees in the winter.
Watering
We also advise making sure that trees receive ample water leading up to the winter months. It’s easy to slack off on watering when you aren’t spending as much time outside but if it’s not raining, your trees do still need some supplemental water to perform optimally.
Mulching
Mulching around a tree can also provide winter protection. It will help insulate roots from extreme temperatures and retain moisture.
Pruning
You might also want to consider pruning during the winter months. Pruning trees in the winter (called “dormant pruning”) is beneficial as trees aren’t active during this time.
Even though pruning has a lot of benefits for trees, it’s also a stressor. Making cuts to the tree does put stress on it. But pruning during a tree’s dormant state minimizes that stress.
Another reason winter is the best time to prune a tree is that the lack of leaves on deciduous trees will expose the branches in a way that makes it easier to see problems, such as storm damage or rubbing branches.
While winter is not the ONLY time to prune, but it’s a great time for some of these reasons.
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
While many tree care companies might not offer tree wrapping as a service, they are the best partner to have in terms of getting tree care advice and guidance. They also offer other valuable services like tree pruning and fertilization that will help keep your trees healthy and thriving.
As you search for tree care in the Seacoast region, you want to find a company that has your best interest at heart and that you can build a long-term relationship with. Your property requires ongoing care and it’d be great to partner with a company that you truly trust.
At Seacoast Tree Care, we take the work that we do quite seriously. We started our business with the belief that we are here to care for and protect trees whenever we can. However, when they do have to come down, it’s absolutely critical that it’s done right.
While we do not offer tree wrap as a service, we are available to help provide advice and other services to ensure the health of your trees. We want to make sure every tree is properly protected in the winter!
Ready for safer and healthier trees at your Southern NH, Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts home? Request your consultation and get a free quote for tree pruning services. We service properties in and around Stratham, NH, Kittery, ME, and Haverhill, MA. By making a wise choice, you’ll know your trees are in good hands.
