Your trees are one of your New England property’s most valuable assets. But keeping them healthy and thriving can feel daunting. There’s a lot of upkeep involved in maintaining your trees and you might be unsure about exactly what needs to be done when winter hits.
Of all the seasons, winter is typically the easiest for tree care, as most trees enter a state of dormancy. In this state of rest, they require minimal attention, making winter tree care easier. Even evergreens (which do not go dormant) slow their growth rate in the winter.
While trees require less care in the winter, that does not mean you should totally ignore them. One thing that homeowners are often surprised to learn is that winter watering may be necessary to help trees perform optimally. People often wonder, should you water trees in winter? Doing so can definitely be beneficial.
In this article, we will share what you need to know about watering trees in the winter. We’ll also share a few other winter tree care tips to help set you up for success.
We will cover:
Do Trees Need Water in the Winter?
How Do I Know if my Trees Need Winter Watering?
What About Watering New Trees in Winter?
What Other Winter Tree Care Tips Should I Know?
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
Do Trees Need Water in the Winter?
Yes, trees can still use water in the winter. When precipitation (including snow) has been minimal, water can become scarce for trees. Even though trees require a lot less water in their state of dormancy, they still need some.
Due to cold and windy conditions, trees can eventually become dehydrated. For this reason, watering in the winter can be beneficial.
Once the ground thaws and spring growth begins, you’ll want to resume your regular watering schedule.
Trees need moist soil to survive. However, be careful not to get carried away. Too much water can also lead to trouble like root rot. Signs of an overwatered tree include soggy soil, mushroom growth, moss, and yellowing leaves.
How Do I Know if My Trees Need Winter Watering?
You don’t have to perform winter watering nearly as often as other seasons. If there have been long periods of no precipitation, you should check the soil around your trees. If it is excessively dry, your tree may be in need of water.
You should only water your trees if the temperature is above 40 degrees and if there is no snow or ice around the tree.
Generally speaking, this may mean watering as little as once or twice a month during the winter. If the trees are located on a windy site, the watering needs might be higher.
What About Watering New Trees in Winter?
If you have newly installed trees on your property, you don’t want to risk losing them. Watering new trees in winter might be a little more involved. In general, new trees require more TLC and may need water every couple of weeks if there is no precipitation.
As you think about winter care for trees that are newly planted, you may also need to take special care to protect the new roots. Mulch acts as an insulator and helps to keep the soil warmer. It also adds a barrier that slows down water loss due to evaporation (which can occur from windy conditions in the winter).
What Other Winter Tree Care Tips Should I Know?
Snow and Ice Damage
The weather conditions here in New England can be harsh in the winter. Therefore, you’ll also want to watch out for snow and ice damage to your trees during this time. If a tree ends up severely damaged, it could warrant tree removal, particularly if it is now posing a threat to your property.
Keep in mind that one way to prevent snow and ice damage is with proper pruning. When already-weak branches are removed during pruning, they are less likely to become a threat during winter storms.
Winter Pruning
The winter happens to be a great time to prune your trees since they are already in a state of dormancy. Dormant pruning is less stressful on a tree. This is not only due to the state of dormancy (where growth is halted) but also the fact that trees aren’t dealing with heat and drought stress. This creates optimal pruning conditions.
The Winter Moth
One other concern to have on your radar in the winter is a pest called the winter moth. This is an invasive insect that can wreak havoc on your trees. Adult winter moths typically emerge in November or December to mate. However, the damage occurs in the spring, when the emerging caterpillars start to eat your foliage.
A non-chemical option for dealing with the winter moth in New England is tree banding. This involves placing a sticky band around the trunk of the tree in early to mid-November. This will prevent female moths from crawling up the tree to lay eggs.
Dormant horticultural oil can also be used from November to January for effective winter moth prevention. Be sure to read our full blog linked above for more information on this winter tree danger.
Choosing Tree Care in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine
While winter tree care can feel daunting, you don’t have to be on your own. You can partner with a tree care company that will help provide expert assistance.
Getting the best care for trees boils down to choosing the best tree care service. In order to make sure that you are choosing wisely, you’ll need to do some research on the companies you are considering.
At Seacoast Tree Care, we’re committed to preserving the health and beauty of trees in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts by performing vital services like tree pruning, tree removal, and general tree care the right way. We’re also here to offer helpful tree care tips so that you can be well-educated on what your trees need.
When you make a wise choice in tree services, you’ll ultimately take an important step in protecting the value of your property’s trees.
Ready for safer and healthier trees at your New Hampshire, Maine, or Massachusetts home? Get started with 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.
Image sources: winter moth, hose watering
