How MI Homeowners Can Protect Their Trees and Shrubs This Winter

With winter just around the corner, Michigan homeowners need to start preparing their trees and shrubs for the freezing temperatures ahead. The harsh, icy winds and heavy snow can take a serious toll on plants if they aren’t properly cared for. Let’s examine some proactive steps that homeowners can take to ensure their trees and shrubs stay healthy throughout the season. 

Insulate With Mulch

To protect your trees and shrubs, it’s important that mulch is applied at the tree’s base during the Fall. Mulch not only safeguards roots from extreme cold but also retains soil moisture, reduces the risk of winter desiccation and suppresses weed growth. 

It’s recommended that you apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the root zone. Typically, shredded bark or wood chips are used during this process. For best results, keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk or stems to prevent rot and pest problems, ensuring your plants stay healthy throughout the season.

Water Deeply

Another way Michigan homeowners can help their shrubs and trees survive winter is by watering them deeply before temperatures drop. Fall watering ensures that plants stay hydrated during the cold months, when frozen ground can make it difficult for roots to access moisture. 

Shallow watering or relying on rainfall may not be enough for your plants since roots need consistent moisture to avoid stress and potential damage from freezing temperatures. By thoroughly watering your plants, you increase the likelihood that they'll be able to withstand harsh conditions that come with winter. 

Protect Young Trees With Wrap

To preserve young trees during the winter, homeowners should wrap their trunks with tree wrap or burlap. This barrier shields their soft bark from:

• Harsh winds – Strong winter winds can dry out and damage branches
• Freezing temperatures – Prolonged cold can freeze roots and bark
• Sunscald – Winter sun can heat the bark during the day, causing it to crack when temperatures drop at night
• Salt spray – Road salt and de-icing chemicals can harm foliage and roots

Wrapping also helps prevent injuries from rodents and other wildlife that may gnaw on the trunks during the wintertime. It’s important that young trees are wrapped loosely from the base to the lower branches, so the wrap doesn’t constrict them. Once spring has begun, the wrap can be removed, allowing the bark to breathe and grow without restraint.

Stay on Top of Pruning

While pruning is a key part of routine maintenance, its importance can’t be overstated. Pruning removes dead, damaged or diseased branches, helping prevent the spread of pests and decay while keeping plants healthy. Regular pruning also encourages stronger growth and reduces the risk that new branches will break under the weight of snow or ice. Additionally, it improves air circulation and sunlight penetration, which boosts your plant’s overall health. 

Use Anti-Desiccant Spray

Using an anti-desiccant spray can safeguard evergreen trees by coating their leaves and needles with a thin, protective layer that reduces moisture loss. This is especially important when cold winds and frozen ground make it difficult for plants to absorb water. By preventing excessive drying, anti-desiccant sprays help maintain plant health and reduce winter burn. Usually, anti-desiccant spray is applied before the coldest months, giving trees and shrubs a better chance of surviving winter. 

Need Help With Your Trees and Shrubs? Visionary Fertilization Has Got You Covered!

If you need help maintaining your trees and shrubs, Visionary Fertilization has got you covered! Located in Shelby Township, we serve the surrounding communities in Macomb County. Our tree and shrub program is designed to keep your plants thriving. Our comprehensive program includes: 

• Dormant Oil Applications – Coats branches and twigs, smothering overwintering insects and eggs to reduce pest problems in the spring.
• Insecticide/Fungicide Applications – Targeted treatments help protect trees and shrubs from disease and insect infestations that can take hold during winter or early spring.
• Deep Root Feeding – Providing nutrients directly to the roots, helping plants survive cold temperatures. 
• Winterguard – Fertilizers that prepare plants for winter by giving them nutrients like potassium and nitrogen. 

If you’re ready to take your lawn care to the next level, call us today at 586-315-6384 and get a free estimate! To learn more about other services, including seeding and aeration, click the link here.