Experiencing all the “first-times” is one of the pleasures whenever you plant a young tree. These “first-times” include the first flush of delicious fruit, the first color change in fall, and the first bud break in spring.  

Of course, you simply can’t skip the first winter of your tree. For those who don’t know, a young tree will have a hard time getting through. Compared to mature ones, they’re much more susceptible to winter damage. Thus, to bear the elements, they will require help from you and a tree service Macon GA Company.  

When to Cover Plants 

As long as the temperature is 30°F or higher, almost every plant is simply fine. Freeze damage could occur whenever the temperature drops down to 29°F to 20°F. Whenever temperatures drop under 20°F, plants are certainly at risk. 

Before the temperature is steadily below 30°F, you can protect your plants using burlap or tree guards to be safe. 

Protecting Young Shrubs from the Cold 

To generate a privacy curtain around our yards, people often plant shrubs. However, to do their job, the shrubs should be in excellent condition.  

Here are several steps that you can do to protect shrubs against winter damage.  

  • To protect them against harsh wind, wrap shrubs using loose material such as burlap.  
  • Cover the bed of the shrub in a 2 up to 4 inches layer of mulch to seal in moisture.  
  • Water the shrubs thoroughly all the way up until the water freezes the ground.  

Protecting Trees from the Cold 

Protecting young trees from severe elements is the key to protecting them from winter damage. This means that you have to protect them from the roots up to the top of the canopy.  

Sunscald is a common problem that can be typically found in fruit trees or trees with thin bark. These types of trees are extremely susceptible to this issue.  

However, unfortunately, it does not stop there. Cold temperatures can also damage the buds of a fruit tree. This makes it more difficult for your tree to create fruit next spring.  

However, it is possible to protect young fruit trees in the winter. This is especially true if you are proactive. Here are several things you should do before temperatures drop: 

  • For fruit trees, you should utilize a frost shield, also called antitranspirant. You can coat the tree with a protective film that helps lower moisture loss if you spray it using a frost shield.  
  • Use plastic tree guard or any other dense shielding tree wrap you can look for at a garden shop and wrap it around the trunk of the tree. You can easily prevent sunscald if you do this.  

Whenever the temperature drops suddenly, no trees can respond well. However, if minor springtime elements become cold shortly, young trees can really take a hit. To help your trees from the shock of a late spring frost, you have to plan ahead and prepare tools such as burlap and mulch. You can follow the tips mentioned above to protect your tree from frost.