Trees: painting trunks white protects them from frost and pests all winter long

Every winter, the gardener‘s bearings are shaken. But there are simple steps you can take to limit damage to trees, from balconies to large plots. You’ll save time and money in the spring.

Before the frost: stress-free garden preparation

Cold does not act alone. The freeze-thaw cycle cracks young bark, while the drying wind drains tissues of water. What’s more, heavy snow breaks carpenters and compresses the soil around the roots. So, for recently planted trees, these stresses add up and weaken the roots.

The good news is that a graduated preparation is all you need. First, water before the first hard frost to saturate the soil. Then mulch to a thickness of 5 to 8 cm, leaving a clear crown. Finally, adjust according to the age of the trees and the exposure of the garden.

Basic gestures before the first snowfall

Start by checking the anchorage with a light pressure on the trunk. If it moves, two well placed stakes will stabilize it. As a result, fine roots stay active longer. On fruit trees, remove mummified fruit to limit winter diseases.
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Early warning means less repair work in the spring.

Mulch needs to breathe. Keep a few centimetres of space around the trunk to avoid stagnant humidity. On the other hand, extend the protection right up to the crown projection on young trees.

Faucher – Green snow fence (Winter protection; $17.99). Placed facing prevailing winds, it creates a discreet windbreak and reduces the accumulation of snowdrifts.

• Secure stakes before strong gusts of wind.
• Keep the crown visible under the mulch.
• Shake the heavy snow from bottom to top.
• Keep salt away from root zones.
• Clean diseased fruit and wood before winter.

Protect trunk, roots and crown

Rodents seek shelter and food under the snow. A sheath or fine wire mesh protects the trunk over a height of 40 to 60 cm. In addition, for trees with soft bark, a burlap cloth limits winter sunburn.

Road salt burns buds and roots through runoff. However, a temporary border and a rinse watering after the thaw reduce the impact. Also, remember to divert runoff away from trees near driveways.

Faucher – Ez Jute fence 40 “x12′ (Winter protection; $29.99). The Ez Jute fence is the ideal solution for winter protection. Mounted at the edge of the fence, it filters the wind, reduces the blast effect and serves as a support for a sail.

Wind, winter sun and wildlife: preventing damage

In winter, the low sun heats one side of the trunk, then the cold brutally contracts the tissues. The result is cracks and splits. On south-west-facing trees, apply a light screen or whitewash with horticultural lime, if this practice is suitable for your region.

Deer rub young trunks and browse buds. In addition, alternating repellents and physical barriers limits habituation. A well-tensioned mesh at a distance prevents bark damage.

Maintenance schedule until thaw

Mowing – Protective cone (winter protection). Also channels melted snow, keeps air around the subject and deflects plated ice.

From now on, keep an eye on humidity during dry and cold spells. Also, clear heavy snow by gently shaking it from bottom to top. When the weather warms up, use a disinfected tool to cleanly cut broken wood from trees.

As soon as the hard frosts are over, gradually remove the protective covers. Then aerate the mulch and lightly scrape the soil to revive biological life. Thus prepared, your trees will restart without stress and stay ahead of the game.

• Trees