As the temperatures get cooler, it’s essential to start thinking about how to prepare your property for winter. Preparing your home for winter is important because of the toll the weather can take on your trees, plants, and landscape. With a few preventative measures, you can ensure your property stays safe, healthy, and beautiful throughout winter. At Pacific Arboriculture, we have seen the damage that winter storms, ice, and snow can cause to your trees and property. Here are five tips you can take toward protecting your trees in winter in addition to other greenery around the home.
Identify Potential Problem Areas
Before the cold weather hits, assessing your property for any problem areas that could be exacerbated by harsh winter weather is critical. Walk around your yard and carefully inspect trees, shrubs, and other structures for signs of damage or weakness. Take note of any trees with leaning trunks, cracked bark, or dead limbs that could break under the weight of snow or ice. Look for low-hanging branches that could interfere with power lines, walkways, or your home’s roof. If you notice any of these problems, give Pacific Arboriculture a call. A little work goes a long way towards protecting your trees in winter. In fact, these proactive steps help you stay on top of the issue before things get worse and a broken branch or fallen tree damages your property or home.
Winterize Lawn & Furniture
Winter property preparation will give you a leg up on your lawn care before spring arrives. Start by mowing your lawn one last time before the first freeze. Aerating the soil allows water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots more effectively. Fertilizing your lawn encourages grass roots to grow deeper and stronger in preparation for the winter months. Additionally, we recommend raking up leaves and debris that could smother your lawn over the winter months. For the best results in maintaining a healthy yard, performing this winter lawn care maintenance is critical.
To begin winterizing outdoor furniture in the Greater Seattle Area, start by cleaning it. The cleaning process will vary depending on the patio furniture type, but many can benefit from a mild soap solution. Next, add a protector or sealant to prevent damage from cold weather in the winter months. Store the furniture in a dry, secure place. If you aren’t able to move it into storage, consider covering the furniture.
Preventative Tree Pruning
Protecting trees in winter doesn’t have to be complicated. Having a certified arborist perform maintenance pruning before winter arrives removes any dead, diseased, or dying branches. Pruning also helps to thin the crown of the tree by removing some branches, meaning there are fewer branches for snow to accumulate when it does snow. Less snow on the branches means less weight to hold, which is better for the tree overall. At Pacific Arboriculture, we offer winter tree care tips for residents near Seattle and the Greater Seattle Area.
Take Special Precautions for Delicate Plants
Delicate plants that don’t overwinter well may require some special precautions. If they are planted in containers, move them into a protected area, such as in the garage or under a carport. Don’t forget to water these plants that you have moved temporarily, as they will continue to transpire and need moisture.
For plants that you can’t move, consider covering them with a clear plastic sheet that allows air to flow. In addition, add a few inches of mulch around the base of the plant to keep the roots from freezing. This helps protect the roots should the temperature dip below freezing.
Contact a Tree Expert
While winter weather can be tough on your property and trees, it doesn’t mean you must tackle it all by yourself. At Pacific Arboriculture, our experienced arborists are here to help protect your valuable landscape. Whether you need help protecting trees in winter, removing trees, or assessing potential problem areas, we are here to offer expert advice and professional services to ensure your trees thrive throughout the winter. Contact us today for a free consultation on a tree removal or tree pruning service.