10 Ways to Prepare Your Trees Two Days Before a Freeze
Freezing temperatures can be hard on your trees, but even with short notice, there are practical steps you can take to set them up for success. If you’re two days away from a freeze, here’s what you can do to protect your trees and minimize potential damage.
1. Water Your Trees Deeply
Why It Helps: Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, insulating the roots and reducing freeze damage. Hydrated trees are also less stressed during freezing conditions.
How to Do It: Water the soil deeply around the drip line (the area beneath the outermost branches). Avoid overhead watering, as water on leaves or bark can freeze and cause damage.
2. Apply Mulch Around the Base
Why It Helps: Mulch acts as insulation, stabilizing soil temperatures and protecting the root zone from rapid freezing.
How to Do It: Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or straw) around the base of the tree. Leave a small gap around the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and rot.
3. Prune Damaged or Dead Branches
Why It Helps: Removing dead or damaged branches prevents weak limbs from breaking under the weight of ice or snow, reducing potential damage to the tree and surrounding property.
How to Do It: Use clean, sharp pruning tools to remove any dead or weakened branches. Avoid heavy pruning, as this can stimulate new growth, which is vulnerable to freezing.
4. Wrap or Cover Vulnerable Trees
Why It Helps: Wrapping provides an extra layer of insulation, protecting the tree from frost and freezing winds, especially for young or sensitive trees.
How to Do It: Use burlap, frost blankets, or even old bedsheets to cover the tree. Wrap the trunk and canopy loosely, securing the material to stakes or with soft ties. Remove coverings during the day to allow light and airflow.
5. Protect the Trunk
Why It Helps: Sudden temperature drops can cause frost cracks (vertical splits in the bark). Wrapping the trunk minimizes this risk.
How to Do It: Wrap the trunk with tree wrap or burlap, starting at the base and working up to the first branches. Remove the wrap after the freeze event to prevent trapping moisture.
6. Add Temporary Windbreaks
Why It Helps: Strong, freezing winds can dry out and damage trees, especially younger ones.
How to Do It: Erect a temporary windbreak using stakes and a tarp, burlap, or plywood. Position it on the side of the tree most exposed to prevailing winds.
7. Avoid Fertilizing
Why It Helps: Fertilizing just before a freeze can encourage new growth, which is particularly vulnerable to frost damage.
What to Do Instead: Focus on watering and mulching, as these are more beneficial in the short term.
8. Harvest Fruit and Protect Buds
Why It Helps: Fruit and buds are especially susceptible to frost damage, which can reduce the tree’s productivity and health.
How to Do It: Pick any remaining fruit and, if possible, cover budding branches with lightweight cloth or frost fabric to insulate them.
9. Apply Anti-Desiccant Spray (Optional)
Why It Helps: Anti-desiccant sprays help reduce moisture loss from leaves, particularly on evergreen trees and shrubs.
How to Do It: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply the spray to the foliage during mild weather before the freeze. Avoid use if rain or frost is imminent.
10. Plan for Recovery
Why It Helps: Knowing what to do after the freeze can minimize long-term damage to your trees.
How to Do It: After the freeze, inspect your trees for damage, prune broken branches, and continue providing water to encourage recovery.
Final Thoughts
Even with limited time, taking these steps two days before a freeze can significantly improve your trees’ ability to survive and thrive. By watering, mulching, and providing physical protection, you’re giving your trees the best chance to weather the cold and bounce back when temperatures rise.
If you have questions or need expert advice on preparing your trees for cold weather, consider consulting a certified arborist. A little preparation can make all the difference!
Hope that helps, and if you need help with your trees before or after the freeze, feel free to reach out to us at our phone number or email below, or click on the “CONTACT” page.
My Best,
Matt Latham – 713.385.7040
ISA Master Arborist #TX-3737B
ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #859
info@arboristondemand.org
www.arboristondemand.org