Tree Tragedies: 5 Common Causes of Winter Tree Damage in Edmonton
As many Edmontonians know, winter is our most prevalent season. From November to April, when cold weather hits, houses are blanketed in a thick layer of snow, and residents can be found wrapped up in blankets around a crackling fire or, when need be, bundled up from head to toe in winter attire, braving the winter winds. When winter settles in, your plants, trees, and shrubs can also suffer, resulting in winter tree damage. When they do, you can turn to your local Edmonton arborist for help.
When you’re faced with winter tree damage, it can be hugely distressing for homeowners. You may begin to imagine having to cut down your decades-old, bountiful trees altogether. But there’s no need when you have our number on hand. Our local arborists are more than happy to lend you a hand.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five common types of tree damage during winter so you know what to look out for. Without further ado, let’s get started!
Top 5 Types of Winter Tree Damage
When you have tree damage during winter, you’ll want to know the root causes behind the issue and the common signs you have a problem on your hands, especially here in Edmonton, where harsh winter conditions are common and below-freezing temperatures can be very hard on your trees. Read on to find out more about the five most common types of tree damage during winter.
1. Frost Cracks
One of the most common types of winter tree damage is frost cracks. Frost cracks happen due to the fluctuating temperatures that can sometimes accompany life in Edmonton. When the daytime sun heats the tree bark and underlying wood, it causes plant tissue expansion in the tree. But when temperatures drop in the evening, it can cause the outer bark to contract. The difference in contraction between the inner and outer layers can result in frost cracks, particularly in areas that are already damaged or if the condition of the tree is already at risk. This can result in long-term damage.
You will know you have frost damage because you will notice visible vertical cracks in the bark. When the crack occurs, it will also give off a loud sound like a rifle shot.
2. Winter Burn
Another cause of tree damage during winter is winter burn. Winter burn happens when there is a loss of water through leaf transpiration. At the same time, the winter sun and dry winds will dry out the tree’s needles. When this occurs, the moisture content in the conifer needle roots freezes, leaving no water to replenish it. A sudden temperature drop can cause further injury to your tree and lead to winter tree damage and dryness.
3. Broken Branches
Sometimes that first snowfall comes before your trees are ready for it. In autumn, trees shed their leaves so that they’re able to bear the weight of heavy snow. But, when the weather drops sooner than expected and trees haven’t had a chance to shed their leaves, it can be too much for your tree branches to bear, causing them to branch breakage, and before you know it, you’ve got winter tree damage on your hands. When you have tree damage during winter in the form of broken branches, it is dangerous for front yard trees, as they could fall into the street and injure drivers.
4. Rodent Damage
Weather and extreme temperature fluctuations aren’t the only dangers to your conifers when you have winter tree damage. It’s also important to keep an eye out for pests and vermin such as rodents. Due to the leaf loss of plants in the winter, rodents will struggle more to find food on the ground. In search of food, they may chew through the branches and bark of your trees, resulting in tree damage during winter.
When an animal chews through your tree, it’s known as girdling. Girdling is an incredibly detrimental form of winter tree damage and can kill everything above the chewing point.
5. Salt Damage
Although road salt is great for de-icing driveways and sidewalks, it can cause significant tree damage during winter to trees, shrubs and other plant life. When salt gets into the soil surrounding your tree, it can result in the browning of evergreen trees, leaf scorch, and dead areas in the turf. Poorly drained soils are especially susceptible to winter tree damage through de-icing salts.
Stop Winter Tree Damage in its Tracks & Keep Your Trees Healthy with Trusty Tree Services!
When your landscape has been the victim of winter tree damage in the cold winter months, it can be incredibly distressing. You may begin to imagine your beautiful trees, which have spent years maturing, being cut down in their prime. But, at Trusty Tree Services, we’ll do everything within our power to ensure that doesn’t happen and that your tree damage during winter is taken care of.
Now that you know the five common causes behind winter tree damage in the cold weather months, you may want to know who you can turn to for help to stop that tree damage during winter in its tracks. Well, look no further than Trusty Tree Services in Edmonton. We’re committed to bringing our Edmonton customers peace of mind and ensuring the winter months pass by with ease, and your healthy trees are protected. With years of experience in the industry, serving our local communities of Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Fort Saskatchewan, St. Albert, Beaumont and Leduc, you can’t go wrong with our tree care services.
Alongside services for winter tree damage, some of our most sought-after professional tree care services include tree removal, tree pruning, tree trimming, tree fertilizing, stump grinding and more.
Contact our tree care professionals today at 780-860-5500 for all your tree service needs, especially when you have tree damage during winter. No need to fret when with a rapid drop in temperature! We’ll take care of your winter tree damage, and before you know it, your vulnerable trees will thrive once more!