Dealing with Snow and Ice Damage: Restoring Your Edmonton Trees
Winter can be beautiful and full of adventure if you love the great outdoors, but it can also be cold and bring unexpected damage to those picture-perfect snow-covered trees. While there is nothing quite like the first fluffy snowfall that makes your yard look like something out of a movie, there are challenges you can face, and it’s not how you will get your shovelled out tomorrow morning, it’s the damage that can happen to your trees.
Freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and ice can all negatively impact your trees, and as a homeowner, you want to protect them the best you can. As a local Edmonton resident, you can attest to the frigid weather, and while trees were built for the outdoors, they do need care from time to time, especially if you want a spring with low yard maintenance. Trusty Tree Services is going to walk you through all the steps to caring for and restoring trees in Edmonton.
The Effect of Ice and Snow
Like you, your trees may need some protection from the winter elements. Just like if you don’t wear a jacket and it’s -30 out, it will begin to affect you, and the same thing happens to your trees. Some common types of damage can occur from snow and ice.
Broken Branches
Edmonton sees a lot of snow during the winter months; sometimes, the snow doesn’t stop coming down for days. Snow and ice can build up on the branches of your trees and start to weigh them down, resulting in the branches snapping. Deciduous trees are susceptible to this happening due to their weaker limb structures, and evergreens can also have this issue because their foliage will hold the snow in place.
Cracked Trunks
Basic science will tell you that moisture freezes and expands, which happens in your trees’ trunks over winter. When moisture is trapped in the base of your tree, it will cause the trunk to either split or crack; more specifically, this happens in younger trees with thinner bark.
Leaning
The good news is that your tree can recover from this naturally, but the bad news is not always. As you learnt from the broken branches section, trees can be weighed down by snow and ice. Younger trees will experience this more than established older trees, but they can lean and become bent, and while sometimes the issue will resolve on its own, other times it won’t.
Assess the Issue
When the snow finally melts and the temperature gets warmer, Edmonton property owners will want to assess their trees for damage. Our tree experts from Trusty Tree Service recommend you follow these simple steps to determine the extent of the damage done to your trees:
- Check branches and limbs: You will be able to notice issues with the branches and limbs right away because they will be broken or bent.
- Trunk check: splits and cracks in the dark indicate that moisture settled in the tree and expanded.
- Posture: If your tree has a lean or looks like it might topple over with the next strong wind, there is a problem.
- Roots: Soil that has exposed roots can indicate root damage.
Once you have thoroughly checked your tree and aren’t sure what to do next, give Trusty Tree Services a call. We are professional tree pros who will help you determine the next course of action. Whether we prune broken branches or provide tree removal due to the tree being unsafe, we can help you restore trees after winter.
Restoring Trees After Winter
Let’s take some action and get those trees back to their former glory! It can seem daunting, but who knows, maybe you’ve just picked up your new favourite hobby. Ready to see how easy it is to start restoring trees? Follow these steps:
Pruning
We don’t expect you to be able to transform your tree into a giraffe or some cool geometric shape, but you can cut the damaged branches. You’ll want good shearing scissors that are disinfected and ready to make a clean cut to prevent pests and disease. A quick tip: Don’t over-prune your tree. Only cut what is necessary.
Support System
We all need a little support from time to time, and so do those bent younger trees. To help restore these young ones, stake or tie the tree straight. Don’t tie the tree too tightly, as it can restrict growth, but the support should help straighten your tree back out again and restore trees in your yard.
Seal It
Consider it like hugging your tree but with a seal around its bark. While most trees can repair cracks in the bark, one that has suffered extensive damage will need a tree cover to restore it.
Water and Mulch
Just like you when you’re sick, you just want some fluids, and so does your tree. To support the natural regrowth and aid in helping your tree get back to pristine condition, replenish the moisture that might have been lost over the winter by making sure the soil moisture is there. You can also add mulch at the stump or roots to retain moisture.
Prevent Future Damage
If you don’t want to go through the restoring tree process again next spring, we have some tips that may help you in the future!
Plant Trees for Edmonton’s Environment
Some local communities in Edmonton likely already have well-established trees suited for Edmonton’s climate. However, if you’ve had to remove yours and want to do some tree planting, we suggest adding a native species to plant, like spruce, pine or aspen. Your local nursery can also advise you on different types or suggest seedlings.
Protect Young Trees
Using burlap or a tree guard can prevent cracks from frost. You can also install a stake over winter to prevent leaning.
Remove Excess Snow
Do this carefully, but gently shake off the snow from younger trees, and if you can’t reach the branches for more mature ones, lightly use a broom.
Add Mulch
Oh yes, mulch can really solve a lot of problems. If you place it down before winter, it can provide insulation for your tree.
Promote Healthy Winters
Winter isn’t a season loved by everyone, including your trees. Whether you need help restoring trees from snow and ice damage, help removing them, or need a tree-planting service, Trusty Tree Services is here for you! Give us a call today.