Winter Tree Care Tips for Wichita Property Owners

a woman in a burgundy coat hugs a tree in snowy field

5 Ways to Keep Your Trees in Their Best Condition During the Cold Season

To quote a very famous show: “Winter is coming.”

As a professional tree service who has been in the business of taking care of trees year-round, we take those words to heart. Winter is hands-down the most challenging time for a tree, especially here in Wichita where we can get subzero temperatures and ice storms. However, there’s a way to ensure that your trees are ready to take on the challenge – preparation.

The same way that you winterize your vehicle and your home, you’ll also need to winterize your trees. As a certified arborist near you, we have a tried-and-true list of tips and tricks that will give your trees the very best chance for survival. You can contact our Wichita tree service directly for help with any of these.

Tip #1 – Strategic Pruning for Ice and Snowstorms

Although the end of winter is technically the best time to prune your trees, it’s always a good idea to prune the dead portions just before winter. Any branches that are visibly dead or sick should be removed immediately. “Why?” you might ask.

When it snows or ices, this will add a significant amount of weight to your tree branches. The branches that are dead or sick won’t be able to take this additional weight, and they will snap off, potentially becoming a danger to pedestrians or to your home.

Tip #2 – Add a Layer of Mulch and a Protective Mat

Adding an additional layer of mulch is a great tip to follow in professional tree service. Think of the mulch as your tree’s very own personal winter coat. The mulch helps insulate the tree’s roots while providing nutrients to the tree during the cold winter months. While you’re at it, we also recommend adding a protective mat barrier, which will help keep unwanted pests from burrowing their way into your tree’s roots.

Tip #3 – Wrap Your Trees to Insulate Them

Although you may not personally witness it, local wildlife like whitetail deer will rub their antlers against your trees, which strips off their protective bark. Additionally, harsh winter weather can further wear down your trees with winter winds, ice, sleet, and snow. If you want to give your trees an extra layer of protection, we suggest wrapping them for the winter.

Wrapping trees is a method of tree care that most homeowners find easy to do themselves because it’s a one-and-done type of affair. Once the tree is wrapped for the winter, you don’t have to worry about it again until around March when it’s time to take it off. Need assistance? Contact Huff’s Tree Service for a certified arborist near you to come out and wrap your tree. We use the most durable tree wraps that last all winter long.

Tip #4 – Securing Young Trees with Guards

Young trees need a little extra help getting through the winter because they lack the sturdiness of established trees. We suggest installing a guard that goes all the way around the trunk. Unlike a wrap, a tree guard is akin to a personal fence that goes around the tree. This gives it added protection against local wildlife as well as typical winter weather. Make sure that you take proper measurements of the tree before purchasing your tree guard.

Tip #5 – Clear the Extra Weight

After a heavy snowfall, the branches of your trees are carrying much more weight than what they’re accustomed to. For weaker branches, this makes them much more susceptible to breakage. You can assist your trees in holding together by gently shaking the snow off the limbs. If you don’t have a professional tree care tool, you can use something else with a long handle, such as a broom.

Looking for Wichita Tree Service? Contact a Certified Arborist Near You at Huff’s Tree Service

The good news is that you still have plenty of time left to prep your trees for winter. If the whole process seems a bit overwhelming or you simply want to get the job done right by a professional, you can reach out to a certified arborist near you at Huff’s Tree Service. In addition to tree trimming service in Wichita, we provide the following services:

  • Stump grinding
  • Tree removal
  • Tree and shrub fertilizing
  • Lot clearing
  • And more services

The best way to get in touch with us is by calling (316) 871-3841. Or you can email us directly using the contact form on our website. We make getting professional tree service in Wichita, KS, easy and convenient for homeowners.