There are several factors that influence the degree or likelihood of damage and disease to trees in the winter. These include variables like tree species, location, dormancy, temperatures, precipitation, and more. Many assume that cold temperatures will kill a tree, but there are more serious threats in the winter than that. In fact, it’s not cold weather that harms a tree, but rather extreme fluctuations in temperatures. A tree must acclimate slowly to freezing cold temperatures in order to survive them once they arrive; and they can only do so if the temperatures gradually decrease as the fall ends and winter begins. Sudden or extreme changes in climate can de-acclimate trees, leaving them vulnerable to rapid freeze and more. You can learn more about that, as well as, other common tree damages and diseases that occur during the winter season, when you continue reading.

Frost Cracks

Frost cracks, also referred to as radial shakes, affect a tree’s bark and trunk in the wintertime. These are long, vertical cracks, both deep and shallow, that may appear in the trunk of a vulnerable tree after temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This is generally caused by sudden or extreme drops in temperature, and most commonly occurs on the South or Southwest side of trees. Once they appear, they usually come back every winter season. Tree that are more vulnerable to frost cracks include Red Maples, Walnut trees, Willow trees, and Oak trees.

Sunscald

Since trees experience the most temperature fluctuations on their South and Southwest side, they are also susceptible to a condition called sunscald. It appears as an elongated canker growth, and generally tends to affect thin-barked trees like Willows, White Pines, Beeches, and Maples. The cause is sudden over-exposure to direct sun. Additional signs of sunscald include lack of foliage, stem dieback, and stunted growth.

Winterburn

Similar to sunscald, winterburn is another seasonal condition that can greatly injure trees. But rather than mostly affecting the tree’s bark, it affects the foliage. Winterburn will cause leaves to appear burnt at the tips, curl up, and brown. It is common to see winterburn on trees like evergreens, Hemlocks, and pines, but also on Rhododendrons and Boxwoods. Loss of water through leaf transpiration is a common cause of winterburn.

Branch and Limb Breakages

Frozen ice and snow accumulation can cause tree branches to bend, snap, break, splinter, and fall. For this reason, it is important to make sure there is nothing kept beneath any tree covered in an excessive amount of heavy snow or ice. Broken limbs and branches are a common sight during winters with high precipitation. Use a broom to lightly release heavy snow accumulation from trees on your property to reduce the chances of limbs breaking.

Salt Damage

Salt is a necessity in many communities in terms of snow/ice removal and control. But it comes with its drawbacks. Not only does salt leave unsightly stains and marks on fabric like car mats and pant legs, and it also causes tree damage if improperly managed. Salt can linger in the soil and cause root damage, while aerial deposits damage the tree’s branches and limbs. But the damage from salt is not evident until spring and summer. Signs and symptoms include dead turf areas, branch dieback, leaf discoloration, and leaf scorch.

Keep Your Eye Out For Our Next Month’s Blog to Learn How to Reduce Winter Tree Damages Like These!

Tree Service Fishers

Call 317-537-9770 for prompt and professional tree service in Fishers, Indiana. We are highly trained and qualified arborists with more than two decades of experience in the industry. We offer a wide range of tree care services, including tree removal, transplanting, trimming, pruning, shaping, topping, stump grinding, lot clearing, tree disease treatment, and more. We offer both residential and commercial tree service at the most competitive prices in town! Call 317-537-9770 today for affordable, high-quality tree removal services in Fishers, IN.