The trees in your yard work hard all year long, providing shade and beauty. As winter approaches in Northern New Jersey, taking the time to winterize your trees can make all the difference in keeping them healthy and protecting your property from cold-weather damage.

Here are a few simple, practical steps you can take this season to get your trees ready for freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and ice.

Prune Away Dead or Weak Limbs

Start by taking a close look at your trees for broken, cracked, or dying branches. Pruning these out before the first heavy snowfall is essential, because snow and ice add immense weight that can snap fragile limbs. When pruning, make a clean cut just outside the branch collar rather than leaving long stubs. If you spot large limbs hanging over your roof, driveway, or power lines, have a professional handle the trimming to stay safe.

Give Trees a Deep Watering Before the Ground Freezes

Even though trees enter dormancy during the colder months, they still require moisture in their roots. During late autumn dry spells, give your trees a deep soak once a week until the ground freezes solid. Well-hydrated roots withstand freezing soil temperatures much better than dry ones. If the soil around the base of your tree is hard and compacted, gently loosen it with a rake so the water can soak in deeply.

Apply a Protective Blanket of Mulch

Spreading a fresh layer of organic wood chip mulch around the base of your trees acts like an insulating blanket. Aim for three to four inches of mulch spreading outward toward the drip line. Be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk itself—piling mulch against the bark can trap unwanted moisture and attract pests.

Shield Young Trunks and Evergreens

Young trees with thin bark are susceptible to frost cracks and sunscald when temperatures swing between freezing nights and sunny days. Wrapping their trunks with breathable burlap or commercial tree wrap provides crucial insulation. For evergreens that face harsh winter winds, setting up a simple burlap windbreak or applying an anti-desiccant spray will prevent the foliage from drying out.

Ready to make sure your trees stay safe and strong this winter? Reach out to Big Foot Tree Service in Wayne, NJ at 973-885-8000 for a free estimate on professional tree trimming and winter care!