It may be cold and snowy already but it isn’t too late to protect your trees and shrubs from our long winter. The two main culprits that do damage beside snow blowers and plows are critters like voles, mice, rabbits and deer and the weather. Extreme cold, drying winds, heavy snow, fluctuating temps and the sun all can cause damage.
Use light colored tree wraps to protect the bark of young trees or those with thin bark like cherry, crab, linden, maple, plum and honeylocust. Sun exposure later in winter can cause dried, cracked and sunken bark. Use burlap screens or wrap evergreens like yews and arborvitae to protect these evergreens from sun and wind damage. Wilt-Stop is also any option for these evergreens and boxwoods too.
Burlap Screening
Animal damage is another issue we often face. More is seen colder, snowier winters and also depends on feeding pressure and animal populations in your neighborhood. Netting can be used to prevent deer and rabbits from getting to plants. Corrugated plastic tree wraps also helps keep deer from rubbing and rabbits from chewing. Hardware screen works well for smaller critters and can be put below soil level too. Finally, be aware of the snow level. As we get more snow the animals can reach highed. Check your plants regular