Tips For Minimizing Winter Weather Tree Damage

Tips For Minimizing Winter Weather Tree Damage

25 September 2018
 Categories: , Blog


With winter weather not far away, it's time for homeowners to start thinking about what the coldest season of the year can do to their trees. Especially if this is your first winter as a homeowner, you need to be prepared for the threats that winter weather can bring to your trees. In fact, the winter weather isn't the only threat you need to worry about. The materials used to deal with winter weather can be just as serious a concern. Here's a look at what you need to know about protecting your trees from severe damage caused by the salt used to combat winter ice.

Choose Your Salt Carefully

When you're choosing rock salt to use on your property, make sure that you are selective about the type you use. Avoid the types made from sodium chloride, because those will be more damaging to your trees. Instead, opt for one that's made from calcium chloride. It will still break down the ice but won't be nearly as destructive to your property's trees.

Avoid Salt Accumulation On The Trees

Any time that you use salt around your property, you risk getting it all over your trees. If it gets on the bark, it can soak into the tree. As the weather allows, you'll want to rinse the tree trunks down to get rid of any salt that's built up. Take a hose and rinse the entire circumference of the tree trunk with water. Make sure that you rinse far enough up that any splash up from slush is rinsed away. That way, you keep the entire tree clean and minimize salt exposure.

Keep The Soil From Contamination

Unfortunately, using any kind of salt on your property means that you risk that salt being absorbed into the soil. When it's absorbed into the soil, your tree roots will soak it up. That can lead to the tree being oversaturated with salt, which is dangerous for the tree's health.

The best way to avoid this type of issue is to have the soil around each tree amended or replaced by a tree care specialist. He or she can test the soil and mix in additives to neutralize the salt when necessary. If the salt concentration is too high, he or she may have to replace some of the soil to moderate it.

These are a few great ways to protect your trees from winter damage such as that from salt. Talk with a local tree care and removal contractor like Jonny's Tree & Landscaping Co., LLC today for more help.