Winter weather can be unpredictable and damage the trees on your property.
These trees, in turn, could then pose a risk to your household’s safety. Here are five common tree problems that occur in winter that you should be aware of and prepared to deal with if necessary.
1.) SNOW DAMAGE
The weight of accumulated snow can put a lot of strain on tree branches and stems, causing them to bend and potentially break. A tree’s susceptibility to snow damage depends on its shape, density and health. Mature trees generally recover, unless there’s major limb damage or excessive branch loss. Young trees, however, are more susceptible to irreparable damage. If the trees and shrubs on your property suffer damage during a heavy snowfall, you can give us a call for our storm damage tree services any day of the year.
2.) ICE GLAZE DAMAGE
Ice glaze is the smooth coating of ice that forms on surfaces during freezing rain. Similar to snow damage, this buildup of ice can cause tree branches to crack and break. Young trees are particularly at risk because their bark hasn’t finished hardening. Trees with diseased, brittle or dead branches will also suffer more damage, which is one reason why regular pruning and tree maintenance is so important, even during the winter months!
3.) WINTER DESICCATION
Water evaporates from a tree’s foliage throughout the year. During the winter, however, frozen ground can prevent a tree from replacing that moisture through its roots. This dehydration, known as winter desiccation, is exacerbated by dry winter winds and rapid fluctuations in temperature. Signs of winter desiccation include dry foliage, discolouration and growth abnormalities.
4.) SUNSCALD
Although trees are dormant during the winter, exposure to sunlight and warmth can trigger cell growth inside the bark. These developing cells, however, aren’t equipped to handle cold weather and suffer damage when the temperature plummets at night. This type of injury, referred to as sunscald, is characterized by sunken, discoloured or cracked bark that may eventually peel off.
5.) FROST CRACKS
Rapid fluctuations in temperature during the winter cause a tree’s bark and inner wood to expand and shrink at different rates. This puts strain on the tree and creates frost cracks that range from small fissures in the bark to long vertical cracks that can split a trunk in two. Even minor damage can weaken a tree and lead to more severe splitting.
WINTER ARBORIST SERVICES IN EDMONTON & SURROUNDING AREAS
At All Season Tree Service, we know the havoc an Alberta winter can wreak on your yard. In addition to professional guidance, we offer tree removal and storm damage services in Edmonton and the surrounding areas. For more information on how to protect your trees or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.