How to Keep Your Land Healthy in the Winter

The winter in Maine can be harsh and unforgiving enough to humans, but imagine what it is like for unprotected woodland properties. Check out these tips to keep your property healthy:

1. Prepare for ice storms. Roads are often salted in preparation for an ice storm, so ensure the plant life on your property is at a salt-free distance. Branches can easily break during storms as well, so prune carefully. You may also need to wrap smaller trees or cable larger ones.

2. Prepare your trees for the stress of the cold. Cold stress can cause major problems for trees in the winter. Frost cracking usually repairs on its own, but in the case of young and warm-weather trees, try wrapping the bark in the fall. Owners can also apply Wilt Pruf to maintain moisture levels.

Die-off from early frosts is also damaging. Be sure that you only prune in the fall once the tree is dormant and that you use fertilizers without quick-releasing nitrogen.

3. Prepare your trees for lack of water. Mitigate winter drought by laying mulch around the base of a tree. Mulch will also help to protect against root injury.

4. Watch out for rodents. Rodents cause significant damage. Leave a space between the bark and mulch, and check regularly to see if further interventions are needed.

Finding Potential Risks

Use an extension office or another website to learn more about signs of problems with your trees and how to care for them in the winter. Although harsh winters are difficult even for native Maine plant life, proper protection will maintain your property through the season.