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Winter Freeze Warning!
Water NOW to protect plants from prolonged deep freeze...
By Chris Leinster - January 16, 2025
Thursday, January 16th, 2025. Temperatures will be pleasant today and tomorrow, but that all changes late afternoon Friday. A Polar Plunge is expected to descend upon Colorado, bringing several days of single digit highs with overnight temperatures well below Zero degrees! These types of wild temperature swings are rather common along Colorado’s Front Range, which is one of the reasons trees don’t naturally grow here. You can help protect your trees and shrubs by dragging out the hoses and watering your plants before the cold weather sets in.
Dramatic dips in temperature can be detrimental to plants in our high-altitude environment. Remember, most trees aren’t native to the high chaparral, and they prefer more temperate climates with higher humidity. If the soil is bone dry, as is likely after several days without precipitation, frozen ground is stressful on your plants. Watering now will get some moisture in the soil that can help protect the roots during the upcoming Arctic Blast.
If your trees are in a shady spot, the ground may already be frozen and there still may be snow on the ground. If so, you don’t need to water, but it wouldn’t hurt. In sunny spots, little to no moisture may be present from the last round of snow, so watering right away is highly advisable. This is true not only for newly planted trees and shrubs, but also for mature trees and plants, particularly evergreens.
Your deciduous trees should already be wrapped for winter. This doesn’t do anything to keep them warm, which is a common misconception. We wrap the trees to keep the sun off the tender bark of young trees. Otherwise, desiccating sun along with cold temperatures can dry out the bark, causing a sun burn much like we hairless monkeys experience. For more information check out the following blog… http://happytrees.co/blog/22314/Happy-Trees-Pro-Winter-Preparation-Tips-
Trees are living beings that need care and protection to survive in Colorado’s harsh climate. Please protect your investment and winter water today!
Dramatic dips in temperature can be detrimental to plants in our high-altitude environment. Remember, most trees aren’t native to the high chaparral, and they prefer more temperate climates with higher humidity. If the soil is bone dry, as is likely after several days without precipitation, frozen ground is stressful on your plants. Watering now will get some moisture in the soil that can help protect the roots during the upcoming Arctic Blast.
If your trees are in a shady spot, the ground may already be frozen and there still may be snow on the ground. If so, you don’t need to water, but it wouldn’t hurt. In sunny spots, little to no moisture may be present from the last round of snow, so watering right away is highly advisable. This is true not only for newly planted trees and shrubs, but also for mature trees and plants, particularly evergreens.
Your deciduous trees should already be wrapped for winter. This doesn’t do anything to keep them warm, which is a common misconception. We wrap the trees to keep the sun off the tender bark of young trees. Otherwise, desiccating sun along with cold temperatures can dry out the bark, causing a sun burn much like we hairless monkeys experience. For more information check out the following blog… http://happytrees.co/blog/22314/Happy-Trees-Pro-Winter-Preparation-Tips-
Trees are living beings that need care and protection to survive in Colorado’s harsh climate. Please protect your investment and winter water today!