Have
you seen trees with dead or damaged areas on the trunk? When the damage occurs
on the south or west side of the tree trunk, it is most likely caused by
sunscald. It’s not unusual for winter temperatures to reach 60° Fahrenheit in
the daytime and then fall below freezing after the sun goes down. When it gets
this warm during the day, the low winter sun heats up the tree bark, especially
on the south and southwest sides of the tree. The sun’s warming action breaks
the tree's dormancy and the cells on that side of the tree wakeup and become
active. When the temperatures fall after
sunset, the active cells and tissue die. The damaged area will often shrink and
discolor.
Later in the season, the bark may fall off, leaving a long scar.
Applying tree wrap now is a quick and simple way to protect the tree from the
winter sun.
Tree wrap is a corrugated paper product, sold in 50' and 150'
rolls.
Start at the base of the tree and spiral the wrap upward to the first
primary branch.
Overlap each turn about 1/3rd.
Once you reach the first set of
branches, loop the tree wrap over a strong, sturdy branch and tape it, so it
will stay in place. A good rule of
thumb is to wrap your trees around Halloween and remove the wrap around Easter.
You want to leave the tree wrap off during the growth months of spring and
summer, then reapply in late fall. You should wrap trees for the
first six or seven years after you plant them. After that, the bark should be
thick enough to reduce the risk of sunscald damage and you shouldn't have to
apply tree wrap every year. Once you've got the trunk wrapped, give the tree a
good soaking. Trees can handle winter weather better, if you water them now.
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