In the city, trees and shrubs face both natural and man-made challenges. In areas like Zone 5, salt trucks and snow plows will soon be clearing the streets of snow and ice. A lot of that snow and ice will end up on and against city trees and shrubs.
To winterize evergreens:
- Put up a barrier around the base of the tree, such as a burlap wrap.
- Apply an anti-transpirant to the foliage to keep it from drying out.
- When the weather warms up in the spring, water the area well to flush the salts from the soil. Don't wash away salts during freezing weather because this will form more ice problems.
To winterize trees planted near the street:
- Put up a barrier of board or fencing, so the snow has something other than the tree trunk to pile up against.
- If you already have fencing surrounding the trees, add extra protection by lining the fence with reinforced woven plastic that comes on rolls that are 2 feet high and 50 feet long.
- Flush the soil with water in the spring to wash away excess salt.
For a long-term solution, plant trees that are salt tolerant:
- Norway maple, Zones 3-7
- Scotch elm, Zones 5-7
- Honey locust, Zones 3-7
- Ginkgo, Zones 4-9
With added protection, trees have what they need to make it through winter even if snow plows and ice trucks make daily runs.
Guests Pam Duthie
Owner of The Gifted Gardener
Author,
Continuous Bloom (Ball Publishing, 2000)
Order this title from Amazon.com
Email:
GftdGrdnr@aol.com
URL:
www.pamthegiftedgardener.com
Also in this Episode
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