The majority of Minnesota is rated between plant hardiness Zones 3a and 4b by the US Department of Agriculture. The lower the number, the colder the temperature, meaning that only the toughest trees can survive Minnesota’s brutal winters, with temperatures as low as -40˚F.
Even when it comes to trees that are hardy enough to weather our winters, intense cold and accumulation of snow and ice can pose a threat if measures aren’t taken to protect your trees. It’s not just your trees that are at risk, either; if a tree becomes too heavily laden with snow and ice, it may collapse or lose large branches, which can cause serious damage to your house and severe injury to anyone walking beneath. Fortunately, there are some simple measures that you can take to protect your trees and, by extension, the rest of your property during the winter.
Winter Tree Protection Tips
Prune Dangerous Branches
The most immediate threat to your trees in winter is branches breaking under the weight of snow and ice. To protect trees from winter damage, prune any large branches that may be especially vulnerable to heavy snow accumulation. This is especially critical for branches hanging over your house, deck, or driveway, since a collapse could cause catastrophic damage.
Contrary to popular belief, winter is actually the best time to prune your trees. With no leaves, pruning is easier, and because trees are dormant, they won’t experience as much stress as they would in spring or summer. Plus, pests and diseases that could infect fresh cuts are inactive during winter.
Prevent Sunscald
Snow and ice aren’t the only threats—sunscald is another common winter issue. Without leaves, deciduous trees are vulnerable to sunlight that stimulates bark growth during the day, only for the new growth to be killed by freezing temperatures at night.
Young trees, thin-barked species like crabapples and maples, and trees in full sun are most at risk. To prevent sunscald, wrap the trunk with white plastic, which reflects sunlight and keeps bark temperatures stable. Avoid black plastic, which absorbs heat and makes sunscald worse.
Burlap Your Evergreens
Evergreens retain their foliage year-round, which makes them vulnerable to strong winter winds, intense sunlight, and snow or ice buildup. Wrapping evergreens in burlap provides multiple benefits: it helps them retain moisture, shields against wind and ice damage, and even deters deer who often feed on evergreens in winter.
Remove High-Risk Trees
Sometimes pruning isn’t enough. If a tree poses a substantial risk of collapse that could damage your home, vehicles, or nearby trees, full removal may be necessary. Winter is an ideal season for tree removal—the frozen ground prevents heavy equipment from damaging your yard and helps anchor nearby plants so they aren’t uprooted with the problem tree.
Winter Tree Care Services in the Twin Cities
There are a number of measures that you can take to prevent damage to your trees, and to prevent trees from damaging your home, during the winter. If you’re in need of professional tree pruning or removal services in the Twin Cities metro, it may be in your best interest to consult certified arborists. Get in contact with Pro-Tree Outdoor Services today for any winter tree care services you require in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area!
