Protect your Long Island landscape investment with proper winter tree and shrub wrapping techniques and timing guidance from local experts.
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Not every tree and shrub in your yard needs winter wrapping. Most shrubs typically don’t require winter protection, with only tender shrubs, broadleaf evergreens, or young plants needing shelter from the cold. The key is understanding which plants are vulnerable in Suffolk County’s climate zone.
Trees should be wrapped for at least their first two winters until their bark develops texture, while sensitive species benefit from protection for their first five winters. Evergreens like Alberta spruce, Serbian spruce, hemlock, yew and arborvitae are particularly susceptible to winter desiccation, making them prime candidates for protection.
Young plants and newly planted specimens face the biggest risk because their root systems haven’t fully established yet. These plants can’t access deep soil moisture when the ground freezes, leaving them vulnerable to dehydration during sunny winter days.
We emphasize timing – wrap trees in late fall after temperatures have dropped but before the first hard frost. Here in Suffolk County, this typically means starting your wrapping process in late October to mid-November, depending on the weather patterns that year.
Waiting until late fall is ideal since that’s when the shrub has gone dormant after experiencing several hard frosts consistently. If you wrap too early in the season, heat can get trapped, and fungal issues might begin to emerge. You want your plants to enter their natural dormancy period before adding protective barriers.
Watch your local weather forecast closely as November approaches. Plan to wrap your shrubs’ trunks before the first hard freeze and unwrap them after the final frost of spring. If you’re unsure about timing, it’s better to wrap a week too early than a day too late when it comes to protecting your valuable landscape plants.
The removal timing is equally important. Generally, the rule of thumb is to keep tree wrap on from November to April. Removing wraps in early spring is equally important to prevent moisture buildup, mold, and insect infestations. Don’t leave wraps on longer than necessary, as this can actually harm your plants.
Thin-barked species like maple, birch, fruit trees, and honey locust are highly susceptible to winter damage and gain the most from wrapping. These trees are particularly vulnerable to sunscald, which occurs when winter sun heats the bark during the day, followed by rapid cooling at night.
Some plants like Japanese maples, boxwoods, junipers, and arborvitae need a little extra help to make it through winter. Broadleaf evergreens face unique challenges because they keep their leaves through winter but can’t replace moisture lost to wind and sun when their roots are frozen in the ground.
Newly planted trees and shrubs, regardless of species, benefit from winter protection during their first few growing seasons. Their root systems haven’t had time to establish deep enough to access unfrozen soil moisture, making them vulnerable to winter desiccation.
Plants located near roads or walkways face additional challenges from road salt and de-icing chemicals. Wraps help shield them from road salt and de-icing chemicals that can damage or kill plants over time. Consider the specific location and exposure of each plant when deciding what needs protection.
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Burlap fabric is a great material for tree wrapping because it provides good protection without suffocating the tree. The most common tree wrapping materials include polypropylene fabric, burlap, corrugated cardboard, and paper products. Each material has its place depending on what type of protection your plants need.
Burlap is more breathable than plastic, making it a better option when your plants need air circulation, while plastic can trap more heat. For most applications in Suffolk County, burlap provides the ideal balance of protection and breathability.
Use commercially available tree wraps, burlap, or breathable fabric specifically designed for winter protection. Avoid plastic wrap, which traps moisture and prevents airflow. The goal is protection, not suffocation.
Start by measuring the height of the tree trunk you want to wrap. Cut a piece of burlap that is long enough to wrap around the trunk with some overlap. The width should be wide enough to cover the trunk comfortably.
Position the burlap around the trunk, making sure it covers the entire circumference. Wrap the burlap around the trunk firmly but not too tightly. Leave some space between the burlap and the trunk to allow for airflow and growth.
Secure the burlap in place using twine or rope. Start at the top of the burlap and work your way down, tying knots every few inches to keep the burlap from unraveling. Start at the base of the tree, wrapping upward to just below the first major branches. Overlap each layer slightly for coverage. Secure the wrap with string, twine, or tape without constricting the trunk.
For evergreen shrubs, you have two main options. Loosely wrap burlap all the way around the tree, from the lowest branches to slightly above the highest peak. Pin the burlap temporarily, cut from the spool and remove pins. To secure, use twine to tie the top, middle and bottom of the tree. Alternatively, grab three wooden stakes that are slightly taller than the tree. Place one stake in front, one on the side that gets the most wind, and the final one on either side to form a triangle. Stretch burlap across the stakes and secure with staples to create a protective fence around your tree.
Leaving wraps on too long or wrapping too tightly can trap moisture against the bark, promoting fungal growth, mold, and rot. It’s crucial to remove wraps in early spring as temperatures warm. This is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make.
Do not wrap your trees too early or you will rob them of precious sunshine and may run the risk of creating a nice winter den for rodents. Timing matters as much as technique when it comes to effective plant protection.
Tightly wrapped trunks can constrict growth and damage the bark. Wraps should be snug but not compressing, allowing the tree to expand naturally. Think of wrapping like putting on a loose jacket, not a tight sweater.
Avoid using plastic at all costs since it can trap moisture and lead to a plethora of new problems like rot and fungal diseases. While plastic might seem like it would provide better protection, it actually creates more problems than it solves.
Another common mistake is assuming that wrapping alone provides complete winter protection. We stress that wraps are just one component of comprehensive tree care, which should include proper watering, mulching, pruning, and species selection. Make sure you’re taking a holistic approach to winter plant care.
While many homeowners can handle basic plant wrapping, complex landscapes or valuable specimen plants often benefit from professional attention. Understanding your plants’ specific needs, proper timing, and correct techniques takes experience that comes from working with Long Island’s unique climate conditions year after year.
Plan to spend about 10 to 30 minutes per shrub to fully wrap and prepare it for winter, which can add up quickly if you have multiple plants that need protection. Professional services can handle the entire process efficiently while ensuring each plant gets the specific type of protection it needs.
If you’re dealing with large trees, multiple specimens, or valuable landscape investments, consider reaching out to us at Rolling Hills Property Services Inc. We understand the specific challenges plants face in Suffolk County and can provide comprehensive winter protection services tailored to your property’s needs.
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