Cedar Hedge Protection Throughout Kelowna’s Winter

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Dennis Slade

Heavy snowfall is upon us this time of year. Intermittent flakes don’t pose much of a threat to your evergreens; however, large dumps of snow can wreak havoc on young trees and even established branches. Hedgehog Cedar Pros in Kelowna has some great tips and tricks to help you maximize the longevity of your hedge this winter season.

Mulching Your Base

Placing a substantial layer of mulch around the base of the trees (10 to 15 mm) during the fall is ideal for extra root protection around the trunk base. This helps to protect precious surface roots from harsh temperatures and damaging windburn. Insulating the base of your evergreens allows excess moisture to become trapped for thirsty trees to become available during the first thaw. Rodents and pests will have much farther to travel prior to being able to access the lifeline of your trees as well.

Wrapping Your New Evergreens

First year trees can often benefit from a gentle wrapping. Burlap is a popular choice, as are certain breathable landscape cloths. The trick here is to ensure a gentle enveloping and not to bind your branches too tightly. It is essential to protect from the elements while enabling adequate airflow and circulation around your branches within the closed space. Hedgehogs Cedar Pros reminds clients that binding too tightly can leave ligature marks on your tender branches and cause a host of issues that can negatively affect future growth. It takes a few years for root systems to become established and those who live in a fluctuating climate such as the Okanagan can benefit greatly from wrapping their trees for the first few winters. Use two layers of burlap to gently protect your trees from salt damage if they are exposed due to close proximity to the road.

Cedar Hedges: How To Wrap Your Trees

Bamboo stakes are strong and excellent for any kind of weather. Simply place two stakes on either side of your tree and make in an upside down ‘V’ frame, or use 3 stakes for a tepee style and wrap your burlap around these stakes. You can use clothespins or clips to secure the fabric and minimize the amount of burlap that comes into contact with the branches. Depending on which direction your evergreens face and the wind and sun patterns in the area, you may make adjustments. Much of the damage over the winter occurs from wind, salt and snow. It is vital to protect your curbside trees if you are on a busy street that uses salt or copious aggregate, as this can accumulate and leach into your soil. Brown foliage can signify excessive dehydration or wind or sun damage. If you were unable to give your evergreens some solid hydration in the fall, prepare to start watering early in the spring to enhance their recovery.

Hedgehogs Cedar Pros: Kelowna Lawn Solutions

We are happy to help you love your yard Kelowna! Experienced, professional and courteous, we are here to answer any concerns you may have. Keeping your perimeter green is great to look at and wonderful for the entire family and planet to enjoy! We look forward to helping you keep your evergreens in tiptop shape throughout every season!