Protect Your Trees & Shrubs from Frost, Wind, and Salt Damage
Winter can be one of the toughest seasons for your landscape. While your lawn goes dormant, your trees and shrubs remain exposed to cold temperatures, drying winds, and road salt—factors that can cause significant stress and long-term damage. Taking steps now to protect your plants will help them survive winter in better condition and thrive once spring arrives.
Here’s how to protect your trees and shrubs from frost, harsh winds, and salt exposure.
1. Protect Against Frost Damage
Sudden temperature drops, morning frost, and freeze-thaw cycles can severely damage delicate plants. Young trees, newly planted shrubs, evergreens, and broadleaf plants are especially vulnerable.
The best way to protect frost-sensitive plants:
- Wrap them with burlap or frost cloth. This creates insulation while still allowing airflow, preventing moisture buildup.
- Avoid using plastic, which traps moisture and can cause foliage to freeze.
- Water before hard freezes. Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and can help protect roots from sudden temperature changes.
Wrapping vulnerable plants ensures they retain warmth and are shielded from the harshest winter conditions.
2. Guard Trees & Shrubs from Strong Winter Winds
Cold, dry winds can rob trees and shrubs of essential moisture—a problem known as winter burn. This often affects evergreens, causing brown or scorched-looking foliage.
To protect plants from wind damage:
- Use burlap screens around evergreens or newly installed shrubs.
- Mulch around the base to help roots retain moisture.
- Prune damaged or weak branches in fall so they don’t break under winter stress.
Strategically placed wind barriers can make a huge difference—especially in open landscapes or properties facing heavy winds.
3. Prevent Salt Damage from Roads and Walkways
Rock salt and deicing products can be extremely harmful to plants. When salt-laden snow melts, the salty water seeps into the soil, disrupting water uptake and causing dehydration in roots.
To prevent salt damage:
- Create physical barriers like burlap walls or snow fencing along roadside trees and shrubs.
- Use calcium chloride or pet-safe deicers when possible—they are less damaging than rock salt.
- Flush the soil in early spring to help wash away built-up salts.
Salt exposure can lead to stunted growth, leaf scorch, and even plant death—so protecting plants now prevents expensive replacements later.
4. Add Mulch for Root Insulation
Mulch acts as a winter blanket for your plants. A 2–3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of trees and shrubs helps:
- Insulate roots from freezing temperatures
- Prevent moisture loss
- Reduce soil erosion
- Minimize weed growth
Be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to avoid rot and pest issues.
Trees and shrubs are long-term investments in your property’s beauty and value. Giving them proper winter protection keeps them healthy, reduces stress, and ensures they return full and vibrant in the spring. Perennial Lawn Care’s Ornamental Tree & Shrub Care program delivers precision protective services, so your plants receive the specialized attention they need through winter and beyond. Contact us today to learn more about our seasonal services!
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