The importance of winter watering
Winter watering is critical to the continued health of your trees come the spring, especially evergreen trees. A well thought out plan for fall and winter watering with help condition a tree – reducing its reliance on large amounts of water in the heart of the growing season.
It’s important to remember that tree roots continue to grow throughout the winter season and require moisture in order to do so. A good rule of thumb is to water one to two times per month from October through March. Make sure the ground is not frozen and apply the same amount of water as you would during the regular growing season.
What is desiccation?
Desiccation is often defined as a state of extreme dryness. Common during the winter months, desiccation can be damaging to evergreen trees and shrubs, which don’t typically drop their leaves or needles in the fall in preparation for colder temperatures.
Plant roots are unable to obtain the necessary water when the soil begins to freeze. In order to survive, they begin using all the water stored in their leaves, stems, small branches and needles. The resulting water deficit will cause browning, scorching and may lead to the shedding of some or all of their leaves and needles prematurely.
Anti-desiccant Spray – This spray application (applied directly to leaves and needles) provides a protective coating, which helps reduce the amount of water that escapes during drier months.
In areas with harsh winters, applications are done twice – once in November/December and again in February. More moderate winters will only require one application in December or January. By early spring, the product will have completely washed or worn away, with no residual injury done to the tree.
Left untreated, the damage will stunt new growth leaving trees and shrubs with an unhealthy, sparse appearance.
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