One of the joys of planting a new tree is getting to experience all the “firsts.” The first spring bud break, the first fall color change, or the first flush of tasty fruit.
And then there’s your tree’s first few winters. Frankly, they can be tough to get through. Young trees are much more vulnerable to cold weather damage than mature ones, so they need extra help from you to bear the elements.
Below, get tips on protecting newly planted trees and shrubs from frost damage.
Best Way To Protect Trees From Frost
The key to protecting newly planted trees from winter damage is shielding them from harsh elements—from the top of the canopy down to the roots.
Fruit trees and any trees with thin bark are especially vulnerable to an issue called sun-scald. During a warm winter day, tree bark heats up, causing the tissue under the bark to take a quick break from dormancy. But as soon as the sun sets and freezing temperatures swoop in, that tissue under the bark freezes to death. As a result, large, sunken areas develop on the bark.
And, sadly, the damage doesn’t stop there. Freezing temps can also damage a fruit tree’s buds, making it harder for the tree to produce fruit next spring.
But, if you’re proactive, protecting young fruit trees in the winter is possible. Before temperatures drop, do this:
- Wrap the tree’s trunk with a plastic tree guard or any other opaque protective tree wrap you find at your garden store. This will protect the tree from sun scald.
- Use a frost shield for fruit trees, also known as an anti-transparent. Spraying fruit tree canopies with frost shield coats the tree with a protective film that helps minimize moisture loss.
How To Protect Newly Planted Shrubs From Frost
Oftentimes we plant shrubs to create a privacy screen around our yards. But of course, those shrubs need to be in good health to do their job!
Protect shrubs against winter injury by taking these few steps in the fall:
- Thoroughly water your shrubs all the way up until the ground freezes. Here’s how much water newly planted trees and shrubs need.
- Seal in moisture by covering your shrub’s bed in a 2-to-4-inch layer of mulch.
- Wrap shrubs in loose material like burlap to shield them from harsh wind. Here are two ways to wrap your shrubs before winter.
What Temperature To Cover Plants
Most plants are just fine as long as the temperature is 30 degrees F or higher. Freeze damage can happen when the temperature drops down to the mid-to-low-twenties, and plants are definitely at risk when temps sink under 20 degrees.
To be safe, protect your plants with tree guards or burlap before the temperature is consistently below 30 degrees.
How To Protect Plants From A Late Frost
No trees respond well to a sudden temperature drop, but newly planted trees can really take a hit if mild springtime elements abruptly turn cold. (If you didn’t know, here’s why trees do not appreciate fluctuating temperatures.)
Planning ahead, and having tools like mulch and burlap on hand, can help with the shock of a late spring frost. To protect trees and shrubs from a sudden shift in weather, follow these steps:
- Keep an eye on the forecast to track any expected drops in temperature.
- The day before a freezing day, thoroughly water your plant.
- Mulch to lock in moisture and prevent frost heaving. In a nutshell, frost heaving is when soil thaws and freezes over and over, causing roots to lift up above ground and become exposed to injuring, cold weather. This is a particular problem for young trees during their first couple winters, since their roots are still shallow.
- For extra protection, carefully cover the plant with burlap (here’s how!) or a bed sheet if it’s small enough. Be sure to remove that cover first thing the next morning so your plant doesn’t overheat.
When To Remove Tree Wrap
Protective tree wraps aren’t meant to stay on all year. Here’s how you know it’s time to take off tree wrap in spring.
FAQs
Mulch protects your tree's soil from frost and helps retain water so your tree's root system receives adequate moisture. Remember not to let the mulch touch your tree's trunk. Wrapping. Newly planted or young trees, as well as trees with thinner bark, can benefit from a little winter tree protection.
How do you protect newly planted trees from frost? ›
Best Way To Protect Trees From Frost
- Wrap the tree's trunk with a plastic tree guard or any other opaque protective tree wrap you find at your garden store. This will protect the tree from sun scald.
- Use a frost shield for fruit trees, also known as an anti-transparent.
Cover Plants – Protect plants from all but the hardest freeze (28°F for five hours) by covering them with sheets, towels, blankets, cardboard or a tarp. You can also invert baskets, coolers or any container with a solid bottom over plants. Cover plants before dark to trap warmer air.
How do you cover a tree to protect from frost? ›
Acute action before freezing weather:
Cover susceptible trees and plants with burlap, sheets, tarps, etc., that extend to the ground to trap in the earth's accumulated warmth. Use a frame or stakes to minimize contact between the cover and the foliage. Bring potted plants and trees to more protected locations.
Will frost hurt newly planted shrubs? ›
Keep in mind that newly planted shrubs and trees might experience more freeze damage than older, healthy plants with a more established root system. Plants in pots are more susceptible to damage than ones planted in the ground.
What is the fastest way to protect plants from frost? ›
1. Bring potted plants indoors. There are many quick ways for how to protect plants from frost, and among the easiest is to bring potted plants indoors, especially tender container plants. Potted plants are more susceptible to frost damage because they don't have the insulated benefits of of those planted in the ground ...
Should I water trees and shrubs before a freeze? ›
If it is not going to rain before the freezing temperatures arrive, you should water plants thoroughly. This is because moist ground stays warmer than dry ground. Watering the night before the freeze arrives will insulate the root structure of the grass and plants, decreasing the potential for cold injury.
Will a garbage bag protect plants from frost? ›
This is definitely not the best idea. Plastic or vinyl materials are normally too thin to provide adequate insulation and since they do not breathe, moisture can get trapped inside. If temperatures drop low enough, this moisture will freeze on your plants, causing more harm than good.
Do new shrubs need to be covered for frost? ›
Freezing and thawing can heave newly planted trees and shrubs from the ground, causing damage to their root systems. Applying two inches of woodchips or straw over the root zone will insulate the soil and protect the root.
What not to cover plants with for frost? ›
Plastic that touches your plants can often be even worse than no protection since it can hold moisture against plant tissues and cause more serious freeze damage.
Wrap a tree trunk only if a nursery guarantee requires it, if the tree species is susceptible to winter sun scald damage on the trunk, or dur- ing the time that the tree is being transported and needs protection from mechanical damage.
When to cover newly planted trees? ›
When is it Time to Cover Your Trees? Most saplings will be fine in temperatures 35° or higher. Young trees are at risk of damage from the cold when temperatures hit the lower thirties. To keep your new trees out of harm's way, cover your trees if temperatures consistently fall below 35° degrees.
What is the best way to cover a tree? ›
Wrap your trees using Kraft paper, starting at the base and winding the paper up to the first major branch. Or, place white plastic tree guards around the trunks (below). This protection will reflect the rays of the sun off the trunk, keeping it cool.
Can shrubs survive frost? ›
Frost damage will occur when ice crystals form within plant tissue, damaging their cells. Shrubs used in the correct agriculture zone should be able to readily withstand your climate's winter conditions. However, plants that are not completely hardy to an area may experience damage from winter conditions.
Can newly planted perennials survive frost? ›
If temperatures are cold enough, especially below 26°F to 28°F, then damage could occur. Freezing temperatures may damage or destroy the newly emerged foliage of perennials, however, their roots and crowns should be unharmed.
What temperature is too cold to plant shrubs? ›
Insert the thermometer down into the soil for a few days in a row. If the soil consistently measures 50° F or higher, it's safe to plant your deciduous tree or shrub. But, if the soil test proves the ground is too cold, plan to plant during the upcoming spring or fall seasons instead.
Can newly planted trees survive frost? ›
Most saplings will be fine in temperatures 35° or higher. Young trees are at risk of damage from the cold when temperatures hit the lower thirties. To keep your new trees out of harm's way, cover your trees if temperatures consistently fall below 35° degrees.
Do I need to cover new trees from frost? ›
Protecting your new trees from freezing temperatures is crucial to their survival. If left unprotected, your trees can face life-threatening damage, so it is important to do what you can to keep them healthy and thriving despite freezing weather events.
Do I need to cover new plants from frost? ›
Visible signs of frost damage usually occur within two to three days and include browned, mushy leaves and buds. To protect your new plants, trees and flowers from frost and freezing weather, you'll need to cover them or if you're able to, bring them inside your home or garage to prevent freezing.
How do you protect a newly planted tree? ›
Wood-chip mulch can nearly double growth in the first few years by protecting tree roots from extreme weather, preserving soil moisture, eliminat- ing grass and weed competition and preventing damage from mowers and weed trimmers. Apply a layer of wood-chip mulch 2-4 inches thick to a diameter of 3-4 feet.
