Tag inclement weather

The Best Way to Protect Your Trees From Freeze-Damage

by Texas Tree Surgeons Extreme Weather, Tree Health Care

Weather in Texas is a bit unpredictable, to the point we can predict it will be unpredictable. 

With 2021 winter storm and freeze have made everyone more aware and concerned about how to protect trees from freeze and the stress of extreme weather.

What can you do to help protect your trees from freeze damage?

We say this a lot but the best way to protect your trees from the effects of freeze is to water and use mulch. In addition, do not over-prune your trees.

Sounds so simple yet it often gets overlooked.

During winter people tend to think we do not need to water our trees because it is no longer hot. This isn’t true. Yes, it is cooler but your trees still need water. We are still in a drought.

If you need tips on how to water your tree you can find our video here: How to Water a Tree During a Drought

Mulch is always beneficial as long as it is done right. For best practices, you can find our blog here: How to Use Mulch

Why is watering and mulch so important?

Watering helps insulate the tree from freeze damage, I know it may sound counterintuitive but think of it this way. During a freeze, it is recommended to leave your faucets running to ensure they don’t freeze and burst. Same idea, it keeps the tree’s living system running and will help regulate your tree.

  • Drought-stressed plants are more at risk to cold damage.
  • Watering a couple of days prior to a freeze is beneficial for optimal plant uptake and utilization prior to a large drop in temperature.
  • Helps insulate both the tree and the soil. Out of the entire tree, roots are more susceptible to freezing if not adequately insulated by moist soil and mulch.

Mulch helps insulate the roots and provide additional nutrients. This makes a difference for urban trees because they are often in competition for resources with turf grass or surrounded by concrete. Trees in a forest are insulated by fallen leaves and tiny plants that serve as ground cover. Whatever we can do to help mimic what is found in a forest will always help the health of a tree.

  • This is especially helpful for young trees. Mulch helps retain moisture to insulate as well as protect from soil cracking that could encourage root dehydration.

Why is over-pruning your tree so harmful?

  • You are taking away its food source and essentially starving your tree. They have fewer leaves to help produce energy and will suffer more stress during harsh weather conditions. 
  • Without the extra foliage, you are exposing the tree. Think of the internal branches as a sweater and the saying; there is no bad weather, but bad clothes. The leaves help regulate temperature in the interior canopy. 
  • When there are leaves only on the tip of a branch and not down its entire length they are at higher risk of breaking due to wind. This is because it disrupts the load distribution of the branch. Evergreens are especially at risk of breaking due to ice if over-pruned. 

Additional information about sudden temperature change:

  • Temperature change is the least controllable environmental factor in landscapes.
  • Trees are more susceptible to injury if the temperature drops quickly rather than slowly over several days.
  • Trees can be injured or killed by low temperatures almost any season of the year, but the most critical periods are:
    • Quick extreme temperature fluctuations
    • The coldest portion of winter
    • When minimum temperature occur after a warm winter period even though plants had been at a maximum hardiness earlier (this is typical North Texas weather).
  • Avoid high nitrogen fertilization.

The best way to protect your tree from freeze damage is to water regularly, apply mulch, and do not over-prune.

If you have questions about what to do post-freeze damage please read our previous blogs:

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers, and we believe that the more people learn about their trees, the better we can serve our community. We hope this article has helped answer your questions about protecting trees from freeze damage. If you have any specific questions, let us know, and we’ll be happy to send an arborist out to evaluate your needs and offer our suggestions and expertise.

Are Trees Still Showing Signs of Freeze Damage? [May 2022 UPDATE]

by Texas Tree Surgeons Extreme Weather, Resources, Tree Health Care

Unfortunately for trees in North Texas, the effects of the February 2021 winter storm, often called “Winter Storm Uri” in the media, are still with us. The historically-low temperatures and winter precipitation in 2021 and the winter weather in February 2022 had a devastating impact on the health of trees and other vegetation and  recovery from those extreme conditions will take time. Common landscape trees in the DFW area, such as ash, live oaks, red oaks, wax myrtles, chinaberries, and Chinese tallow trees were some of the worst damaged by the freezing conditions and so the damage can still be seen in many parts of our community.

Different species and types of trees responded differently to the low temperatures.
Visit our previous posts for specific info:

My Tree Leafed Out in Spring 2022 but is Now Turning Brown. Is That Freeze Damage?

Due to the unprecedented nature of the winter weather in 2021 and 2022, it has been difficult to predict exactly how trees will respond and the nature and timing of any freeze-related decline.

  • Some species have seemed to bounce back from freeze damage only to show browning and die back after two or more growing seasons.

    • Red oaks and Japanese maples have been observed to leaf out in the spring as normal, only to start browning a few weeks later.

    • Unfortunately, once a tree’s canopy has completely browned or died, the tree may not be salvageable.

  • If a tree has partial browning or only some dead canopy:

    • Prune out the dead or dying sections

    • Follow good watering practices

    • Use soil amendments focused on increasing available nutrients

      • High nitrogen fertilizer is NOT recommended, as this can stimulate the tree to use up energy reserves to push new growth rather than increase overall health

A tree exhibiting severe freeze-thaw cracks. Even less drastic cracking can reduce a tree’s defenses against pests.

Should I Be Worried About Cracks in the Bark of My Trees?

Freeze-thaw cracks occur when rapid temperature swings cause the wood of a tree to swell and contract faster than normal. These cracks vary in size and severity. When the water inside a tree freezes, it can damage the tree’s vascular system, which moves nutrients throughout the entire tree. Widespread damage to the vascular system can lead to tree death.

Trees with freeze-thaw cracks need special care to encourage vascular system growth and nutrient availability.

  • Proper watering is essential.

  • Soil amendments and low nitrogen fertilizers can make additional nutrients readily accessible to the tree’s roots.

    • Fertilizing stressed and damaged trees must be done with care.

    • High nitrogen growth stimulators should be avoided.

  • Preventive insect treatment is recommended.

    • Cracks or other wounds in the bark are entry points for borer beetles and other pests.

    • Over time, the tree will be able to seal off (“compartmentalize”) the damaged sections, but this can be a slow process.

Why Does My Tree Have Large Dead Branches?

In cases where only parts of a tree were subject to severe frost damage, the main trunk may be free of freeze-thaw cracks or other issues while some large or small sections of the tree show browning and dieback. With rapid temperature swings and violent winter weather, a tree’s specific location and surroundings (such as nearby structures or other trees) can have a great impact on how the tree is affected. Because of this, trees of the same species on the same block may have shown wildly different responses to freezing weather. No matter the extent, it is best to remove dead and dying sections of the canopy and bolster the tree’s health with water and nutrients to give it the best chance to compartmentalize the dead and decayed sections and return to health.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! Recent extreme weather events present new challenges to our urban forest and it will likely be a few years before we have seen the full effects. Trees, by their nature, respond slowly to environmental changes and, if not properly cared for, can slide into a cycle of decline following storm damage or other severe weather. As we move into the heat of the summer our current drought conditions can worsen and accelerate tree decline and dieback. Now is the time to have one of our arborists evaluate your trees for their current needs and prescribe a health care plan to increase soil nutrient levels and manage insect activity. Contact us today!

How To Care For Trees During a Drought

by Texas Tree Surgeons Extreme Weather, Resources, Tree Health Care

With over 90% of Texas in drought conditions, water conservation measures are in effect over much of the state. Caring for our urban forest during a drought requires special attention to our watering practices to ensure that trees get the water they need and none is wasted.

Do I Really Need To Water My Trees? I Have a Sprinkler System!

Yes! Even if you have a sprinkler system or regularly water your lawn, you need to water your trees as well.

  • In-ground irrigation systems and hose-attached sprinklers are designed to provide water for turf grass and other ground cover.

    • Some sprinklers may be able to provide more water for small shrubs and bushes, but none of them are adequate to meet a mature tree’s water needs.

  • If a tree is not properly mulched, it may be in competition for water resources with other plants.

    • If there is artificial grass present, water and nutrients in the soil may be scarce.

  • Without adequate water, trees’ immune systems weaken, leading to increased susceptibility to disease and insects.

    • Repeated, long-term stress from lack of water can lead to a cycle of decline and tree death.

What is the Best Way to Water My Trees?

There are two main ways to get sufficient water to your trees: using a soaker hose or hand watering.

  • Soaker Hose

    • Recommended for ease of use and coverage

    • Make sure the hose can cover the entire root zone

      • Depending on the type, hoses can be arranged in circles or a spiral around the tree or in radial lines leading out from the trunk

    • Run the soaker hose long enough to wet the ground in the root area to a depth of 10-12 inches

    • Check the soil to see how long it retains moisture and only water after the soil has dried

      • Too much water can be as bad as too little

      • Generally, watering should be every 7-10 days

  • Hand Watering

    • Place a garden hose so that the outlet is 1-2 feet from the root flare of the tree

    • Turn on water enough to spread, but not so much that it puddles or streams away

    • Move hose around tree to ensure even watering of entire canopy area

    • As with soaker hoses, stop watering when soil is damp to a depth of 10-12 inches

    • Wait a few days and check soil moisture

      • Re-water when soil is dry to avoid excess dampness

  • Special Considerations

    • Some trees may require watering more often

      • Stressed/sick trees (such as by freeze damage or pest activity)

      • Non-native species

      • Recently-planted trees

    • During periods of wet weather, do not water too often

      • Excess soil moisture can cause rapid growth of harmful microorganisms

How Can I Help My Trees Retain Moisture in a Drought?

After watering, mulching is the most effective way to regulate tree moisture. Proper mulching helps regulate soil temperature, slows evaporation, and contributes to soil nutrients as it breaks down.

Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers and growth stimulators, as these can cause a tree to use up energy stores and require more water to maintain. Organic soil amendments and compost can be added to soil and mulch if needed.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! While the summer months can be fun, the drought conditions they often bring can be stressful to people and plants. Proper watering of our urban forest leads to healthy trees that can help regulate heat, provide shade, and keep the air fresh. Have questions about how best to care for your trees during drought? Contact us today!

It’s Time for Action on Freeze-Damaged Trees!

by Texas Tree Surgeons Events, Extreme Weather, Resources, Tree Health Care, Tree Removal

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees, and we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but if your tree has not recovered from the recent freeze, action needs to be taken soon. After the freeze in February 2021, many North Texas plants and trees were frost-damaged and unrecoverable. At the time, we recommended waiting until the summer to make a decision on removal, to give the damaged trees a chance to recover.

By this point in the year, if your trees have not leafed out, or leafed out and have since turned brown, and if your palms and other plants show no new green growth, it is time to re-evaluate them for removal. Time is of the essence when removing trees, as they can become more dangerous, difficult, and expensive to remove the longer they are left standing. Also, the chance of limb breakage and major structural failure greatly increases as dead trees are left in the ground, leading to a higher risk of injury to person or damage to property. As the spring rains give way to the summer heat, dead trees will start to dry out, reducing structural stability.

If on the other hand, your trees have at least 50% of their canopies, they may still recover. It is important to start soil amendments and proper watering to give these stressed trees a better chance of making it through the summer heat. NOTE: standard (high-nitrogen) fertilizer, such as lawn fertilizer, over-the-counter products, or weed and feed products are NOT recommended for freeze-stressed trees. Stressed trees need particular soil amendments and nutrients. Contact us today to find out what your trees need!

Trees with at least half of the canopy remaining should be treated with soil amendments and proper watering.

Read More About Proper Fertilization

Read More About Watering

What To Do

Why Were Some Trees Hit Harder Than Others?

  • Underlying issues and stressors
  • Age
  • Tree location with respect to the storm front
    • Shelter from buildings or other trees

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees, and while we hate to have to remove them, we are committed to sustainability and recycle our wood waste through our sister company Burn This Firewood. We also offset our tree removals by partnering with local and international organizations dedicated to replanting and reforestation.

What To Do With Freeze-Damaged Ash and Elm Trees

by Texas Tree Surgeons Extreme Weather, Resources, Tree Health Care

The information in this article applies only to certain types of trees, such as elms, ashes, figs, crape myrtles, and even some other landscape plants like loropetalum. For information on what to do with your oaks or palm trees, see our other articles:

Oaks Looking Bad?

Will Palms Survive?

As with oaks, many species of trees, such as ash and elm, were severely damaged or killed by the freezing weather in February 2021. Even if your tree has not leafed out, or shown only sparse growth, there may be another option besides replacing it.

What Can You Do? Watch For New Sprouts!

  • Trees that have died from the ground up may still have living root systems.
    • If the tree cannot support the old growth, the energy in the roots may be directed to putting up new shoots around the base of the tree.
  • These new tree shoots have a great advantage over transplanted trees, as they are growing from a well-established root system.
    • While the new sprouts start out small, their growth will be supported by robust roots.
    • Local tree farm stocks are depleted after the storm, so it may be hard to find a suitable replacement.
    • Even with stump grinding, a transplanted tree should not be planted in the same place at the old tree.

Tree in North Texas showing extensive above-ground dieback and new growth from the roots.

Tree with extensive above-ground dieback showing new growth from the roots.

Remove The Dead Tree Carefully

  •  If you want to encourage the new sprouts into maturing into full trees, they must be protected from damage.
  • When removing the freeze-damaged tree, take care not to disturb any shoots growing around the base of the trunk.
    • Do not grind the stump, as this will destroy the established root system.
  • As the sprouts mature, begin to remove some of them, leaving one or two main shoots.
    • Once the main shoots are a year old, you can select one to continue cultivating and remove the others.
  • If you have a tree, such as an ash, that is threatened by insect or disease activity, consult an ISA Certified Arborist to ensure that preventative action is taken, if needed.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The freeze of February 2021, like storms and tornadoes before it, will alter our North Texas urban forest in many ways. As we continue to monitor the response of trees and plants, we will continue to keep our community and customers informed, so that they have all the information necessary to take the best care of their trees. We are always happy to answer any questions you have about your trees freeze-damaged or not, so contact an arborist today!

Can Palm Trees Survive Freezing Weather?

by Texas Tree Surgeons Extreme Weather, Resources, Tree Health Care

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community. While we don’t want to sound negative or cause unnecessary concern, the recent freezing weather has likely damaged most palm trees in North Texas beyond hope of survival. 

  • If your palm fronds are totally brown and drooping, with no green visible, the palm is almost certainly dead and needs to be removed quickly before decay causes it to become a falling hazard. 
  • If your palm still has some green fronds, it may be salvageable, but will require long-term fertilization and care. Fronds that are already brown will, unfortunately, not recover, but new fronds can grow to replace them over time.

Contact us today to have an ISA Certified Arborist evaluate your palms.

Palms with completely brown or drooping fronds are most likely dead and need to be removed.

Palms that were sheltered by buildings may not have been completely frozen and could be salvageable.

Can Palm Trees Survive Being Frozen?

  • Unfortunately, once the center, or “heart,” of a palm tree has been frozen, nothing can be done to salvage it.
    • Unlike most trees, palms are not able to easily handle disease and damage or repair wounds.
  • If a freeze is only partial, some palm material may survive and be able to grow, but the damaged areas will never recover.
    • Brown, drooping fronds can be removed or left to fall on their own.
    • If a palm survives, new fronds will grow, but it will take time for them to grow to the size of the mature fronds.
  • If all of the fronds on a palm are brown, yellow, drooping, or fallen, the palm is not salvageable.

What Should I Do If My Palm Is Dead?

  • When dealing with frost-damaged palm trees, it is best to act quickly.
    • As the weather warms up, the dead tissue can quickly decay, causing structural instability.
    • If a palm has begun to lean from the middle of the trunk, or the top is bent, the decay has already started.
  • Removing dead palms quickly is essential to preventing damage that could be caused when they fall.
    • As a palm rots from the inside, it can become impossible to safely remove it.

Fluid leaking from areas of the main palm trunk is a sure sign of internal decay necessitating swift removal.

Do Any Palm Trees Grow Well in North Texas?

  • Palm “trees” (they are actually more closely-related to grass than trees) are not adapted to cold weather.
    • Areas where palms are native have mild winters and few, if any, freezes.
  • When palms are imported to other environments, like North Texas, they rarely thrive.
    • There are some varieties of palms that are more cold-hardy, but even those types of palm trees will suffer great losses after a hard freeze.
    • The soil type over much of DFW is not suitable for most palms.
      • To keep palms healthy, regular fertilization with specially-formulated palm food is essential.
    • Even when the environment is adapted to properly-nourish palms, the weather patterns are not palm-friendly.
      • While the summer heat in North Texas is no great threat to palms, problems arise during the colder, wetter periods.
      • Many palms can weather shorter periods of freezing temperatures, long, hard freezes, like we had in February 2021, can devastate palms large and small.
At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! Plants and trees all over North Texas were damaged in the recent freeze, and we hope to save as many as we can. Unfortunately for many, their palms will have to be removed because of the extent of the frost damage. Contact us today to have one of our ISA Certified Arborists evaluate your palms and arrange for their removal, before they decay and safe removal is impossible.