Wrapping Trees For Winter Protection

Young, thin barked trees need protection from animals and weather, especially during winter. Tree wraps are a great way to keep them safe in the cold and protect the trunk from getting scalded by the sun.

Once the leaves fall off newly planted trees in the autumn, it leaves the trunk fully exposed to the sun. On sunny winter days, the sun’s rays will heat the trunk to high temperatures. Then, when the sun sets, the trunk will rapidly cool down. This will cause the bark to crack and damage the tree.

Trees should be wrapped for at least their first two winters, until their bark develops texture. Sensitive trees such as maple, linden, mountain ash, honeylocust, apple, crabapple, cherry and plum will benefit from protection for their first five winters.