Yearly Archives: 2021

How to Care for a Tree Before, During, and After a Deep Freeze

North Texas is in for some very cold weather.

Did you know? It is highly important to water your trees before deep freezes. Be sure to use a deep-watering method to water your trees within 24 to 48 hours of a deep freeze to protect their root systems.

It’s common for Winter damage or winter burn to occur during these longer-term freezing temperatures. Most often the damage is cosmetic, and the leaves drop off and be replaced with new growth in the spring. Sometimes pruning is necessary to remove brown, dead, or broken stems or branches. Although the damage may look bad, many tree species are quite resilient. With proper care, a healthy tree without irreparable damage will likely bounce back. Here are a few things you may see with your trees.

Leaf Scorch 

  • Symptoms are most severe on evergreens such as Hollies, Magnolias and Live Oaks.
  • Most damage will occur during winter, but most symptoms will be observed before spring as new growth appears.

 

 

Blighting or Browning of New Growth

  • Warm temperatures in protected areas in February and March may stimulate buds, flowers, or shoots into growth too early.
  • Subsequent cold weather and frosts will kill young buds and tender new growth resulting in fewer flowers and later leaf development.
  • Frozen tissue damage frequently appears as blackened buds and leaves that may also drop off.
  • Pruning out remaining bare branches will help stimulate new growth later in the spring.

Branch Dieback and Leaf Yellowing

  • These symptoms occur from sunscald, frost cracks, root damage, and cold weather following a warm spell.
  • Frost cracks can occur during the winter on exposed bark, usually on the west side of a trunk or limb, where warming and subsequent rapid cooling causes expansion and contraction of tissues resulting in cracks.

Ice and Snow Damage

  • Symptoms include bent or broken branches from the heavyweight of the ice or snow.
  • Heavy snow can be gently knocked from branches but iced-over branches may actually be more brittle and suffer further damage if removal is attempted.
  • Wind during ice storms will cause the most damage.
  • You can clear ice and snow from small trees and shrubs if you can reach them from the ground. Use a broom to gently knock off snow and ice. If it doesn’t come off easily, leave it alone. Please don’t whack the branches when they’re brittle with the winter cold.

Winter Color of Evergreens 

  • Symptoms of “winter color” can include gray, yellow, brown, and bronze leaves or needles.
  • Causes of ‘winter color’ can include low temperatures and drought stress. Often, the foliage colors will revert back to normal when springtime temperatures return to normal.

What NOT to do After a Snow & Ice Storm:

  • Don’t go near a tree that is in contact with utility lines, and don’t attempt to remove the tree yourself. Ice is dangerous! Electricity passes through it, people of all ages and physical conditions slip and fall on it, and only trained professionals should use power tools when it’s icy.
  • Don’t stand under a snow- and ice-loaded tree, even if you have a hard hat. A lot of emergency room visits are caused by underestimating risk. Let the snow and ice melt naturally and watch from a safe distance.
  • Don’t shake branches to get snow and ice off. Falling snow and particularly falling ice are unpredictable and heavier than you think.

 

Can Squirrels Really Grow Trees?

Squirrels Help Grow Texas TreesEvery March before the leaves on the trees budded out, my dad would drop me off at his mom’s house for a down and dirty spring cleaning of her yard. Granny Halley was a kind, wise, and generous old wrinkly woman who always greeted me with a massive hug and a wet kiss on my forehead. I would return her love with a hug and a loud “I love you too Halley.” (more…)

Selecting Trees and Ongoing Management

selecting a tree from fanning tree farm

Planting a tree is more than digging a hole and setting a tree.  It requires proper selection and planning.  A tree that is planted in the correct location, can be one of the most valuable assets in your garden. If properly cared for, the tree will provide many benefits that could be shared from one generation to the next. When selecting trees, it’s important to know what you are trying to achieve.

The first thing to do is to assess your site.

  • What type of soil do you have?
  • Do you have enough space to plant a tree in the location you are considering?
  • Does this location have good drainage?
  • How far away from the foundation am I am going to plant this tree?
  • How much sunlight does this location receive?
  • Are there any overhead utility lines that may limit your tree selection?
  • Are there any site restrictions?
  • If planting in the back garden, how wide are my gates? Can I remove my fence to allow for a larger tree?

Once you have assessed your site, consider what you are trying to achieve.

  • Privacy
  • Aesthetics
  • Flowering
  • Fall color
  • Shade
  • Wind break

When planting a tree in a specific location, ask a tree specialist about the size of the tree at maturity. If planting multiple trees, consider spacing the trees 25 to 30 feet apart. If you are planting a large stature tree, try to plant about 25-feet away from your foundation or more.

Now that you have assessed your site and know what you are trying to achieve, its time to take some photos of the planting location.  Bring these photos into a nursery and discuss your objectives with a tree specialist.

Tree Specialists

While meeting with a tree specialist, ask them to show you trees that are best suited for your site that also achieve your goal. We advise our clients to ask us about the species and watering requirements. It is good to know if the tree you are considering is in a dry climate, moist environment, or moderate water-loving species? You may also ask if this tree will grow in my soils? Some trees prefer well-drained soils, so planting a dry climate species in a location that stays wet, might not be the best idea. If you have a soil with a high pH, consider a tree that will grow in an alkaline soil.

At the Nursery

While at the nursery, assess the tree before you make a decision. Look at the base of the tree to inspect the root collar. This is sometimes referred to as the root flare. It should resemble the base of a wine glass that tapers outward.

If you are looking for an upright tree, evaluate the tree for good branch structure. A tree with a central leading branch is a good indicator it will grow upright. Then assess the trunk to make sure there are no major scars or damages that jeopardize the health of the tree.

If you are looking to plant a tree for aesthetics, consider the orientation of the tree. Make sure the tree will fit the space. Trees like Live Oaks and Chinese Pistache are naturally oriented to grow wide.  Then there are trees like Red Oaks, Cedar Elms and Hybrid Maples that grow upright and provide height in your garden. Remember to look for overhead utility lines. If you have power lines that are located above the planting location, consider planting a small or medium-sized tree.

Sometimes we plant trees for shading a home to reduce energy bills. If this is the case, consider planting the tree on the west side of the home. You may consider a deciduous tree (drops its leaves in the winter) to reduce the amount of energy used to heat your home.

Last but not least ask the tree specialist for a watering and care guide.  Thoroughly review the guide and discuss any areas of concern with the specialist.  If you are confused about ongoing care for your tree, consider hiring a certified arborist for tree maintenance.

At Fannin Tree Farm we have a large inventory of trees that grow well in the Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Come by and see our selection and meet with one of our tree specialists.  We have a great team of knowledgeable experts that are ready to help you find trees that will last for generations.  Give us a call at 972-747-9233 and ask to talk to a tree specialist.

Over 35 Years of providing quality trees for Texans

Get a Quote Today