Trees require extra TLC in the winter

By Bev Johnson | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, December 15, 2007

Oh, look, it's snowing again. We definitely will have a white Christmas this year. The evergreens look so pretty with the snow on their branches.

That is, until the snow load starts breaking those branches.

So what should you do? First, do not beat the snot out of them. You think you should take the broom and brush them down.

Nope.

Use your broom to gently lift the branches to get the snow off. Putting more pressure from the broom or bat or whatever you grab, just adds to the weight on the branch making it much more apt to crack or even break off.

Trees don't heal this time of year, so you are setting the poor thing up for disease or bug invasion in the spring.

Most deciduous trees easily shake off snow, but if they don't, just wiggle the stem a bit and the snow will all come down and slide down the collar of your jacket. At least it's off the tree.

Of course, if the tree is 100 years old, this will not work, but that tree has dealt with snow and ice for a long time.

Heavy ice will break branches even if you shake some of it off.

Be very careful after an ice storm, as branches can fall on you with just a bit of wind. Tempting as it is to go out and get it off the trees, if you have large trees, stay away from them until the ice comes off by itself.

Christmas trees may be harder to find this year. Three years of very dry summers have killed many new plantings and even some of the older trees. Evergreens seem to grow best in sandy soil, and sand does not hold moisture.

Keep a close eye on your houseplants this time of year.

Our dry, hot houses are not the best climate for them. They may break out in spider mites, aphids or fungus gnats that have been biding their time just waiting for the plant to be stressed enough to attack.

Usually a good strong blast of water will get rid of many pests.

Then you can spray them to finish the job. If they are too infested, give them a trip to the porch in minus below weather, rather than take a chance that your other plants will get "buggy."

Enjoy the snow, but don't overdo the shoveling. Save the energy for next summer's gardening.