protecting young trees during cold snap - test - Ask Extension
I planted a number of young native trees & shrubs this past fall (both bare-root and pot grown). Normally I wouldn't worry about them during the ...
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protecting young trees during cold snap - test #891808
Asked January 22, 2025, 11:15 AM EST
I planted a number of young native trees & shrubs this past fall (both bare-root and pot grown). Normally I wouldn't worry about them during the cold weather but we are experiencing extreme cold this week (Howard County, MD). Is it necessary to try to protect them by wrapping in burlap/covering w a sheet/etc or if they are native to this area can I assume they will survive? If protection is advised, is it too late to do so (after already several days of near zero temperatures)? I'm not worried about loss of blooms, just survival. Thanks!
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
You shouldn't need to give them extra protection if they're in the ground (in pots, the roots would be more vulnerable to cold damage). Checking on soil moisture before a freeze can help the plant stay hydrated (as they cannot absorb enough water once the surface soil layers freeze), so during the next thaw, you can monitor the soil moisture around a 4 to 6-inch depth in the root zone to replenish moisture if needed.
A burlap or fabric wrap probably won't provide much insulation, though it would cut down on wind exposure for evergreens prone to winterburn (Inkberry Holly, or a young American Holly, for example). Winterburn primarily results from insufficient root moisture, so while a branch wrap will reduce wind evaporation of moisture out of the leaves, it won't contribute to root absorption if the soil happens to be too dry.
Miri
A burlap or fabric wrap probably won't provide much insulation, though it would cut down on wind exposure for evergreens prone to winterburn (Inkberry Holly, or a young American Holly, for example). Winterburn primarily results from insufficient root moisture, so while a branch wrap will reduce wind evaporation of moisture out of the leaves, it won't contribute to root absorption if the soil happens to be too dry.
Miri
