For trees in the garden, proper care in winter is crucial.
One of these simple but effective methods is loosening the snow around the trees.
At first glance, this seems like an unnecessary measure, but it plays an important role in protecting plants from frost, pests and other winter threats.
Winter protection of roots from frost
Loose snow around the tree acts as a natural insulator. When the snow is compacted or covered with a crust of ice, it retains heat worse, which makes the tree's root system vulnerable to severe frosts.
A loose layer of snow, on the other hand, holds more air, which creates thermal insulation. Thanks to this, the roots remain at a comfortable temperature and are less susceptible to damage due to soil freezing.
This is especially important for young seedlings and trees whose root layer has not yet had time to go deep enough.
Protection from rodents
Small rodents such as mice and voles find shelter under a dense layer of snow and can damage the bark of trees.
When the snow is compacted, they easily make their passages near the roots and trunks, gnawing them. Regular loosening of the snow destroys these shelters and makes the area around the tree less attractive to pests.
In addition, loose snow makes it difficult for rodents to move and deprives them of the opportunity to hide from predators, which reduces the risk of tree damage.
Preventing bark rot
In spring, dense snow or an ice crust around the tree can cause the bark to rot.
When snow adheres tightly to the base of the trunk, excess moisture is formed during melting, which promotes the growth of fungi and bacteria.
This can lead to rotting or cracking of the bark. Loose snow, in turn, ensures uniform melting, allowing moisture to go into the soil without harming the tree.
Facilitating oxygen access to the roots
Snow cover makes it difficult for oxygen to reach tree roots, which is especially critical for heavy and compacted soils.
Snow loosening improves air exchange and allows air to reach the roots even under the snow layer. This allows the trees to maintain a healthy condition during the winter and save their strength for spring growth.
Loosening snow around trees is a simple but effective measure that helps keep your garden healthy during the winter.
By devoting a little time to this process, you will provide your plants with reliable protection from frost, pests and excess moisture, which will have a beneficial effect on their condition in the future.
