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Winterizing your cherry tree will ensure it comes back stronger in the spring. As fall weather settles in, taking the time to prepare your cherry trees for cold temperatures can significantly impact their survival and productivity. Proper winterization safeguards your trees against freezing weather, frost, sunscald, and pests and diseases, ensuring they remain healthy and ready to bear fruit come spring.
Neglecting these essential preparations can cause permanent damage to your beloved fruit trees, making it crucial to prioritize this seasonal care to ensure a fruitful harvest ahead. Here, fruit tree experts share straightforward tips to effectively winterize your cherry tree, setting the stage for a successful and bountiful spring.
Provide Adequate Water
While you won’t be watering your cherry tree in the winter, Ellen Parlee, co-owner of Parlee Farms, explains that all fruit trees should be given a regular supply of water in the fall until the ground freezes. Once the ground freezes, the roots are unable to absorb water. Watering the tree while the ground is frozen can damage the root system. When watering your cherry tree in the fall, it’s important to do so slowly. This allows the roots to absorb water deeply, ensuring they get the optimal hydration they need before entering dormancy.
Mulch Your Cherry Tree
Mulching your cherry tree ahead of winter is important because it insulates the roots from temperature fluctuations, retains moisture, and improves soil health over the winter. “Mulch the base of the tree with about 3 to 4 inches of wood chips to retain moisture and protect the roots,” says Parlee. You can also use straw, shredded leaves, or bark as mulch.
To properly apply mulch, spread a layer of 3 to 4 inches around the base of the tree. Leave a 6-inch space between the mulch and the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and the risk of rot. Before winter sets in and before mulching your tree, Parlee recommends removing any fruit and leaves from around the base of the tree to reduce the risk of pests and diseases infecting the tree.
Avoid pruning in the fall before winter sets in, as this can increase the risk of fungal diseases and bacterial infections. Pruning at this time also stimulates new growth that will not have time to harden off before winter. The best time to prune cherry trees is between late winter and early spring, when the cherry tree is still dormant and bare, but the threat of extended severe cold snaps has passed, says Jacob Mentlik, nursery manager for Fedco Trees.
Consider Using Protective Paint
If you’ve ever noticed white paint on the trunks of trees, know that it is a protective strategy against rodent damage, sunscald, and pests. “Painting the base of the tree with white latex paint protects the tree from rodents, which do not like the paint,” says Parlee. It also protects the trunk from winter injury by reflecting sunlight and preventing sunscald. For proper application, always follow the product instructions. Clear the area of debris before applying the paint and mulching.
Cover Your Cherry Tree
Fruit tree covers are typically only used for young or small trees, says Mentlik. To add proper coverage over the winter, it’s essential to select a lightweight, breathable fabric such as a frost cloth or burlap. This allows air to circulate and prevents moisture from getting trapped against the tree. Add coverage when the temperatures reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
To apply a protective cover, start by installing garden stakes around the tree’s perimeter. These stakes will provide support for the frost cloth, creating a cage-like structure that shields the tree’s leaves and blossoms from frost and snow.
Next, drape the frost cloth over the stakes so that it encircles both the tree and the stakes. Finally, secure the fabric edges to the ground using rocks, bricks, or small stakes. This helps trap heat underneath the cloth and prevents it from blowing away in windy conditions. Be prepared to brush off any snow that accumulates on the cover to prevent it from collapsing.
Apply Compost to Soil
Fall fertilization can stimulate new growth in cherry trees that may not have sufficient time to harden off before winter arrives. This tender new growth is at risk of being damaged or killed off, ultimately weakening the tree. To provide your cherry tree with nutrients in the fall, consider using nutrient-rich compost or composted manure once the soil temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
To apply, add 1 to 2 inches of compost under the mulch around the base of the tree, ensuring it is at least 6 inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.
