Winter Damage To Live Oaks

Do you have Freeze Damage To Your Live Oaks from the recent Winter Storm? Call Arborist USA at (817) 880-6130 to get one of our ISA Certified Arborists to check the Freeze Damage To Your Live Oaks.

Winter damage to live oak trees can occur for various reasons, including cold temperatures, dehydration, winter salt damage, ice or snow damage, sunscald, windburn, and browsing damage by animals.

The 2021 winter storm served as a reminder of how fragile these live oaks can be to ice damage. Our office was flooded with calls with major branches breaking from the weight of the ice and snow.

How To Reduce Freeze Damage To Live Oaks

Another progressive condition was a twig and branch dieback due to freeze damage. To reduce winter damage to live oak trees, pruning should be done in the late fall to remove any dead, dying, or diseased branches that could be further damaged during the winter.

Your drip line should have proper weight management to reduce the amount of stress on the valleys from the weight of the ice.

Make Sure To Properly Water and Mulch Your Trees In The Fall

In some cases, it is important to thin the drip line by 1/3. It is also important to ensure the tree is properly watered and mulched in the fall. Keeping the soil moist will help reduce the risk of dehydration from drought conditions.

Apply Winterizing Fertilizer To The Soil

Applying winterizing fertilizer to the soil in the fall and spring will also help give the tree an extra energy boost and help it better survive the winter season.

Protect Your Trees From Sunscald

Lastly, it is important to protect young trees from sunscald, which can be done by wrapping the trunk with a light-colored material.

How To Find Out If Your Live Oak Tree Has Been Affected By The Winter Storm

  • The Crown is not regenerating to full capacity.
  • You will notice lots of twigs and branch Dieback.
  • Noticeable dislodging of bark coming apart from the trunk of the tree.

Call Us If Your Freeze Damage To Live Oaks Is Worrying

Although it is hard to prevent winter freeze damage. It is important to call a local arborist to inspect your live oaks immediately to see if there is any action that needs to be taken to prevent twig-in branch loss. Schedule your free appointment today at (817) 880-6130 if your Live Oaks have Freeze Damage.

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