Start preparing landscape trees for winter

   Landscape trees in urban and community settings throughout Colorado are going dormant now, and they require care before and during the winter to remain in top health. Homeowners can take measures this fall and through the spring to help their trees through the oncoming harsh conditions, says Keith Wood, community forestry program manager for the Colorado State Forest Service.
    The CSFS offers the following tips to prepare Colorado's community trees for winter:
    —Wrap the trunk. Thin-barked trees like honey locust, maple and linden are susceptible to sunscald and frost cracks because of drastic winter temperature fluctuations. To prevent bark damage, wrap the trunks of younger trees up to the first branches using commercial tree wrap. Leave the wrap on until early April.
    —Mulch the base. Apply 2 to 4 inches of wood chips, bark or other organic mulch near the base of the tree, but not against it, to reduce soil evaporation, improve water absorption and insulate against temperature extremes. Some community recycling programs provide wood chips free of charge.
    —Recycle leaves. Instead of disposing of autumn leaves, consider layering them around the base of each tree as mulch, or blend them into the yard with a mulching mower to retain nutrients.

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