How to protect your trees now to help them flourish in the spring

Soil temperatures are at or near freezing across Minnesota and Thursday’s drought monitor showed no change from the week prior.

Frozen ground means any drought conditions are pretty much locked in until spring.

So how can people give their trees some added protection now to set them up for success when they emerge from dormancy in the spring?

Mark Kruse, an urban and community forestry project specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, gave Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer some tips.

Mulching and watering before the ground freezes is a great start, but it’s not too late to take some action. Burlap coverings can prevent damage from rodents and other critters, Kruse said. It can also prevent bark from drying out. Larger fencing can also stop deer from eating buds when they emerge.

“Physically stopping animals or critters from being able to get to trees is a very good a good thing,” Kruse said.

Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player button above.

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