When the weather turns cool in Northern California, you’d be forgiven for wondering what’s happening with your trees. Do tree roots grow in the winter? The rest of the tree is bare and not showing any signs of growth at all, so is it the same story underground?
It’s a great question and one that we hear often at our professional tree service in Guerneville, CA. The answer isn’t necessarily straightforward – things like the species and overall health will affect the tree root activity in winter. However, as you’ll see below, what’s happening beneath the soil when the season changes is never boring.
Understanding What Happens to Trees in Winter
Many trees in Guerneville go dormant during the winter. Dormancy is similar to hibernation in that the tree doesn’t actively grow but rather conserves its energy for a burst of growth in the spring. However, dormant tree roots don’t always stop growing, especially in milder climates where the ground doesn’t freeze.
Winter root development is still slow, only picking up once the spring arrives. Evergreens and conifers maintain their foliage. These specimens see more tree growth during winter if the soil stays warm.
Protecting Tree Roots During Cold Weather
Do tree roots grow in the winter? Yes. Therefore, it’s an excellent idea to take precautions to protect the roots for the time that your tree stands dormant.
You can’t do anything to spur faster winter tree root growth. However, you can provide the ideal conditions for health and strength as the spring and summer approach. Here are some root care tips:
Keep Soil Warm and Moist
Tree roots grow when the soil temperature is above freezing. Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree regulates soil temperature nicely. Basically, mulching insulates the soil, protecting the roots against freezing or experiencing stress in a cold snap.
Covering the soil around the base of the tree also helps with moisture retention, minimizing water loss due to transpiration. It helps hold more water from rain or watering, too. Giving the roots plenty of water helps them grow deeper into the soil, which makes the tree more secure.
Add Nutrients
Not only do roots grow in cold weather, but they also continue absorbing nutrients. Enriching the soil with a little extra nutrition at the start of the cold season gives the roots what they need to keep your tree healthy. Once the sunshine returns, they won’t need as much.
Prune Dead Branches
Finally, winter is the ideal time to trim dead or dying branches from trees.
Winter pruning puts far less stress on the tree. It also helps direct more nutrients to the roots, giving them the energy they need to grow.
Get Help Caring for Tree Roots in Winter
Do tree roots grow in the winter in Guerneville, California? Now that you know they do, you may have other concerns surrounding your trees. Call Empire Tree Experts for help giving your specimens what they need to thrive.
You can get more insight into understanding girdling roots and root health on our blog, too.
