Winter injury to trees and shrubs can be minimized by:

Winter injury to trees and shrubs can be minimized by:

• A. Watering adequately in the fall and mulching under the plants
• B. Overwatering in winter
• C. Fertilizing heavily in late fall
• D. Pruning in winter

Answer: (A)

Winter injury to trees and shrubs is most often caused by desiccation and rapid soil temperature changes that damage plant tissues. The best way to minimize this is to ensure adequate moisture in the fall and to insulate the root zone with mulch. Water deeply in the fall so the roots have moisture stored to endure winter drought and cold. Then apply a 2–4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants, extending under the canopy but keeping mulch away from the trunk to prevent rot; this mulch stabilizes soil temperatures, reduces moisture loss, and cushions roots from freeze-thaw cycles. By combining fall watering and mulching, trees and shrubs are better prepared for winter stresses. Other practices in winter can worsen injury: overwatering in winter can suffocate roots and promote disease; fertilizing heavily in late fall can stimulate new, frost-sensitive growth; pruning in winter removes protective bark and buds and makes tissues more susceptible to cold.

Winter injury to trees and shrubs is most often caused by desiccation and rapid soil temperature changes that damage plant tissues. The best way to minimize this is to ensure adequate moisture in the fall and to insulate the root zone with mulch. Water deeply in the fall so the roots have moisture stored to endure winter drought and cold. Then apply a 2–4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants, extending under the canopy but keeping mulch away from the trunk to prevent rot; this mulch stabilizes soil temperatures, reduces moisture loss, and cushions roots from freeze-thaw cycles. By combining fall watering and mulching, trees and shrubs are better prepared for winter stresses. Other practices in winter can worsen injury: overwatering in winter can suffocate roots and promote disease; fertilizing heavily in late fall can stimulate new, frost-sensitive growth; pruning in winter removes protective bark and buds and makes tissues more susceptible to cold.