Alright, fellow gardeners, here we are…deep in the trenches of winter! Your trees? They’re out there, bare and defenseless, while frost, dry winds, and sneaky pests plot their seasonal attack.
If you’re already dealing with freezing temps, random thaws, and the occasional “why is it snowing in my zone?” moment, you’re not alone. Winter is chaos, but your trees don’t have to suffer for it.
Let’s get real about how to keep your fruit trees alive, healthy, and ready to explode with growth come spring.
Step 1: Mulch Like Their Lives Depend on It (Because They Kinda Do) 🍂
If you haven’t mulched yet, stop reading this and go do it. I’ll wait.
Mulch is a winter survival essential because it keeps soil temps stable, prevents moisture loss, and protects delicate roots from frostbite.
🌱 How to mulch like a pro:
✅ Spread 2-4 inches of wood chips, straw, shredded leaves, or compost around the base of your tree.
❌ DO NOT pile mulch against the trunk like a rodent-friendly volcano. That’s a fast track to rot and disease.
💡 Bonus Tip: Use aged manure or leaf mulch for an extra shot of nutrients.
What if my ground is already frozen? You can still mulch! Just do your best to insulate whatever soil isn’t rock solid yet.
Step 2: Wrap Those Trunks or Risk Sunburn (Yes, Really) 🌞➡️❄️
Winter sun is like a bad ex, it disappears when you need it and shows up just to cause damage. When bright winter sun hits tree bark during the day, it warms up the tissue, only for it to rapidly freeze again at night. This can cause sunscald and frost cracks, which is basically your tree peeling like a bad sunburn.
🌳 How to protect your trees:
✔️ Wrap trunks with tree wrap, burlap, or even old bedsheets (especially for young trees with thin bark).
✔️ Secure wraps loosely so the tree can still breathe.
✔️ Take the wrap off in early spring so your tree doesn’t feel like it’s stuck in a winter coat during a heatwave.
What about potted fruit trees? Move them next to a building for warmth or bring them inside if temps are truly brutal.
Step 3: Watering in Winter – Do It or Regret It Later 💦
You might think, “Why would I water my trees when everything is frozen?” But winter dehydration is a real thing and once the ground freezes solid, your trees can’t absorb water.
💧 The right way to winter-water:
✅ Give your trees a deep watering before the ground fully freezes.
✅ On warmer winter days (above 40°F/4°C), check the soil 2 inches down. If it’s dry, give them a drink!
✅ If you live in a super dry winter climate, consider setting up a slow drip system to avoid drought stress.
Do I water if there’s snow on the ground? Probably not, snow acts as a moisture blanket, but check beneath it. If it’s dry under the snow, a little extra water won’t hurt.
Step 4: Stop Pests From Partying in Your Dormant Trees 🐛🚨
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean pests are on vacation. They’re lurking in the bark, soil, and fallen leaves, just waiting to wake up in spring and wreak havoc on your orchard.
🛑 Pest prevention checklist:
✔️ Prune out dead or diseased branches, winter is actually the best time to do this since trees are dormant.
✔️ Apply dormant oil spray to smother overwintering pests like aphids and scale.
✔️ Clear out fallen leaves and fruit. This is where fungal spores and pests love to chill all winter.
Should I prune now? Yes, but stick to dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Wait for late winter/early spring for shaping cuts.
Step 5: Keep Your Trees Warm (Without Going Full Greenhouse Mode) 🔥
Look, we can’t all live in California where citrus trees can just vibe year-round. If you’re dealing with harsh winter weather, here are some tricks to keep your trees just warm enough to survive:
🔥 Winter Warm-Up Tricks:
✅ Build a windbreak (a fence, hedge, or even stacked straw bales) to block harsh winds.
✅ For small trees, cover with frost blankets on super cold nights.
✅ For extreme cold, string up old-school incandescent Christmas lights (not LEDs, they don’t give off heat!) to keep branches a few degrees warmer.
What if my tree already got frost damage? Don't panic. Wait until spring before pruning damaged branches, some may recover once it warms up.
Winter is Temporary. Smart Tree Care is Forever.
Congrats, you’re now officially more prepared than 90% of gardeners dealing with winter! Your fruit trees will thank you by not dropping dead before spring.
What’s next?
📩 Join our email list for more no-BS fruit tree care tips!
💬 Got questions? Drop them in the comments, we love nerding out about plants.
📸 Show us your winter-protected trees! Tag us on Instagram so we can hype you up.
Stay warm out there, and remember, your trees are depending on you! 🌳🔥