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When winter settles over the Shenandoah Valley, our mountains turn white, the air gets crisp, and the landscape shifts into its quiet, restful season. While you’re pulling out coats and gloves, your trees are preparing for winter dormancy too—and they need a little attention to stay healthy through snow, ice, and temperature swings.
Proper winter tree care prevents storm damage, protects young and vulnerable trees, reduces pest problems, and sets your landscape up for strong spring growth.
Below are 11 Essential Winter Tree Care Tips recommended by certified arborists in Page County
1. Winter Tree Trimming & Pruning
Winter is the safest and most effective time to prune trees in the Shenandoah Valley.
Because deciduous trees have shed their leaves, arborists can clearly see branch structure and identify:
Dead or broken limbs
Diseased branches
Poor growth patterns
Storm hazards
Dormant pruning helps shape trees, reduces the risk of winter branch failure, and limits the spread of diseases like oak wilt and Dutch elm disease because cold temperatures discourage insect activity.
Best practice: Hire a certified arborist for winter pruning, especially for oaks, elms, and large shade trees.
2. Inspect Trees After Heavy Snow & Ice
Snow in Page County may look light and fluffy, but it gets heavy fast. After winter storms, check trees for:
Cracked or hanging limbs
Damaged branch tips
Leaning sections
Splits in the trunk
Signs of decay or interior rot
If you notice significant damage, avoid walking underneath the tree and call an arborist for a safety assessment.
3. Look for Insect and Disease Problems
Even in winter, trees can show early warning signs of:
Scale insects
Borers
Fungal diseases
Cankers
Root stress
Catching issues early means treatment can begin in early spring—often before serious damage develops.
Soil & Root Zone Winter Care
4. Fertilize Trees & Shrubs in Winter
Urban and suburban soils in the Shenandoah Valley tend to be low in organic matter.
A slow-release fertilizer:
Replenishes lost nutrients
Boosts tree immunity
Improves tolerance to cold, pests, and disease
Supports vigorous spring growth
This is especially important for young trees, stressed trees, and ornamental species.
5. Keep Rock Salt Away From Trees
Sodium chloride (traditional rock salt) can damage roots, dry out the soil, and cause:
Burnt or yellow needles
Browning leaf tips
Branch dieback
Safer alternatives include:
Calcium chloride
Magnesium chloride
Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
If salt exposure occurs, an arborist can flush the soil and restore nutrients in spring.
6. Protect Turf & Beds Near Walkways
Salt can leach into grass and garden beds.
You can minimize damage by:
Using salt sparingly
Installing snow or silt fencing
Applying granulated gypsum to help buffer salt in early spring
Protecting Trees & Shrubs from Winter Damage
7. Wrap Tree Trunks to Prevent Winter Injury
Young trees, thin-barked trees (like maples), and arborvitae benefit from winter trunk protection.
A breathable burlap wrap helps prevent:
Sunscald
Frost cracking
Deer rubbing
Rabbit & vole girdling
Sapsucker pecking
Remove wraps in early spring once temperatures stabilize.
8. Apply Anti-Desiccant Spray to Evergreens
Our dry, windy winters can pull moisture from evergreen needles faster than roots can replace it.
Anti-desiccant sprays:
Lock in moisture
Reduce needle browning
Protect boxwoods, hollies, rhododendrons, and arborvitae
Apply when temperatures are above freezing and trees are dry.
9. Remove Snow from Trees Gently
A few guidelines:
Shake trees only if the snow is freshly fallen and fluffy
Never attempt to remove ice—it can cause branches to snap
Use an upward motion with a soft broom on evergreens
Let nature melt heavy snow and ice naturally
After storms, check for bent or damaged branches.
10. Apply Dormant Oil to Reduce Spring Infestations
Overwintering insects hide in bark crevices and lay eggs that hatch in early spring.
Dormant oil:
Smothers scale, mites, and eggs
Provides natural pest control
Protects fruit trees, ornamentals, and shade trees
Best applied by an arborist on a dry winter day above freezing.
11. Store Container Plants Properly
Potted plants left outside can suffer root damage from freeze–thaw cycles.
Store containers:
In a garage
In a shed
Or clustered close to the house with mulch around them
This protects delicate roots from winter injury.
Common Winter Tree Care Mistakes to Avoid
Overwatering before the ground freezes
Piling too much mulch (mulch volcanoes!)
Pruning at the wrong time
Ignoring trunk protection on young trees
Letting storm damage go unchecked
Using too much rock salt
Neglecting dormant oil treatments
Avoiding these mistakes keeps your trees stronger, healthier, and more storm-resilient.
Winter Storm Damage Services in Page County, VA
Winter weather in the Shenandoah Valley can cause surprise damage.
Call us right away if you notice:
Large broken limbs
Trees leaning after ice storms
Cracks or splits in the trunk
Branches on roofs, fences, or vehicles
We offer emergency tree service, professional assessments, and safe removal.
Need Winter Tree Care? We’re Local. We’re Here to Help.
At G & L Tree Care Solutions, we proudly serve:
All Of Page County
(Luray, Stanley, Shenandoah, Rileyville)
Surrounding Shenandoah Valley communities
(Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Warren County, Frederick County, Augusta County)
We offer:
Winter pruning ▪️ Storm damage cleanup ▪️ Tree wrapping & protection
Dormant oil treatments ▪️ Fertilization ▪️ Full tree health inspections
Call or text us: (540) 746-6055
Click here to request a free estimate
Protect your trees today so they can thrive in spring—your landscape will thank you!