New England winters are known for their extreme cold temperatures and snowy conditions that can affect trees. Freeze-thaw cycles, salt exposure, windburn, and desiccation are common wintertime issues for trees in Massachusetts.
Healthy soil insulates a tree's roots during dormancy, acting as a life support system. Read on to learn how tree soil health and quality, from compaction to nutrients, can determine whether a tree survives or declines after winter.
What Happens to Tree Roots in Winter?
Despite what you may think, tree roots continue to absorb moisture and nutrients until the soil reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time, tree roots are working overtime to ensure the tree has enough nutrients and moisture to survive winter.
Dry, compacted, or poorly draining soils can adversely affect roots, even while dormant. Frost penetration also goes deeper in bare soil, increasing the risk of poor tree root health in winter.
Key Soil Factors That Affect Winter Survival
Soil health and tree survival in New England are symbiotic. Without one, the other doesn’t happen. Here are some key characteristics to keep in mind when learning how to prepare soil for winter.
- Soil Moisture – Dry soil can cause root desiccation, while overly wet soil can cause roots to suffocate. To find the perfect soil moisture balance, deep waterings and mulching can buffer the extremes.
- Soil Compaction – Compacted soils are common in suburban areas of Massachusetts from foot traffic, mowers, construction, and more. They limit oxygen flow and water infiltration, causing a decline in soil health. Aeration and soil remediation work to alleviate soil compaction by increasing oxygen flow and water infiltration. When planting, add compost and biochar to make the soil more resilient.
- Organic Matter – Compost top dressing for trees in Massachusetts acts like a sponge, absorbing water and nutrients while buffering temperatures and supporting healthy microbes throughout the winter.
- Nutrient Balance – Acidic soils that affect nutrient uptake are common in Massachusetts, especially the Berkshires. Nutrient-deficient soils, or soils low in potassium or phosphorus, can also impair root health. Fall is an excellent time for improving soil before winter in Massachusetts by conducting a soil test and correcting any nutrient imbalances.
Warning Signs of Poor Soil Health Before Winter
Fall soil care for trees can make or break a tree’s health during the winter. Keep an eye out for these warning signs of poor soil health before the ground freezes.
- Standing water near tree roots after rain
- Trees showing early leaf drop or color change in fall and summer
- Sparse canopies, delayed leaf out, or slow spring recovery year after year.
How to Improve Soil Health Before the Ground Freezes
Improving soil health before winter just requires a few simple steps. Here’s what we recommend:
- Fall Mulching (the Right Way) – Mulch helps retain moisture, insulates roots, and adds organic matter. Apply a 2-to-4-inch layer over the root zone in the shape of a flattened donut to avoid piling near the trunk.
- Compost Top Dressing – Light compost applications improve soil structure and support microbes that help tree root health. Composting is best done before the first heavy snow or frost.
- Soil Aeration or Vertical Mulching – This practice breaks up soil compaction to improve oxygen and water flow. It’s an ideal method for mature trees on compacted lots or lawns.
- Soil Testing – Soil testing pinpoints nutrient imbalances, pH levels, and compaction zones. Hartney Greymont’s certified arborists can provide custom soil care plans across Massachusetts, including soil tests.
Common Tree Species in Massachusetts That Need Healthy Soil for Winter Survival
While healthy soil is critical for the health of any tree, certain tree species are susceptible to soil health and tree survival in New England, especially after late-summer drought. Here are some species that may need some extra TLC this fall.
- Japanese maple
- Dogwood
- Birch
- Boxwood and rhododendron (broadleaf evergreens)
- Newly planted trees and saplings
- Shallow-rooted trees like red maple and beech
At Hartney Greymont, we have local arborists in Needham, Concord, Danvers, Cape Cod, and the surrounding areas to provide winter soil health services.
AVOID THESE COMMON WINTER PREP MISTAKES
