Should I cover my apple tree for the winter and how to do it correctly?

If you have an apple tree in your garden, it needs to be covered before winter to protect it from frost and rodents. This applies even to frost-hardy varieties. Young trees require especially careful care. Knowing the basic rules and recommendations for properly covering fruit trees will protect them and speed up the harvest.

Reasons for concealment

Fruit trees go dormant in winter. However, during this time, they continue to receive nutrients through their roots and crowns. Young seedlings require additional protection as they are more vulnerable.

Insulation for apple trees is necessary not only to protect them from severe frosts. There are other dangers, too:

1. Rodents. The covering material will prevent mice, hares, and rabbits from reaching the bark. This will prevent damage to the tree and help it withstand frost.
2. Bark damage and cracking. This is especially true for young trees whose bark is not yet sufficiently strengthened and formed. Cracking will lead to damage, weakening, and disease of the plant.
   
3. Strong winds dry out the bark in winter, and in spring, combined with the sun, they can burn the bark.

The quality of the harvest and the timing of fruiting depend on how well and densely the plant is covered.

When trees are insulated

The plant's health and abundant fruiting depend on the correct timing of covering. If the procedure is done too early, the young sapling will begin to grow vigorously. As a result, the apple tree will die from the cold. After initially being exposed to the cold, the plant warms up after covering and begins to sprout prematurely. This applies more to one-year-olds.

To prevent apple trees from dying, it's recommended to cover them after the sap has stopped flowing through the stems. The air temperature should be at least -10°C. Before covering, the trunks and branches should be cleared of dead bark and whitewashed with a lime solution.

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The timing of covering an apple tree for the winter can vary. It all depends on the region and the local climate. In the southern part of the country, apple trees should not be heavily insulated, as this will lead to the death of the plant.

Covering materials

The root collar is the first place to protect against freezing. The covering material should be breathable. This could be, for example, an old stocking. After the root collar, the trunk is insulated. For this, use a regular sugar bag from which the film has been removed beforehand. Burlap bags or old rags are also used. Partially cover the lower branches with newspapers.

Covering apple trees for the winter It is possible to use several materials:

• spruce or juniper branches – as insulation;
• sackcloth or film;
• a fence made of metal or plastic.

Our ancestors insulated apple trees with corn stalks and straw. But such material sometimes becomes a home for mice. So, poison is applied first.

Trunks can also be insulated with agrofibre. Although this covering material is expensive, it effectively protects trees from frost and rodents. Some gardeners use plastic bottles. They not only provide protection but also repel pests by creating a noise when the wind blows.

Cheap, coarse toilet paper is an excellent option for covering trees for winter. Starting at the root collar, wrap it around the trunk, slightly enclosing the lower branches. Wrap in 3-6 layers and secure with twine at the top.

Foamed polyethylene works well. It's wrapped around the trunk and secured with tape or twine. Because it's dense, rodents won't be able to get to the bark.

Working technology

Before insulating an apple tree, there are a few things to consider. Every tree needs protection. The choice of technology depends on the tree's age and variety.

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Preparing young trees

Young apple trees will especially need winter protection. First, the trunks are wrapped with juniper or spruce branches, with a minimum height of 1 meter. Then, they are wrapped with a protective covering to protect against rodent attacks.

To properly cover young trees, use a blanket of snow. Covering material, such as tree tops or brushwood, will allow the snow to adhere to the tree's crown longer. Throughout the winter, snow is periodically added to maintain the original height of the snowdrift. The covering material is removed once all the snow has melted. If young apple trees were covered with roofing felt or cellophane for the winter, it is removed immediately after the thaw.

Preparation of old trees

Mature trees over 8 years old don't require insulation. Their bark has already become rough, allowing them to easily withstand winter frosts (this applies if the fruit tree grows in the Moscow region or a southern region without prolonged frosts). Rodents aren't attracted to rough bark either; they prefer first-year trees and young saplings. Therefore, if the trunk is undamaged or diseased, an apple tree can withstand temperatures as low as -35°C. However, for a more successful overwintering, certain protective measures are still recommended.

Before frost, each tree is thoroughly watered and fertilized. Once all the leaves have fallen, the dead bark is removed and the crown is treated with ferrous sulfate. This protects the apple tree from lichen. After all these treatments, the area around the trunk is covered with garden soil or mulch. A 3-cm layer of soil is sufficient.

Protecting seedlings

It's important to cover apple tree saplings for the winter. This procedure will protect small trees from complete freezing. The difference between covering saplings and young apple trees for the winter is that with saplings, not only the trunk but also the crown is covered.

There are two ways to cover seedlings for the winter. For both, select a dry site away from direct wind.

The first method involves digging a shallow trench, up to 60 cm deep and up to 45 cm wide. The roots of the seedlings are dipped in a clay mixture and placed in the trench. Agrofibre will prevent rodents from reaching the plant. The trench should always be covered with snow. In the spring, the protection is gradually removed.

With the second method, first prepare the soil. If it's loamy, mix it with sand; if it's sandy, add manure. Dig a trench. Then place the seedling in it, ensuring it's tilted south. This will prevent sunburn in the spring. Fill the trench with soil and water. To protect against rodents, place rose hips or blackberry branches around the trench. In the spring, gradually remove snow from the trench to prevent excess moisture from accumulating.

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Covering columnar apple trees

The columnar apple tree is a young variety that reaches a small size during growth but produces a large and abundant harvest. The insulation procedure for this variety has some peculiarities related to the shape and size of the crown. Columnar apple trees are more susceptible to frost, so protecting them from frost is a priority. Since both the crown and the apical bud are susceptible to frost, the entire tree is covered.

First, insulate the root area with sawdust or straw. Upper branches, where rodents can't reach, are wrapped in several layers of newspaper or toilet paper. To prevent frosty winds from breaking the tree, it's recommended to tie a support to it.

Preparing seedlings

Planting columnar apple trees in the fall is not recommended, as they won't have time to establish themselves. Therefore, such seedlings are planted in the spring. If the seedlings have already been purchased, they need to be well-wrapped to ensure they survive frost. To do this, they are first planted in prepared trenches. This is done in the same way as for tall varieties. After placement in the trenches, the seedlings are insulated with covering material.

Shelter in different regions

Depending on the region, there are different methods for insulating a columnar apple tree. For example, in the north, snow is used, as this region is characterized by frequent precipitation. The deeper the snowdrift, the more comfortable the plant is. In the Urals or Siberia, the seedling is placed in a container and left in a basement for the entire winter.

In areas with little snow, covering the apple tree requires more careful consideration. First, use spruce branches or sawdust. Then, build a wooden frame around the tree and cover it with burlap or tarpaulin. In temperate climates, use non-woven material for insulation. You can wrap the tree completely or partially. If done correctly (as shown in the video), the tree will not be damaged and will yield a bountiful harvest.

To preserve the tree and prevent frost and rodent damage, it's recommended to insulate any apple tree variety during the winter. Several methods are available to ensure the tree's safety. If done correctly, the trees will thrive over the winter and won't freeze. And they'll delight you with a bountiful harvest in the fall.