How to protect thuja from frost

Trees

Thuja is a heat-loving plant. If you want the tree to grace your property for many years to come, be sure to protect it from the cold during the winter. There are several ways to do this correctly; mistakes are essential, as careless handling can even kill the plant. With timely and reliable protection, the thuja will survive the winter well and will continue to thrive and delight you with its beauty in the spring.

Reasons for shelter

Young shoots on one- and two-year-old trees are most susceptible to freezing. These trees haven't yet had time to adapt and are easily deformed by frost. If they are buried under snow in winter, the trees will be spared. In addition to cold, direct sunlight, which is especially intense in spring, is dangerous for sensitive needles. The sun stimulates the emergence of new, fresh shoots, but the ground hasn't yet thawed, leaving the root system dormant, further damaging the plant. If thujas aren't protected from cold and sun in a timely manner, the following changes will occur:

the crown changes color from green to yellow, the color intensity disappears;
the needles dry out and fall off, the branches remain “bare”;
the shoots become curved and gradually die off.

Trees need to be covered when growing in almost any climate zone except the southern part of the country. In regions with mild climates, winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, so the plant is not at risk.

Attention!

When planting thuja in the fall, it must be covered for the winter to prevent freezing.

Preparing for shelter

The thuja needs to be covered for the winter. Before the first serious frosts. There's no specific date; the timeframe depends on the region's climate. Harvesting preparations typically begin in late September or early October. Before covering the crops, they are prepared for the upcoming winter:

cut off old and stunted shoots, leaving only healthy green needles;
fertilize a couple of weeks before covering with complex or organic fertilizers;
The soil is loosened and then mulched with sawdust or humus. Any mulch will do.
Watering the thuja should be stopped by mid-September. As the weather gets colder, the need for moisture decreases, but overwatering will only cause root rot.

To cover your arborvitaes, purchase the right covering material in advance. The most important thing is that it should not trap air. Never wrap the tree in plastic film or cellophane. This material doesn't allow air to pass through, and the plant will become damp over the winter and die. The most common choices for frost protection for conifers are:

spunbond;
agrofibre;
cotton (sheets, duvet covers);
roofing felt;
burlap;
polymer mesh.

Methods of shelter

There are several methods for covering thuja:

https://youtu.be/d_ov5O1Ylbg

Circular tying. This method is suitable for young plants that haven't yet reached 2 meters or more. You'll need twine or any strong rope for tying. Bend the side branches toward the trunk, then carefully tie the rope around the thuja, working from the bottom up and then back in the opposite direction. If winters in your region are long and temperatures often drop below -20 degrees Celsius, cover the thuja with agrofibre before tying the twine.
Frame. Heavy snowfalls in winter can damage the crown and young branches. Heavy snowfalls put additional stress on shoots, causing them to break. Build a frame around the arborvitae: drive long metal stakes or wooden poles into the trunk circle, crossing at the top. Wrap the frame with any breathable covering material. White cloth or burlap are suitable; they block sunlight and allow air circulation. Secure the covering material and tie it with twine.
A ready-made cover. When you don't have time to build a frame, you can purchase a ready-made cover for winter storage at a gardening store. It's made of high-quality material and will protect your tree not only from cold weather but also from the sun in the summer heat. You won't have to tie the branches with rope. All you need to do is quickly attach the covers to the conifers. However, there is a drawback: this method is suitable for small arborvitaes (1-1.5 m tall). You're unlikely to find larger cones.
Protective screen. Nail several boards together around the thuja in a row on the north side (or on all sides) and stretch agrofibre over them. This method allows protect the needles from the sun and frost.

Attention!

The structure designed to protect trees from the cold must be strong so that heavy snowfall does not destroy the frame.

If you cover your thuja before the first frost and mulch the area around the trunk, even a harsh winter will be no problem. When spring arrives and temperatures warm, remove the covering. In just a couple of weeks, the trees will emerge from their winter dormancy and will once again delight you with their lush, green crowns.