Thuja outdoors in winter. How to cover thuja for the winter

Thuja is one of the favorite trees of many landscape designers. With proper care, it grows quite quickly, so it does not take a very long time to realize the design idea.

It is advisable to plant thuja in the spring, so that this coniferous tree has time to adapt before the onset of cold weather. During this time, small roots will appear on the roots, which will improve the absorption of nutrients from the soil. It is clear that if you plant a thuja in the fall, then such root hairs will not have time to fully develop and the tree will be less prepared for the coming winter.

Thuja is a very frost-resistant tree. Even at temperatures below -30 C, it feels relatively good. Winter sunburn is a big danger. To prevent them, thuja (mostly fragile seedlings) are covered in the fall, before the snow falls. This procedure should be carried out at least the first 2 years after planting. In a sunny and at the same time frosty winter, even mature trees risk suffering from burns, therefore, during such periods, they are covered with a fine mesh from the sunny side.

Tui for the winter can be covered in the following ways:

• Most often, thuja is covered with light burlap or gauze. Non-woven materials (lutrasil, spandbond) are strongly discouraged by many summer residents for these purposes, since they do not pass air well. As a result, moisture will begin to accumulate under such a cover, and in the thaw your thuja will inevitably rot. Gauze is cut into long sheets. The upper part is fixed on the highest branch of the crown, and the lower part is attached to the base of the tree. Each subsequent sheet of gauze is fastened with a stapler to the previous one. A few pieces of gauze fabric will be enough to securely wrap the entire crown of a small tree. Try not to stretch the gauze too much, as it will inevitably shrink when wet.
• Sometimes a simple wooden frame is built around the thuja, on which light material is stretched, designed to protect the plant primarily from the sun. When constructing the frame and pulling on the protective material, try not to injure the thuja branches once again.
• Some summer residents build shields (usually wooden) and install them on the sunny side. This design will protect the plant from sunburn.
• In garden stores today you can find ready-made protective structures for every taste. Their price and quality can vary greatly.

Whatever shelter you use, snow will accumulate on it in any case in winter. So that he does not break the rather fragile branches of the thuja, it must be periodically shaken off. Snow should not be thrown, for example, from paths, onto thuja, as under its thick layer the needles may begin to rot.

Tui are widely used in landscape design. Evergreen beauties are considered winter-hardy by nature, but practice shows that not all ornamental species are able to survive severe frosts. So is it necessary to cover the thuja for the winter, and what kind of care they need in the cold period - you will find the answers to these questions in our article.

Pre-winter care for thujas begins in the fall, before the first frosts appear. First of all, you should take care of seedlings and young trees that grow singly. They are more vulnerable and more likely to suffer from weather conditions. If the thuja is located near a fence, wall, or is a winter-hardy variety, it can be covered a month later.

Let's take a closer look at how to prepare thuja for the upcoming winter:

1. Toward the end of October, you need to feed the tree with a complex fertilizer with a high concentration of potassium and phosphorus. This can be done in two ways: sprinkle the dry mixture in the near-stem circle and dig in or dissolve the fertilizer in water and apply under the root. The composition of the mixture should not contain nitrogen, as it stimulates the growth of new shoots that do not have time to get stronger by frost.
2. For the root system of thuja, dry frozen soil is detrimental, so abundant watering is required before wintering. If the autumn is dry, without precipitation, it is recommended to water the tree throughout the season - this will allow it to stock up on moisture and make it easier to survive the winter. But even here you need to observe the measure, otherwise the roots will begin to rot.

Further preparation of the thuja for winter consists in no less important activities: pruning the crown and warming the plants.

From this video you will learn how to properly care for thujas in the garden.

Why is pruning needed?

Tui perfectly tolerate forming pruning, which is the most important condition for maintaining their beauty and decorativeness. Depending on the cultivar, these conifers can be in the form of a pyramid, column, ball, but in order for the tree to really retain this shape, it must be trimmed periodically. That is, the main purpose of pruning is to improve the appearance of the tree.

Autumn pruning is more of a sanitary nature. In addition to the fact that during the manipulation, excess, bulging shoots are cut off, along with them, shrunken branches, as well as branches damaged by pests and diseases, are removed. Thus, sanitary pruning helps prevent infection of the entire plant, which is extremely important before wintering.

When is the best time to cut

The timing of pruning is determined by the climate of the region, but in any case, the plant should have at least a month to recover. In the Moscow region, as a rule, the first frosts are observed in early November. Therefore, pruning in this region should be carried out in late September - early October. For manipulation, you should choose a day when the weather is cloudy, but dry, and the temperature is not lower than +5 ° C. If this condition is not met, the cuts will heal for a long time, and it will be more difficult for the tree to survive the winter.

Execution technology

Autumn sanitary pruning is a responsible event that requires scrupulousness and accuracy. It is carried out in the following sequence:

1. First, all diseased, shriveled and damaged branches are completely (to the base) removed.
2. Then a part of the branches inside the crown is cut out. Too small shoots interfering with each other are subject to removal. Thinning is a very important stage in autumn pruning, which improves air permeability and prevents the needles from drying out inside the crown.
3. If over the summer the top is too long, it is cut off so that the greens grow in width. This is especially true for tui, which are formed in the form of a ball or column.
4. Next, some of last year's shoots are removed, which are too dark in color and spoil the decorative effect of the tree.

In this form, the thuja is left to winter. In spring, the tree needs to be inspected and cut off frozen branches. Formative pruning with shaping is carried out closer to summer, when the plant recovers from the winter and gives rise to new shoots.

Aftercare

After pruning, you need to carefully remove all plant debris around the tree. It is very important that there are no small branches left in the near-trunk circle, from which fungi and pest larvae can get into the ground. The soil around the tree is dug up to a depth of 7-10 cm. It is impossible to go deeper, since the roots of the thuja are located superficially. Next, the tree is watered abundantly. This event can be combined with autumn feeding. Pruning weakens the plant and it becomes vulnerable to diseases and pests, so the first 1-2 weeks you need to monitor the condition of the thuja.

What is the shelter for?

Adult arborvitae without shelter can winter at temperatures down to -35 ° C, but it is difficult for young seedlings and ornamental varieties imported from a mild climate to survive the winter even in the middle lane - not like in colder regions. And the point is not only in frosts, but also in winds that break fragile twigs and deform the trunk of a tree. Another reason why warming for seedlings is necessary is a long adaptation. It takes 2-3 years for the roots to properly develop and gain a foothold in the soil.

To shelter young and not too tall trees, a frame is used, which is made from any improvised materials:

• thin boards, slats;
• remnants of plastic pipes;
• bars;
• metal corners;
• wire.

The frame in the form of a pyramid or a hut is considered optimal, on which snow does not linger. For small thujas, you can use a 3-support structure, for trees with a voluminous crown, 4 is better.

Making a frame is easy. It is necessary to drive support rails into the ground to a depth of 20-30 cm at an angle that allows you to connect the structure at the top. If the tree is large and voluminous, it is recommended to connect the supports with crossbars. That's all! Next, a heater is stretched onto the frame and fixed with a wire to the structural supports.

Root warming

The superficial root system of the thuja often freezes through, despite external protection. To prevent this from happening, the near-trunk area for the winter needs to be additionally insulated with a mulch layer.

It is desirable that the composition of the mulch contains components that release heat during decomposition: compost, humus, peat. Also, the composition of the soil mixture may include land from under coniferous plants, dry foliage, straw. All components are mixed and poured in a layer of 15-20 cm.

In regions with a harsh climate, such as the Urals and Siberia, it is recommended to lay spruce branches on top of the mulch layer or make a mound of dry foliage. In the spring, this insulation is removed, and the mulch is left, since it serves as a good organic fertilizer for the tree.

crown protection

If a frame is used to shelter the thuja, then there is nothing more to worry about - this is enough to completely protect the plant from the sun, winds and frost. Small seedlings and undersized thuja species can be covered with a large plastic bottle cut off on one side. In such a design, there must be several holes for ventilation.

Larger trees are more difficult. They can survive frosts without damage, but suffer from the February sun or strong winds. You can prevent this phenomenon by installing shields around the tree or only from the sunny side. It is advisable to tie the crown of bushy plants in order to prevent the branches from breaking from the accumulated snow.

The care for decorative beauties does not end there. When winter comes, it will be necessary after each snowfall to clean the frame and branches of adult thujas from accumulated snow, and also to clear the trunk circle.

Thuja belongs to the cypress family, and like all members of this family is a coniferous evergreen. In Russia, all species are only cultivated and are used in landscape and landscape design. Plants have different sizes, shapes and colors, but they have in common:

• close to the surface (at a depth of 5-8 cm) located roots;
• the neck is at a distance of 2 cm above the ground;
• fragile branches growing up to the top;
• non-falling needles, on which wet snow sticks in winter.

Thuja is a cold-resistant plant that can withstand frosts down to -35 degrees, but its listed features explain why winter, especially snowy, with wind and low temperatures, can be a serious test for it.

In the spring, the thuja, which was left unprotected in the winter, can be seen with broken branches, with a yellow lifeless crown.

The color of the crown is restored if frostbite is not critical, but it is much more difficult to eliminate the break of branches, this significantly worsens the decorative effect of the thuja.

Thuja prefers neutral or slightly acidic fertile soil and abundant watering. With a lack of moisture, the needles dry and turn yellow. A change in the color of the crown can also signal a violation of the optimal acidity of the soil. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor these indicators throughout the growing season.

Top dressing should be carried out no more than 2 times a year, mainly with phosphorus and potash fertilizers in the form of granules, since such fertilizers enter the soil gradually, as moisture enters.

Excess nitrogen leads to a rapid increase in the volume of needles, which, with fragile branches and features of their attachment to the trunk, leads to breakage of shoots and a violation of the shape of the arborvitae. The plant is sensitive to direct sunlight, so the best place for its growth is a slightly shaded place.

Preparing for winter

Termination of top dressing

All types of plant nutrition are stopped from the beginning of August. Otherwise, due to the active growth of the needles, the branches will not get stronger before frost and in winter they may freeze or break.

pruning

Work on preparing the thuja for winter includes freeing the crown from old needles and preventive protection against pests. This is done in stages to effectively protect the plant.

The start of pre-winter preparation is mid-August.

Root protection

Work with the root system begins with the destruction of weeds growing around the tree. Next, carefully dig the soil, not forgetting that the roots are near the surface. Plant root protection includes measures to prevent soil freezing.

This is done by insulating the root system at the end of October with the help of loose organics: leaf litter, straw, compost, rotted manure, pouring them in the near-trunk circle with a layer 10-30 cm thick.

Care should be taken with peat, which can acidify the soil under the thuja, however, due to its good thermal insulation, it is good to use it as a top layer. Such mulching retains moisture and protects the roots from cold weather, which is especially important for young seedlings.

Additional protection can be spruce branches laid on top of the mulch. In spring, the spruce branches are removed, and the mulch remains as a natural fertilizer.

Watering

Before winter, the trees are generously watered: with a lack of moisture, the plant may dry out after wintering, because with the onset of spring warming, intensive evaporation of moisture from the needles, which has a large area, begins. In addition, the loss of moisture leads to a decrease in the protective and decorative properties of the thuja:

To prevent this, before the onset of frost, the plants are watered abundantly. At the same time, root-forming preparations are added to strengthen the root system. This is especially important for young plants, they need: up to 10 liters per plant 2-3 years old, and up to 50 liters per older plant.

But! Excessive watering in winter can have a detrimental effect on the survival of the plant: the roots can rot or freeze, and branches that are excessively saturated with moisture can be torn due to osmosis.

Shelter time

According to the advice of experienced gardeners, the procedure should be performed at the end of autumn, in cloudy, without sun, weather. Precipitation at this moment is highly undesirable for a dry plant to go into shelter. Wet needles collected in a compact volume can rot.

The optimal temperature during the operation is not higher than +4 degrees, so as not to provoke the mating process. Shelter occurs in 2 stages:

• tying a bush;
• plant cover.

strapping

Due to its structure (the branches are attached to the trunk towards the top), the main problem in winter is the collapse of the bush. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to prevent the plant from breaking under the weight of snow. With a rope, a tourniquet or a strip of fabric 3-5 cm wide, the entire crown is tied with a spiral from bottom to top.

The main thing when choosing a strapping material is not to injure branches and needles during the operation.

Fishing line, nylon threads and any other synthetic materials that can cut branches when pulled are categorically not suitable here. A tall tree can be tied not completely, but only to the height of human growth.

Important! When tying a thuja, it is not necessary to tightly tighten the bush; there should be enough air between the branches so that the plant does not dry out during wintering.

Covering material for preserving thuja

Trees are covered by:

• non-woven textiles, for example, agrofibre, lutrasil, spunbond, agrospan;
• a natural product with a loose structure (gauze, burlap);
• artificial material with a loose structure (old tulle with noticeable holes);
• kraft paper.

How to insulate thuja

The canvas must be breathable so that the plant can breathe. Polyethylene is not suitable here. Using a stapler, covers (bags) are made from the material in accordance with the shape and size of the trees. Shelters for industrial-made arborvitae are currently being sold.

It must be remembered that during winter thaws, condensate accumulates on non-woven materials, they begin to pass air poorly, and this can lead to rotting of plants. Unlike materials such as agrofibre, burlap, gauze and tulle do not collect condensate and remain breathable.

When working with gauze, first cut pieces from the roll along the height of the tree. They are laid, starting from the top and descending to the base of the crown. Laying is made multi-layered, connecting pieces of gauze with a stapler. An alternative to fabric is kraft paper.

The plant is wrapped in paper in a spiral, starting from the top and going down to the base. The paper is overlapped, fixed using a stapler and rope.

Frameworks

Frame devices are suitable for protecting young plants of small size. They can be made independently or purchased ready-made. To make frames for shelters, wooden blocks, slats or plastic pipes and wire are required.

Depending on the size of the plant, structures with three or four supports are made. The length of the racks is at least two-thirds of the height of the tree, and if possible, capture the top of the crown.

The supports are connected by crossbars, and such a frame is covered with a cover material or a cover is put on it, fixing it all on the frame. This will help keep the thuja in winter, even with sleet and freezing rain.

Thuja care in winter in the Moscow region

In central Russia, snowy winters are characteristic, with temperature fluctuations. After heavy snowfalls, in order to keep the tree intact, it must be rid of the snowdrift. No need to rush to remove the shelter in early spring. Here there is a risk of sunburn needles.

Thuja shelter as an element of site design

Tui - the best decorations of the garden plot. But in winter, ugly buildings break this harmony. The problem can be solved by giving shelters a decorative character. Design solutions will turn them into works of art and decorate any garden.

It takes time and effort to grow thuja. This is especially important when the plant is young and needs special care and protection, and, first of all, in winter. However, the efforts expended will return a hundredfold, coniferous beauties will delight the eye, decorating your site.

We shelter for the winter thuja:

Preparing for the winter of conifers: how to do it right:

Thuja is a frost-resistant plant. It feels great even at a temperature of -30 o. In this case, is it necessary to apply shelter?

From the bright winter sun and wind, especially when spring approaches, young trees often get burned. To avoid this trouble, they are covered before the snow falls. You can do this in mid-February if you are not afraid of frost. Seedlings especially need shelter in the first year or two after planting.

First, prepare the necessary materials and tools. Choose white materials for shelter: they reflect the sun's rays well. It can be ordinary gauze or a special covering material (lutrasil, spunbond, agrotherm). You will also need ropes, wire, a stapler. For a taller tree, you will need to prepare a suitable frame.

The principle is very simple. Thuja is fastened with ropes so as not to injure the branches. The branches as much as possible, but very carefully, are collected to the center and tied. Wrap the seedling on top with a rather large piece of gauze. Gauze is also secured with ropes or wire. You can use a stapler.

It must be remembered that when wet, the gauze will shrink. Therefore, a piece of gauze should freely envelop the bush, leaving soft folds.

This is a rather laborious method. It is not suitable for very tall trees. The frame can be made of wooden slats or wire.

Shelter will not allow snow to linger on the top. In the absence of shelter, the top is deformed, and specimens with a spherical shape will acquire an unattractive appearance.

Another simple option is a shelter in the form of a wigwam. Sticks or metal rods are stuck around the plant. Their free ends are tied together over the top of the arborvitae in the form of a wigwam. After that, everything is hidden.

The frame can be made with your own hands, or you can buy ready-made.

If there is a bag of the right size, then it is better to use it. It is put on a pre-tied plant so that it does not tighten too much. This is well shown in the photo.

Warming of the root system

For this purpose, mix the fallen leaves with the ground. Spread the resulting mixture evenly around the bush. Such a "blanket" will cover the roots from frost. With the advent of spring, the leaves will begin to rot and provide the green beauty with the necessary fertilizers, as well as retain moisture.

It is also useful to mulch with peat or pine bark when freezing temperatures occur.

Tuya is a favorite of the owners of country estates and landscape designers. It is willingly planted in forest park areas, squares, as well as along city streets. Actually, this is not surprising, because this coniferous tree of the cypress family has a number of advantages over its counterparts.

Masters of landscape design form real masterpieces of art from the evergreen crown of thuja. Naturally, in order for the thuja to grow quickly and be healthy, it needs to provide special conditions for growing and caring.

Many lovers of coniferous trees are undoubtedly interested in how to properly cover the thuja for the winter.

How to prepare a tree for a harsh winter

Thuja is a cold-resistant plant. It calmly tolerates frosts down to -30 ° C. But such frost resistance is demonstrated, as a rule, by mature trees. Young thujas are at risk of getting quite severe burns from frost. In order to preserve young thuja seedlings, it is recommended to warm them since the fall, until the snow falls.

Some inexperienced gardeners cover the thuja with polyethylene before winter. Attention! This is an unacceptable mistake, because condensation forms under dense cellophane, and when frost sets in, the tree simply freezes. This problem is relevant not only for the northern regions, but also for middle latitudes, for example, for the Moscow region.

If the winter is too harsh and shows record low temperatures, then mature trees also need protection. They are recommended to be shaded from the sunny side. A fine mesh is ideal for this.

There are several proven ways to insulate thuja for the winter.

How to effectively cover the thuja for the winter

As soon as snowfalls begin, it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of snow that accumulates on the protective structure. So that under its weight the structure does not collapse, and young plants do not die, snow must be removed regularly. Do not drop it on juniper or other plants, as their branches are very fragile and can break instantly.

In the spring, as soon as the soil thaws, protective structures can be safely removed. This is best done on a cloudy day. Thus, you will save the young tree from a sharp change in the level of lighting. Further, the plant will be able to independently adapt to ordinary light.