PREPARING FRUIT TREES FOR FLORIDA’S COLD SNAPS

As a fruit tree owner in Florida, protecting your trees from cold temperatures is crucial for their health and productivity. Two effective methods to shield your trees are mulching and insulating.

If you are inexperienced at preparing your fruit trees for Florida cold snaps, certified arborists like Crews Tree Service are well-versed in seasonal tree preparation and employing their services is much more cost effective than removing and replacing expensive trees with saplings and waiting for them to grow.

Mulching fruit trees in Florida helps insulate the roots and soil, preventing them from freezing during near-freezing temperatures. Apply a 4-6 inch layer of organic material like wood chips, leaves, or straw around the base of the tree, extending out to the drip line. This helps retain soil moisture and moderate temperature fluctuations.

In addition to mulching, insulating the trunks and lower branches can further safeguard your fruit trees. Wrap the lower 12-18 inches of the trunk and any exposed roots with burlap, cardboard, or commercial tree wrap. This creates a protective barrier against frost and freezing winds.

By implementing both mulching and insulating techniques, you can give your Florida fruit trees the best chance of surviving cold winter weather and thriving in the years to come. Proper cold protection is an essential part of successful fruit tree survival in the Sunshine State. Contact Crews Tree Service today for a free evaluation of steps you can take to protect your fruit trees from their struggle against unusually cold Florida temperatures.