Page 34 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 154

34 Issue #154 November 2025 www.sportsenergynews.com

Let it Grow – Loving your Conifers

conifers is to water regularly and Sidenote; these physical barriers
By Marion Dalley
thoroughly prior to frost setting in. may also help to discourage wildlife
This will be particularly important from feeding on the bark or needles
any of us battle with preserving
this fall, as we had such a dry summer. of the trees.
Mour small evergreens over the
winter. Salt, severe winds, and loss Water deeply, slowly, and regularly so Fall is not the time to fertilize
of moisture all affect the hardiness the moisture can reach up to 12 inches conifers. Fertilization will encourage
depth.
of conifers. Popular conifers include the tree to develop new shoots, which
pine, spruce, fir, cedar, hemlock, Mulch around the base of the plant. cannot be protected from harsher
juniper, and yew, although there are Mulch helps to regulate the soil temperatures.
others as well. Many conifers have temperature, and to retain moisture.
Upright conifers, like junipers,
adaptations of help survive winter, Apply 2 – 4 inches of pine needles,
are susceptible to breaking under the
such as a conical shape to shed snow, shredded leaves, and/or bark ships.
weight of heavy snow and ice. Gently
and a waxy covering on the needle to Remember to leave a few inches clear
tie the branches together with twine
minimize water loss. Preparing our around the stem, to help prevent rot
small animals building winter homes or use protective netting to hold them
small trees and shrubs for winter will and rodent damage. Wait until the in the mulch.
save heartache of loss in the spring. ground is slightly frozen to mulch, in place. After a heavy snowfall, use
as this will help prevent rodents and To protect from windburn, build a a broom to gently brush the snow
One of the first steps to winterizing off the branches, pushing upwards to
burlap screen or windbreak fabric on
avoid breaking them.
the windward side of the conifers. Or
wrap the entire plant loosely for full For container grown shrubs and
protection. Another winter hazard trees, move pots into a sheltered,
is road salt. Working to protect your unheated area (like against a wall or
small shrubs and trees from salt in an unheated garage). Wrap pots
damage now will prevent browning with an insulating material such as
of needles, less growth, or loss of burlap, straw, or bubble wrap. Keep
Annual the conifer entirely. Similarly, when soil slightly moist, do not let it dry out
planting new trees, try to have the completely.
Ham soil grade slope away from the trunk barriers gradually, and water well
In the spring, remove wraps and
and roots, so salty water will run
off. If your conifers are close to the
once the ground can absorb it.
driveway or road, be sure to give them A little work now will be rewarding
a good bath/wash down in the spring,
$30 Fundraiser to clean off residual salt, and to wash in the spring… show some love for
your conifers. Happy plotting.
the salt away from the roots.

SCAN TO ORDER

Order Deadline:
November 30th

DECEMBER 10, 11 & 12TH

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Pickup at Cardinal Wholesale Meats

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