Caring for Your Trees During a Cold Snap: A Guide to Winter Planting and Maintenance

Winter might bring frosty mornings and chilly days, but it’s also the perfect time to get your garden ready for a fantastic year ahead. It’s quiet now, but your pleached trees are just waiting to thrive when spring arrives. Take a moment to check stakes, ties, and frames. These little jobs make a big difference. And while you’re at it, why not pop out some food for the birds? They’ll thank you for it!

Choose Trees That Laugh in the Face of Winter

At Just Pleachy, all our pleached trees are built for the British weather. Many are rated H6 (basically, “hardy in all of the UK and northern Europe”) which means they’re ready for temperatures as low as -20°C. So, you can sleep easy knowing your trees are prepared for whatever winter throws at them.

View our range of H6 pleached trees

Planting Season: October - April

Winter’s the season to get planting. While the world above might be chilly, underground, your tree’s roots are busy getting a head start on water uptake, ready to thrive come spring. And it’s not just about the trees. Why not level up your garden game? While you’re planting, add some underplanting with our ready-made borders for a look that’s effortlessly polished.

Shop our ready-made borders

Planting Pleached Trees in a Cold Snap

But what happens if the ground’s a bit icy on planting day? No worries, follow these simple steps:

• Clear the Area: Brush away snow and carefully break through any surface ice. Usually, it’s just a thin layer (just a couple of centimetres), and the soil beneath is nice and crumbly. If it’s frozen solid, wait a little until it warms up and has softened.
• Dig a Good Hole: Add some peat-free compost to give your tree the best start.
• Keep Roots Cosy:
  • For rootball trees, leave the hessian wrap on to protect the roots. Don’t let bare roots freeze by touching any ice, snow, or frost.
    
  • For potted trees, pop them straight into the hole on a layer of compost. Again don’t let bare roots touch the frosty ground.
• Water with Care: Use lukewarm water for that first drink, it’s like a warm hug for the roots.
• Mulch Like a Pro: A thick layer of mulch keeps roots snug and shields them from temperature swings.
• Treat Yourself: Hot tea for you. Optional, but highly recommended.

Looking After Your Trees in Winter

Even in winter, a little love goes a long way. Here’s how to keep your trees happy:

• Check Stakes and Ties: Make sure everything’s secure so your trees stay upright.
• Firm Them Back: If frost or wind has loosened your trees, just firm them back into place.
• Tidy Up: Remove weeds and add a fresh layer of mulch to protect roots.
• Brush Off Snow: Use a soft broom to gently remove heavy snow from branches. Avoid shaking the tree. It’s bad for both of you!
• Give Storm-Damaged Trees Some TLC: Winter storms can knock trees about, but don’t panic. With a bit of care, they’ll bounce back.

View our full guide to caring for your trees after a storm

Healthy Trees, All Year Round

Your trees deserve to thrive no matter the season. Regular checks and a little maintenance will help them look their best through winter and beyond. Want more tips?

View our full guide to caring for your new pleached trees

Winter might be chilly, but it’s full of opportunities to give your trees the best start. And remember, at Just Pleachy, we’re here to help, every step of the way.