How Do Trees Survive Winter?
As the days get shorter and the temperature begins to drop, our winter preparations begin and by mid-fall, they are well underway. However, we are not the only ones that undergo the winter prep process – our trees do, too. That’s right! Just as we take protective measures to keep hypothermia at bay during the cold months, our trees also take steps to stay safe and warm. Now, if you are anything like us, this information leaves you with one question, “how do trees survive winter?” Not only do we have the answer, but we think it might surprise you…
With freezing temperatures, severe winds, and less sunlight, it can be difficult for outdoor plants to survive Minnesota winters. Thankfully, our trees have adapted and found ways to survive in these less-than-ideal conditions with these three protective actions:
1. Protecting Itself from the Elements
The bark of a tree is its outermost layer of protection, and as the tree’s first line of defense, the bark keeps disease, insects, and other physical and biological damage from reaching the living tree tissue. It also plays a role in insulating the tree and protecting it from winter’s freezing temperatures. To make it even more tolerant to the cold weather, trees also undergo a series of cellular shrinkage, dehydration, and sugar concentration that hardens its cells, making them almost glass-like so the cells cannot freeze and damage the living tissue.
2. Losing Its Leaves
During the winter the ground freezes, making it impossible for trees to pull water from the ground. With no new ground water source to keep it alive, the trees need to preserve what it has. What does this have to do with why trees lose their leaves? Well, deciduous tree leaves have a high concentration of water in them which slowly evaporates through a process called transpiration. So, to prevent them from wasting water, trees lose their leaves.
But wait, if deciduous trees lose their leaves to preserve water, why do evergreens keep their needles?
Unlike that of the trees that drop their leaves, the needles of coniferous trees have less water in them and a wax coating on the outside. This prevents them from losing water in the winter, so they can keep their green appearance all year round.
3. Saving Energy with Dormancy
With less sunlight during the winter months, trees are not able to produce much energy through photosynthesis, meaning they have to preserve their energy. To do this, trees go dormant, which is similar to how other animals go into hibernation. However, instead of slowing its heart rate and going to sleep to save energy, dormant trees send their vital nutrients to their roots where they are stored over winter. Though evergreen trees are able to continue to make energy since they do not lose their leaves, the decrease of sunlight makes them also have to go into energy saving mode to survive the winter.
While these incredible adaptations have allowed trees to stay alive in freezing conditions for hundreds of years, that does not mean that they are certain to survive. Severe winter storms can wreak havoc on any tree, breaking branches, leaving open wounds that increases the chance of disease, uprooting trees, or even causing enough stress to the tree that it dies.
Make sure your tree is in the best position to not only survive but thrive this winter by calling a certified arborist to check for any weak or broken tree branches that should be trimmed or removed. Contact the experts and learn more about how they can keep your family safe and help your trees survive winter and thrive all year long. For 24/7 emergency tree services, call our experienced professionals at 651-485-6870.