Preserving Plants During Extreme Weather

How to Protect Your Greenery

Extreme weather can pose a serious threat to your landscape, from scorching heat waves and heavy storms to freezing temperatures and high winds. Without proper care, trees, shrubs, and plants may suffer from broken branches, dehydration, root damage, or even death.

Taking proactive steps in plant health care ensures that your greenery remains strong and resilient, no matter the weather.

At Jarvis Tree Experts, we specialize in how to preserve plants in all conditions. Whether you’re planting trees or maintaining an existing landscape, these strategies will help protect your greenery from extreme weather.

1. Protect Plants from High Winds

Strong winds can snap branches, uproot young trees, and strip away foliage. To minimize damage:

• Stake young or newly planted trees to provide stability.
• Prune weak or overgrown branches to reduce the risk of breakage.
• Install windbreaks (such as fences or hedges) to shield vulnerable plants.

After a storm, inspect your trees for damage and remove any broken limbs to promote healthy regrowth.

2. Prepare for Heavy Rain and Flooding

Excess water can saturate soil, weaken roots, and cause erosion. To protect plants from too much moisture:

• Improve drainage by adding mulch or organic matter to the soil.
• Plant in raised beds if your yard is prone to flooding.
• Check for proper grading to direct excess water away from tree roots.

If standing water remains after heavy rain, aerate the soil to help it dry out faster.

3. Shield Plants from Extreme Heat and Drought

Intense heat and drought conditions can lead to wilting, sunburn, and dehydration. Keep your greenery healthy by:

• Watering deeply and less frequently to encourage strong root growth.
• Applying a layer of mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture.
• Providing shade with fabric covers, umbrellas, or natural barriers.

It’s also important to avoid pruning during extreme heat, as this can stress plants even further.

4. Protect Against Freezing Temperatures

Cold snaps and frost can damage plant cells, cause cracks in tree bark, and kill tender vegetation. To prevent this:

• Wrap trunks of young trees with burlap or tree wrap for insulation.
• Cover delicate plants with frost blankets or sheets overnight.
• Water plants before a freeze, as moist soil retains heat better than dry soil.

If a plant suffers from frost damage, wait until warmer weather to trim dead foliage—pruning too early can worsen the damage.

5. Strengthen Plants with Proper Care Year-Round

Healthy plants are naturally more resilient to extreme weather. Regular plant health care practices, such as proper fertilization, pruning, and pest control, can help trees and plants withstand environmental stress.

• Fertilize appropriately to provide essential nutrients.
• Monitor for pests and diseases that weaken plants.
• Choose native or drought-resistant species when planting trees, as they adapt better to local weather conditions.

Let Jarvis Tree Experts Help You Protect Your Landscape

Extreme weather is unpredictable, but with the right precautions, you can preserve your plants and trees through any season. At Jarvis Tree Experts, we offer professional plant health care services, storm damage assessments, and expert advice on how to preserve plants for long-term health.

Contact us today for expert tree care and ensure your greenery thrives—no matter the weather!