Winter Impact

Winter impact

Garden Clippings for Feb 28, 2026

The winter that will not end.

Old folks tell me that this winter is just like the winters of years gone by. Relentless cold with more snow than I have ever needed to shovel.

Will this colder-than-normal winter have an impact on trees? Yes, indeed, although the effects might not be evident until summer.

Fruit trees, particularly Peach and Apricot, have spring buds that begin swelling as soon as warm and sunny weather arrives. But if we get a late April or early May frigid cold snap, the plump buds might freeze to the point of no return. Ontario fruit tree growers will often stand at the ready with fans and sprinklers when a severe overnight frost is predicted.

Frost cracks are a peculiar but common phenomenon that may adversely affect any tree but may not manifest itself until summer. Usually found on the south or southwest side of the trunk, a frost crack results from the outer bark not having the flexibility to keep up with freezing and expansion of the inner tissues.

Usually affecting thin barked trees such as Maples and Sycamore, frost cracks rarely result in long term tree damage. When it occurs, a frost crack can be accompanied by a sound like gunfire.

Winter desiccation is a horticulturist’s term for drying out. When strong winter winds are accompanied by warm sunshine, moisture escapes from evergreens with no opportunity for the plant to replenish moisture until spring’s thaw. Vulnerable plants include Juniper, Pine, Holly and Rhododendron.

Winter desiccation is most likely to occur after a fall season with less rainfall than normal. Symptoms will be browning of foliage that may not recover until summer.

Ice damage occurs when warm rain from above falls on colder temperatures below. Accumulation of ice can become so heavy that the tree cannot withstand the additional weight. Particularly vulnerable are soft wooded trees such as Poplar, Manitoba and Silver Maple, and Pine.

Tender plants might suffer after a prolonged cold spell because we’ve pushed our luck on the plant’s hardiness. The past few decades have brought rising temperatures, allowing a greater variety of plants that until recently could only be grown south of us. Fortunately, this year’s winter has brought ample snowfall, providing insulation for tender roots below.