Wrapping Our Young Triumph Elm To Protect Against Winter Sunscald - November 2022
The guys who planted our new Triumph Elm tree in our front yard told me three things when they were leaving it: 1. Put the tree away wet. 2. Wrap the trunk this winter to protect against sun scald and cracking. 3. Don't touch the tree for years. Of that advice, I *sort of* understood the first and third one. Watering in a new tree for a couple of weeks is very important. But, having the tree installed so late in the season meant that I could 'put it away wet'. As for #3 - pruning - I've learned my lesson and don't touch trees for a number of years. But, #2...wrapping the tree. That was new to me. So, what is sun scald? From the University of Arkansas Extension office comes this explainer : Sunscald is a fairly common physiological problem found most commonly on young, thin-barked ornamental and fruit trees. Research suggests that during the winter, frozen tissue on the south or southwest side of the trunk which is also being heated by the sun, thaws