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 tr...