How to Protect Trees from Frost Damage

Without proper precautions, freezing temperatures can damage your trees and shrubs. Learn how to protect trees from frost, snow and ice here.

Ah, wintertime. If you live in a cooler climate, there’s no cozier season. While snowstorms rage and temperatures dip, there’s nothing quite as relaxing as curling up by the fireplace with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate. But your ice-covered trees outside don’t have that luxury.

While many cold-weather trees and shrubs can withstand the cold, the reality is that frost, snow and ice can damage your plants, especially if they’re not equipped for winter conditions. Thankfully, there are things that you can do to help mitigate the damage.  

Here, we’ll teach you how to protect shrubs from frost and ice. You’ll also discover some cold-weather tips for caring for your outdoor plants and learn what TruGreen can do to help keep your trees and shrubs healthy year after year. 

Frost damage to trees and shrubs isn’t due to cold temperatures alone, rather it happens because of moisture during those colder temperatures. At freezing temperatures, water within the plant tissue solidifies, forming ice crystals. These crystals inevitably damage plant cells by expanding and damaging the cell membrane, though the extent of the damage can vary depending on the plant’s cold tolerance, the age, state of dormancy and overall health of the plant.

Generally speaking, frost damage looks a bit like a burn because the plant cells die after they have been damaged by the ice crystals. Foliage may wilt or discolor, and in some cases, it could dehydrate entirely and fall off. Frost damage is less obvious on woodier parts of trees and shrubs but can manifest as visible cracking or splitting. 

In most cases, yes: your trees and shrubs will recover from frost damage. Generally, the healthier the plant, the better equipped it’ll be to recover once temperatures rise again. The dead material will need to be pruned so that new growth can fill in.  

To help ensure your trees and shrubs get the targeted care they need throughout the seasons, we recommend TruGreen’s TruShrub Tree & Shrub program. It’s an annual plan designed to give your landscape the nutrients, care and protection they need to thrive from season to season and year to year. 

Protecting shrubs from a freeze mostly hinges on shielding the branches and foliage from ice. Here are some things you can do to keep your shrubs and other landscape plants protected in cold weather:

• Water the ground around your plants well prior to a freeze to help prevent frost from penetrating the soil.
• If temperatures are expected to dip below freezing (32oF) after plants have leafed out in the spring, consider covering your plants. As for what to cover plants with for frost protection, household items like blankets and towels should do the trick. Place them around your shrubs at dusk and remove them the next morning so the shrubs can be warmed by the sun. Smaller shrubs can be protected with Styrofoam cones. Tie up the branches first so the cone will fit over the top and keep a brick or rock on top to keep the cone secure.
• If your shrubs do experience frost damage, avoid removing wilted leaves until temperatures rise again. In cold weather, even small amounts of wilted leaves can help insulate the plant against cold temperatures and wind. 

Certain species are more susceptible to frost damage and require extra care. Here are some specific trees and shrubs to pay attention to during colder months:

• Citrus Trees: These are particularly sensitive to frost and require covering or relocation if potted.
• Japanese Maple: Known for their beautiful foliage, these trees need protection as their leaves are vulnerable to frost.
• Hydrangeas: Their buds can be damaged by late spring frosts, so covering them during cold snaps is beneficial.
• Gardenias: These fragrant shrubs are frost-sensitive and covering them during freezes will help preserve their blooms.
• Rhododendrons: Protect these with burlap screens to shield them from harsh winds and frost.