Winter Freezes Damage North Texas Trees: What Homeowners Should Look For | Arborist USA скачать в хорошем качестве

Winter Freezes Damage North Texas Trees: What Homeowners Should Look For | Arborist USA

Hello Community, I’m Henry Friar, ISA Certified Arborist with Arborist USA. In this video, I explain how hard winter freezes damage trees in North Texas, what we learned from the 2021 Winter Storm Uri, and what homeowners should be watching for after this current freeze event. North Texas trees are not the same as trees growing in northern climates. Trees in colder regions slowly acclimate to winter through gradual temperature changes. In our region, trees often experience warm periods followed by sudden temperature drops. That lack of gradual acclimation makes many North Texas trees—especially live oaks and ash trees—more vulnerable to freeze injury. During the 2021 ice storm, Texas A&M Forest Service documented widespread stress and delayed recovery in live oaks across North Texas. Many trees did not show immediate damage. Instead, symptoms appeared weeks to months later, often as delayed leaf-out, thinning canopies, and dieback concentrated in the upper crown. The science behind this damage is largely related to how trees move water. Trees transport water through microscopic tubes called xylem vessels. When temperatures drop into the teens, water inside these vessels can freeze. As water freezes, it expands, placing stress on vessel walls and surrounding tissues. When temperatures rise and the ice melts, it can leave behind air pockets, known as xylem embolisms. These air pockets block water movement, similar to air bubbles in a straw. When enough vessels are blocked, water cannot move efficiently from the roots to the canopy. The top of the tree, being the farthest from the roots and most exposed to cold and wind, is often the first area to show damage. This explains why arborists observed extensive twig and branch dieback in the upper canopy after the 2021 storm. Texas A&M Forest Service also notes that freezing and thawing can contribute to bark splitting, trunk cracks, and cambial injury, especially when trees were not fully dormant before the freeze. These injuries may weaken trees structurally or create entry points for decay organisms over time. Another important lesson from 2021 is what not to do after a freeze. Homeowners should not try to push growth early in spring, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen encourages fast, soft growth, but if a tree’s water transport system is still compromised, forcing growth can increase stress and worsen dieback. Texas A&M Forest Service recommends patience and allowing trees to recover naturally before making major pruning or fertilization decisions. What homeowners should do after a hard freeze: • Be patient and avoid heavy pruning until late spring or early summer, when true damage is visible • Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers in early spring • Water appropriately if soils are dry, as moist soil retains heat and supports root recovery • Monitor trees for delayed leaf-out, thinning canopies, cracked bark, or dead branch tips • Seek a professional evaluation if symptoms persist or worsen Cold damage is often internal and delayed, which is why trees may appear fine immediately after a freeze but decline later in the season. If you’re concerned about a tree on your property in North Texas, a professional tree assessment can help determine whether the tree is recovering normally or developing a safety issue. If you have questions or would like an evaluation, contact Arborist USA at 682-204-4746 or visit https://www.arboristusa.com/winter-fr.... https://www.google.com/search?q=Arbor... Our goal is to help homeowners make informed, science-based decisions that protect both their trees and their property. #BurlesonTX #BurlesonTexas #JohnsonCountyTX #NorthTexas #DFW #TreeFreezeDamage #WinterTreeCare #TreeScience #ISACertifiedArborist #ArboristUSA #TreeRiskAssessment