How to cover the crown and roots of a thuja for the winter

When and why you need shelter

Thuja is a frost-resistant plant that in most cases does not require additional insulation. But there are certain varieties of shrubs that are not able to survive severe frosts without shelter. Also, young trees need protection, the age of which has not reached 2 years. However, not only frost is a threat to the ephedra. The scorching rays of the sun are also destructive, because they can simply burn the plant.

Preparation of ephedra for winter should begin in early autumn. During this period, the dose of fertilizing the plant is reduced, otherwise it will continue to be active and will not "hibernate" in time. The shelter procedure is carried out with the onset of stable cold weather. But it is worth remembering that the air temperature must not be lower than +4 ° С. Otherwise, the plant, wrapped in heat-insulating material, may rot.

Before warming, the crown is cleaned of damaged, rotted, dried needles. After that, the waste is incinerated, as it can contain pests and fungal diseases.

Video "Shelter of thuja for the winter"

From this video you will learn how to properly cover the thuja for the winter.

Root protection

Caring for thujas in autumn involves preparing the roots of the plant for winter. Ephedra is characterized by a superficial root system, therefore, it is necessary to prepare this area for wintering especially carefully. The first stage of rhizome insulation is the collection of weeds in the root zone. Further, this area is well dug up and water-charging irrigation is carried out, which will saturate with an earthen lump with liquid. Then fertilize with fertilizing with phosphorus and potassium content.

When feeding a plant, it is important to observe the proportions indicated in the instructions. Excessive feeding activates the growth of thuja.

For direct warming of the near-trunk zone, dry foliage, needles, peat, manure, compost, straw, spruce branches are used. Organic materials retain moisture well in the soil and protect the roots of thuja from cold winds and frost.

Safe wintering of the plant

How to prepare the thuja for winter depends on its appearance in the warm season. Correctly selected shelter, proper care and technical execution of wrapping the ephedra will protect it from the most severe frosts.

Covering materials

Before the construction of the shelter, the ephedra is spirally tied with twine. This will prevent strong wind from damaging the branches. A small thuja can be covered with a regular plastic bottle. Owners of tall conifers should refer to special covering materials. The most popular are:

• agrospan;
• lutrasil;
• spunbond;
• agrofiber;
• sackcloth;
• gauze;
• kraft paper.

For those who choose an insulation material, it is important to remember that the material must be thin in order to let air through well. Polyethylene is strictly prohibited as a covering material, as it is airtight and accumulates excess moisture. Burlap and gauze are considered good options. They keep warm and at the same time provide air circulation.

Homemade covers are made from burlap. For this, the plant is wrapped with material and fastened with a stapler. Shelter with gauze is produced in several layers, because the fabric is much thinner than burlap. Wrap the thuja from the top to the roots. Kraft paper is no less popular among summer residents. The principle of insulation with its help is the same: the thuja is wrapped in paper and fastened with a stapler.

Wireframe creation

For adult frost-resistant thujas, a thin covering material will be enough for a safe wintering. Young bushes require more substantial insulation. Therefore, many summer residents prepare frames.

For their construction you need:

• metal corners;
• slats;
• plastic tubes;
• wire;
• bars.

A frame with three supports will be enough to shelter low thujas, and for high ones - with four. The support should be ⅔ of the length of the tree and be driven into the ground by 25 cm. A cover is pulled over the finished frame and fixed to the base of the structure. This method of shelter has one drawback - the need for regular cleaning of the greenhouse surface from snow. But smart gardeners have found a way out in this situation - they give the frame a spherical shape. Thanks to this, the snow itself rolls off the top of the structure.

Follow-up care

Winter care for thuja is not limited to just one shelter. After carrying out the preparatory and insulation procedures, the summer resident must systematically shake off the snow that accumulates on the "roof" of the structure. It is recommended to clear the root zone of snow.

You can remove the shelter only after the warm weather is established. It is also important to shade the conifers to protect their foliage from the scalding rays of the sun.

Preparing for frost by region

The climatic features of a particular region play almost the main role in choosing a shelter method. Depending on the weather, the degree of warming of the tui differs. So, in the suburbs of Moscow, the root soil is mulched, and the tree itself is covered with matter. For regions with relatively warm winters, such insulation is more than enough. Warming of thujas in the Volga region is the same as in the middle lane. The only difference in the mulch layer is that it should be 10 cm thicker. In the Urals, matter alone is not enough. For shrubs, a frame is constructed that protects not only from frost and cold wind, but also from heavy snowdrifts.

Depending on the variety, thuja can be either a shrub or a tree. Plants are often used in landscape design, forming hedges from them. Growing thuja is possible even for a novice gardener. Caring for her does not require exorbitant effort and money. The main thing is an attentive and caring attitude towards your garden pet.