Broadleaf, deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter to reduce water loss inside the trunk and branches. Most needle-leaved trees, known as conifers, which include pines and spruce, retain ...

Figure 1. It may be winter, but these beech trees at Knox State Park in East Aurora, New York still have leaves on them. This is called marcescence.

Winter did not kill them. Even healthy trees have branches that die. They are often shaded out by the rest of the tree. Or they could have been damaged by strong winds during the summer.

Trees are like giant straws, drawing water up from the ground to nourish their leaves and branches. In winter, this water can freeze if it’s not expelled or moved efficiently.

Particularly important is the removal of poor branch attachments and weak branch structure in the tree, prior to winter. For more information on pruning, download the publication, Tree Pruning ...

It may seem like winter will last forever, but it won’t. If you have an oak that needs pruning, that gives you a deadline. To protect them from oak wilt, a serious fungal disease, “oaks… ...

Winter can be brutal on plants that aren’t built for the cold. ... These branches act as a shield against harsh weather, helping your plants survive until warmer days return.

Liven up your winter landscape with trees and shrubs that provide textural interest and colorful bark in winter. Good examples include coral bark willow, purple osier or purple willow, 'Flame ...

Young trees are particularly vulnerable to winter's harsh conditions and a great way to protect them is with guards or fencing. Extra layers can make all the difference between survival and damage.

Question: What do you recommend for winter care of fruit trees? Bette A., Albuquerque Answer: Last week, we addressed this question by learning about cold-hardiness and how to avoid drought stress ...

I would like some guidance as to what to do about the winter damage on my shrubs — some branches appear to be dead, while others are leafing out very sparsely. — Beth Harrison, Evanston There ...

In her 1919 poem, “Winter Branches,” poet Margaret Widdemer must have felt the same way. “The stripped tree boughs comfort me, drawn clear against the sky,” she wrote.