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Landscape professionals often wrap the trunk of thin-bark, newly transplanted
trees. This is thought to prevent the trunks from cracking when direct
sun shines on the lower trunk in cold weather (the sun is at a lower
angle in the winter so more light directly hits the trunk on the south
and southwest sides than it does during the summer). The benefits of
using tree wraps are unclear. Thin-barked trees, such as red maple and
ornamental cherry, may benefit from tree wrapping when planted in high
heat sites (hard surface materials nearby such as brick, concrete or
asphalt that will reflect and/or absorb heat).
If you decide to wrap a
trunk begin at the soil line and spiral the wrapping material around
the trunk up to the first major branches. Overlap each layer by half
a width. Tree wraps are normally applied in the fall and removed the
following spring. If left on too long they can encourage insect and
disease problems.
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