Published: January 24th, 2025

Canadian winters are known around the world for their extremely low temperatures, wind chills, and snowy and frosty weather conditions. However, because the Rocky Mountains block cold Arctic air from reaching Vancouver, winters in the Greater Vancouver Area are generally mild with little to no snow. Winter is also that time of the year when we all eagerly wait to celebrate winter holidays and decorate evergreen trees such as fir, spruce, and pine, commonly known as the traditional Christmas tree.
Unlike humans, who work and toil all year long, winter is the time for trees to rest and regenerate. The winter season also brings unique challenges to the health of trees. Here’s Hard Top Tree’s guide to managing local winter weather conditions and what you should do to take care of the plants and trees on your property to ensure they are healthy and vibrant come springtime. Read on to learn some of our most important winter tree care tips!
Winters in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland
British Columbia is known to experience the mildest winters in Canada, an environment that's favorable to the many coniferous trees that cover most of the province's landscape. British Columbia’s most common trees are pine, spruce, fir, cedar, and hemlock. Winters in B.C., range from mild and wet on the coast to harsh and snowy in the interior.
If you’re in Delta, BC, the weather presents additional variations, from Tsawwassen’s milder winters with occasional snow to North Delta’s chillier conditions with a tendency to get a bit more snow.
6 Essential Tree Care Tips for BC Winters:
Monitoring snow pile-ups:
Trees in British Columbia are generally hardy and are adaptable to the weather, but snow storms can be unpredictable, which can damage the tree's health. If your city receives heavy snowfall, keep a timely watch on the snow accumulation on the surface of your trees and branches. Most root damage is caused by improper drainage from the soil, making the roots turn too wet and impacting the tree's growth for spring.
If you’ve recently planted a tree, make sure to protect it from the frost and heavy snow winds with burlap wraps and mulch layers. Apply a thick layer of mulch (around 3 inches) around the base of your trees. This will help insulate the roots, lock in moisture, and prevent the soil from freezing too quickly.

Inspect for Pests:
Winter moths and Bruce spanworms are significant causes of tree damage in the Lower Mainland and Southern Vancouver Island. The larvae (caterpillars) also target apple, birch, blueberry, fruiting, blooming cherry, maple, plum, poplar, and numerous other trees and shrubs.
Insects tend to hibernate during the cold months, but diseases can still harm your trees. Inspect your trees for damaged, dead, or weak branches caused by pests. This will help prevent them from breaking under snow or wind stress.

Prune branches but avoid over-pruning:
Winter is the ideal time to prune trees. This is because most trees shed their leaves by winter making it easier to identify and address any broken or diseased branches. It also allows you to proactively safeguard your house from potential damage caused by strong winds or snowstorms. Without leaves in the winter, it is the best time to trim as the trees enter a state of dormancy (slow growth), which helps to promote healthy tree growth during the spring.

Prevent frost damage:
Younger trees are more vulnerable to the elements because young trees are less insulated from cold temperatures due to their thinner bark. Bark cracking, girdling (total severing of the bark around the trunk), and even death of the cambium layer—the vital tissue that carries nutrients for tree growth can result from this. Wrap young trees or trees with thin bark in burlap or tree wraps to protect them from extreme cold or frost. You can also use anti-desiccant sprays on evergreens to help reduce moisture loss caused by winter winds.

Watch out for frost cracks:
The vertical cracks on the tree trunk are often seen due to the altering freezing temperatures during the winter, this is termed as “frost crack”. Wrap the trunks of young or sensitive trees with burlap or tree guards to minimize temperature fluctuations and give protection from strong winds.
Care for a bonus tip? Sure!
The right wrapping methods: The tree's growth may be obstructed if it is wrapped tightly. To promote airflow, leave a little space between the wrap and the bark and wrap it from top to bottom.

Fertilize:
Just as we adjust our wardrobes for the changing seasons, our trees also require seasonal care. Fertilizing the soil throughout the year, be it summer, fall, or winter, is crucial for maintaining the vital nutrients that support tree health. Autumn presents an ideal opportunity to assess your trees' well-being and nourish the soil with appropriate fertilizers. Consulting a local nursery can provide valuable guidance on the specific needs of your trees.

Winter tree care can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Hard Top Tree Co., we specialize in tree care tailored to Delta’s unique climate.
Contact us today and let our team work for your safety. Get a free estimate today!
References: 1. Climate & Weather | Super, Natural BC. (2023, November 2). Super, Natural BC | British Columbia Travel Information. https://www.hellobc.com/plan-your-trip/climate-weather/#:~:text=Winters%20on%20the%20coast%20are,lasts%20from%20November%20to%20March.
2. Metro Vancouver Weather. (2024, July 2). Delta Weather | Metro Vancouver Weather. https://metrovancouverweather.com/delta-weather/#:~:text=Snowfall%20in%20Delta%20is%20highly,and%20proximity%20to%20the%20ocean.
3. Tree, R. (2015, September 2). Do you prepare your trees for the winter? Ridgewood Tree Corp. https://www.ridgewoodtreecorp.com/do-you-prepare-your-trees-for-the-winter/
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