Preparing for a major temperature swing and possible freeze

Denver could see a 55-degree temperature swing from Monday to Tuesday.  It’s a good idea to take precautions so that your sprinkler system and plants are protected.

But first, do not panic. At this point, experts don’t anticipate a great deal of damage to irrigation systems. Ground temperatures are warm, and if temperatures don’t go down below freezing, our sprinklers should be fine. But these precautions are also good practice so that we are ready for October, when freezes may have greater consequences.

Protecting the sprinkler system.
The most expensive part of most sprinkler system is the backflow prevention device. Every year, that first early freeze catches many homeowners off guard, and the most expensive part of their whole sprinkler system--the backflow prevention--freezes, which can cause flooding and water damage. It’s a costly mistake that can be prevented if you plan ahead.

Homeowners can usually locate their backflow somewhere right outside the home and next to the foundation. You should take a moment this weekend to locate yours so you can get to it easily when the time comes. There are 2 small parts on this device that can freeze: The bonnet and poppet assembly. If it freezes it will blow apart and water will run until it’s shut off. Today you can make sure you have these supplies ready to protect it: towel, heavy plastic garbage bag, and duct tape. Before temperatures drop:

• Wrap the device with a towel.
• Cover it with a plastic bag that you tape or secure in place.
• Turn the valve handle at a 45-degree angle.
• These precautions protect from those early freezes and still allow you to run your sprinkler system.

Protect your garden
First, cut potential garden losses by harvesting tender plants. Monday morning, pick your tomatoes, basil, peppers, any vegetable and fruits that you don’t want to risk losing. If you have cool-season veggies that you want to keep harvesting this fall, cover them. You should cover fall annuals such as pansies as well. You can use towels and sheets, or head to the hardware store and buy a tarp. You can use tomato cages to support the fabric or tarp if plants might break under the weight of the fabric and snow. Snow is a good insulator, but heavy snow on the fabric can crush plants.

Protect your trees
You should keep an eye on the weather in case there is wet, heavy snowfall. During the storm, keep an eye on snow accumulating on trees. If branches are sagging under the weight, use something long such as a broom handle to gently shake snow off the branches as high as you can reach. Start at the lowest part of the tree rather than at the top. If you start dusting snow off the top, it will add even more weight onto the lower branches. If you have columnar, upright evergreens, those branches can spread apart under heavy snow. Lightly shaking snow off these evergreens can help minimize the damage.

If you have trees that are already leaning – or branches that are at a sharp “V” with one already growing more to the side than upright – avoid standing or putting property under them. These could fall over, or a branch could break under snow load. Cottonwood trees, for example, are often susceptible to breakage.

Assessing tree damage after the storm

Broken branches. When branches break in storms, there is not “clean” break like you get with a pruning saw. Breaking limbs often rip and tear along their length and leave part of a branch still attached to the tree. These breaks and tears require corrective pruning to safeguard the health of the tree.

If you can stand on the ground and cut or saw the limb, here are the basics:

• Follow the broken branch back nearly to the trunk of the tree.
• Cut the branch near the trunk, but outside the branch collar.
• Improperly pruned areas are an open invitation to insects and disease, so making the cut in the right place is important. If you make the cut flush with the trunk, the tree will not be able to callous over the wound to heal naturally. Cut at the branch collar.
• Avoid using wound treatment products labeled as tree wound paints, tars, or sprays. They are unnecessary. Make a clean cut in the right place and let the tree do what it does best.

Hangers. These are partially severed branches that are still hanging in the tree—and are an accident waiting to happen. They can fall at any time to damage other limbs below or property underneath the tree. They should be a priority. If dealing with hangers cannot be done by standing with two feet on the ground, hire a professional.

Unseen hazards. Besides the damage you see, many branches may have been weakened by cracks that are horizontal, running along the length of the branches. They may not be visible from t he ground, but the weakened wood can cause limbs to break in the future. Cracks in big trees with large branches can be a serious hazard. Have trees evaluated as a proactive step against potential damage.

If you can’t reach the limb easily while standing on the ground, hire a professional who is licensed to perform tree care and will do it safely. Visit www.alcc.com and click “find a professional” to find landscape and tree professionals in your area.