Even though colder temperatures are here, K- State extension districts Jacob Weber says you may have to worry about the sun damaging your trees more than the cold. Weber says most fruit trees, newly planted or trees with thin bark, you should cover their trunk for the winter to avoid what is known “southwest disease.” Weber explains due to our environment without any other form of shade certain trees in the winter are exposed to heavy sun exposure on the southwest side of the tree. That promotes growth in the bark which usually later that night is frozen over which damages those areas. Weber says that you can purchase a “Tree Wrap” from a local garden store or nursery. He says you can also use thin cardboard or just something to shade the trees trunk from too much sunlight.

He advises to not wrap it around the tree too tight either to avoid damage.