Which tree wrap is best?
Young trees and thin-barked trees such as soft maple and crabapple are susceptible to temperature changes in winter and need tree wrap to help them out. By wrapping your trees, you can protect against pests, frost damage, and sunscald, which happens when days are warm but nights drop below the freezing point.
Read on for our quick guide to tree wraps, containing all the information you need to pick the right product to protect your trees. At the end, we've included our top options, too, like Asdomo Tree Protector Wrap, which provides ample insulation while remaining breathable to avoid mold building up.
What to know before you buy a tree wrap
Materials
Tree wrap is available in a range of materials, all of which have their own good and bad qualities. Felt is a breathable material that provides plenty of insulation on frosty nights, but it can be pricier than other wrap materials. Polypropylene fabric is a type of plastic, but it does degrade over time to prevent trees from girdling. If the wrap is left on beyond the winter, it can protect trees from some damage but isn't the most effective option against frost. Multilayered paper and corrugated cardboard tree wraps have natural insulation properties and are biodegradable but can degrade quicker than you might like, especially in excessively wet weather.
Length and width
It's worth checking both the length and width of your chosen tree wrap. Most options come on rolls between 30 and 150 feet long with widths between three and five inches. Longer rolls obviously cover more trees, but width matters, too. A 5-inch wide tree wrap will cover a greater area than a 3-inch tree wrap of the same length. If this is your first time wrapping trees, it can be tough to know how much tree wrap to buy, but it's better to have too much than too little.
What to look for in a quality tree wrap
Biodegradable
It's better for the environment to choose a biodegradable tree wrap, since it will naturally break down over time. Biodegradable materials are usually breathable, which is better for the tree, too.
Color
Light-colored wraps reflect the heat of the sun so that your tree doesn't overheat, making it more susceptible to sunscald. Not everyone wants to wrap their trees in bright white materials, however, as it stands out and doesn't look great. Darker colors blend in better with bark, though they don't offer as much heat protection.
How much you can expect to spend on a tree wrap
Tree wrap can vary in price from less than $5 to over $20, depending on factors such as length, material and quality.
Tree wrap FAQ
When should I wrap my trees?
A. You should wrap your trees in the late fall or early winter, just before the first chance of frost. You can unwrap them in spring, once the chance of frost has passed. The exact dates to wrap your trees depends on where you live and can vary widely. For instance, the risk of frost in New York City is between mid-October and late April, whereas the risk of frost in Jacksonville, Florida is between mid-December and early February.
Do I need to water my trees in winter?
A. Yes, trees still need watering during the winter, especially young trees — which are more likely to need wrapping — because they haven't yet developed a vast network of roots. You should water your trees if the temperature is above 40 degrees, there's no snow on the ground, and you haven't had substantial rainfall in recent days. Unless your trees are part of an irrigated lawn (in which case they probably receive enough water), you should give them roughly 10 gallons of water weekly for each inch of trunk diameter.
What are the best tree wraps to buy?
Top tree wrap
Asdomo Tree Protector Wrap
Our take: This biodegradable felt tree wrap offers excellent insulation, while remaining breathable.
What we like: The wrap measures 65 feet long and almost 5 inches wide. It is easy to wrap and cut. The dark green color doesn't stand out too much.
What you should consider: This is not a good choice if you're looking for something waterproof.
Where to buy: Sold at Amazon
Top tree wrap for the money
DeWitt White Tree Wrap
Our take: This is an extremely affordable tree wrap that protects from mowers and trimmers, insects and scorching.
What we like: It degrades over time to stop the tree from girdling. It is made from breathable polypropylene. The roll is 50 feet long.
What you should consider: Its white color makes it stand out on trees. The width is only 3 inches.
Where to buy: Sold at Amazon
Worth checking out
Walter E. Clark Tree Wrap
Our take: This is a quality paper tree wrap that helps insulate against frost and decrease damage from pests.
What we like: It comes on a huge 150-foot roll. The brown color blends in with trees and it biodegrades in time.
What you should consider: Some descriptions state it's laminated with asphalt, but many buyers complain that it isn't.
Where to buy: Sold at Amazon
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
