How do trees survive the winter?
Winter brings cold winds, icy precipitation, and periods of below-freezing temperatures. Humans seek shelter, many animals hibernate, some insects may overwinter as eggs or life stages that are dormant. A walk in the Arboretum in January clearly indicates that most plants become dormant and nearly inconspicuous during this time.
Slowing down offers a way to protect against the harshness of winter. But how do trees survive and persist in the often-harsh conditions? Most trees do ‘slow down’ during winter, and deciduous trees that lose their leaves shut down photosynthesis entirely.
All trees have bark, and this protective covering serves as an insulator, protecting the vulnerable, living tissue just beneath the bark from cold and freezing.