Due to its majestic stature, the common trumpet tree (Catalpa bignonioides) is a popular ornamental tree in many gardens and public parks. The deciduous deciduous tree originally comes from the mild climate in the southeast of the USA, but was also introduced to Europe in the 18th century. The trumpet tree is hardy from the age of around four to five years, but younger specimens require good winter protection.
How do I properly overwinter a trumpet tree?
In order to properly overwinter a trumpet tree, young trees under the age of five should be protected from frost by whitening the trunk and covering the trunk and crown with gardening fleece or reed mats. Cuttings or trees in pots should be wintered frost-free but cool.
Young trees need winter protection
Freshly planted and trumpet trees younger than five years are not yet sufficiently established in their location and are not sufficiently hardened for the typical Central European winter. This hardening only occurs with increasing age, so young trees should definitely be protected from frost and other weather-related adversities. In addition to frost, excessive moisture can also be a problem - especially if a wet period is followed by a frosty period, whereupon the swollen bark freezes and eventually cracks. The only thing that helps against this is whitening the trunk. Further protective measures include covering the trunk and crown with gardening fleece or reed mats.
Trumpet tree really white
Before whitening the trunk, you should first carefully clean it of moss and lichens and apply a good wound closure agent. The tree is then painted with a special paint that is compatible with plants. Alternatively, straw and reed mats also protect against excessive sunlight.
Protect trumpet trees in pots
Cuttings and younger trumpet trees can be cultivated in the pot, although if possible it should not be left outside. Since planters naturally contain only a small amount of soil, the roots are not adequately protected from frost and can therefore freeze back. However, it is better to overwinter these specimens frost-free but cool. But you can also try to wrap both the pot and the tree well, place them on a thick Styrofoam base and push them close to a warm house wall.
Tip
Older trumpet trees in particular can be prepared for winter by thinning them out in good time in August and removing diseased, weak and dead wood.
