A Practical Blog on Wrapping and Covering Trees in Ocala, Florida
Ocala sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a, where the average low dips to 20–25°F only a handful of nights each year. “Winter” here is more about occasional hard freezes than deep snow, but those sudden 2–3 day plunges below 28°F can split bark, desiccate tender new growth, and kill young citrus or palms outright. Proper wrapping keeps heat in, wind out, and ice off without turning your yard into a mummy parade.
Which Trees Actually Need Covering?
Rule of thumb: If the tree is under 4" caliper or was planted in the last 18 months, give it some love. Southern Magnolias are native to Ocala so they do not need covered and Crape’s we only recommend planting in first two years. The common trees that need extra TLC in the winter are Citrus and young palms.
Timing: Watch the Forecast, Not the Calendar
First wrap: When the NWS Ocala forecast shows 28°F or lower for 4+ hours overnight.
Remove: Morning temps stay above 35°F for 48 hrs straight.
Typical window: Mid-December through February; 3–5 events per season.
Keep materials in the garage so you’re not scrambling at 9 p.m. when the cold front races in.
Materials That Work in Florida Humidity
Trunk wrap – 3" wide commercial tree-wrap fabric (burlap style) or corrugated cardboard sleeves. Avoid plastic wrap; it traps moisture and invites fungus.
Canopy cover – Frost cloth (1.0–1.5 oz/yd²) or old bedsheets. Breathable is non-negotiable.
Stakes & twine – Bamboo or fiberglass rods to hold fabric off foliage.
Mulch – 3–4" ring of pine bark nuggets out to the dripline (keep 2" away from trunk).
Step-by-Step Wrapping Technique
Trunk Wrap
Start at the base, overlap each layer 50%.
Spiral upward to the first major branch (usually 18–24").
Secure with biodegradable jute twine—no duct tape.
Remove in March; leaving it on invites insects.
Canopy Cover (citrus, young palms)
Build a simple teepee frame with 3–4 stakes taller than the tree.
Drape frost cloth over the frame; secure at ground with bricks or landscape pins.
Leave the south side slightly open during the day for bees and warmth.
For palms: Stuff the crown with Christmas lights (incandescent or LED C9) inside the fronds—50–75 watts of gentle heat can raise internal temp 5–8°F.
What Not to Do
Plastic tarps directly on leaves → Ice blanket + fungal city.
Christmas lights on wet foliage → Short-circuit risk.
Leaving wraps on until April → Girdling and scale infestation.
A single well executed wrap can save hundreds. In Ocala’s mild-but-sneaky winters, the effort is measured in minutes, not months. Get the materials now, watch the NWS 7-day like a hawk, and your landscape will sail through February looking like nothing happened.
