The Beauty of Bark: A Winter Spotlight

As winter approaches and the vibrant hues of autumn leaves give way to the more subdued tones of the season, it's the perfect time to appreciate an often-overlooked aspect of our trees: their bark. Beyond its protective role, bark can add texture, color, and interest to the winter landscape. In this article, we spotlight trees known for their distinctive winter bark and share tips on how to incorporate them into your landscapes for year-round appeal.

 

Textures That Tell a Tale

The bark of a tree is much like the skin of the living landscape – it comes in various textures and patterns, each telling a unique story of survival and resilience. Consider the Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), with its peeling white bark that provides a striking contrast against a winter's sky, or the lace-like exfoliation of a Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), offering an intricate pattern that becomes a focal point in the garden. Not to be overlooked, the bark of Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia) is multi-colored and peels in strips of gray, orange, and reddish-brown while Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) exhibits a stunning mottled bark, combining shades of gray and brown that peels back in strips to reveal a rich, new texture underneath. These textures are not only visually captivating; they also create habitat and microclimates for various wildlife.

 

A Palette of Colors

Bark isn't just brown. The cornus species, commonly known as Dogwoods, display a range of bark colors from the fiery red of the Red Twig to the bright yellow of the Yellow Twig, injecting warmth into the chilly landscape. The smooth, olive-colored bark of the Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) or the rich cinnamon hues of the Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) are other examples of how a spectrum of bark can be used to paint a living picture that evolves throughout the year.

 

Designing with Bark in Mind

Incorporating trees with distinctive bark into your landscape design ensures visual interest even during the dormant season. When selecting trees, consider the backdrop they will have; lighter bark stands out against evergreens, while darker bark can provide a stunning contrast to a snowy scene. The Kousa Dogwood, with its textural bark, can serve as an eye-catching specimen in any winter garden. Layering these trees with evergreens and winter-blooming plants will enhance the textural and color contrasts, creating a landscape that is appealing in all seasons.

 

Caring for Your Bark Beauties

Proper care is essential to maintain the health and beauty of trees with distinctive bark. Regular pruning, especially during the winter months, can highlight their bark features and maintain their structure. Protecting the bark from damage is also critical, as it can be more susceptible to injury from environmental factors or mechanical damage, which can be detrimental to the tree's health.

 

Embracing Bark in Your Winter Garden

We encourage you to look beyond the leaf and embrace the bark as a central element of your winter garden. Whether through the shaggy layers of a river birch, the muscular ridges of an oak, or the artistic peeling of the Kousa Dogwood, bark provides an unexpected beauty that endures even in the coldest months.

 

By choosing trees with unique bark characteristics, you can create a landscape that offers a year-round sensory experience and stands out in the neighborhood.

Paper Birch

Crape Myrtle

Kousa Dogwood

Stewartia

Red Twig Dogwood