As the weather cools and the leaves change, it’s time to make like the squirrels and start preparing for winter. For shared interest communities, in addition to the more in-depth pre-season inspections of roofs, boilers, and other major building elements, that often means tidying up tree pits and other landscaping—breaking out the heavy-duty floor mats, and dusting off the winter snow-removal supplies and equipment. Here are a few recommendations to help you prepare most effectively for the coming cold season.

Out Front

Planters and tree pits in front of buildings need a bit of attention before the snow falls in order for them to weather the cold season and not become eyesores.

Elizabeth Ewell, the business manager for Green Keepers, an organization that provides horticultural, sanitation and pest control services throughout New York City, recommends “[Cleaning] out any annuals and summer plants at the end of the season. Turn the dirt–then you can plant winter plants, like decorative cabbage or kale. Some people like to let everything lay fallow, and place boughs over the tree bed. Another option is pine bark chips.” 

One thing that Ewell sees too often is evergreen shrubs planted in tree pits, which she says is a terrible idea. “They compete with the trees" for root space, nutrients, and water. “No shrubs, not good!" she says. "You have to be careful as well when you cover the ground, because you can create cover for rodents.”

Rats and mice will dig holes in the tree pit and tunnel in for the winter, explains Ewell, noting that the aforementioned pine bark chips are a good option for ground cover, as the material doesn’t attract rodents.

“This is also a good time to fertilize,” she notes, adding that water from winter rain and snow will help to push the fertilizer into the ground, where it can be made use of by the tree during its dormant phase.

Snow & Ice

Even during a mild winter, at some point, your tree pits will get covered in snow, ice, sleet, etc. The precipitation in itself is not bad for the trees. They’re built to survive and even thrive in cold weather and precipitation. But we're living in a city, not a forest.  

“The problem,” explains Ewell, “is when snow gets piled against the tree trunk and fills the pit. That’s damaging. That snow is full of salt and chemicals from ‘snow-melt’, and it gets concentrated when the snow melts and it settles into the earth.  And ‘snow-melt’ is not just salt; it's a whole different compound. As soon as possible, remove the piled-up snow from the tree pit. Push it into the street.”

Of course, ice and snow also pose risks to humans. According to Peter Lehr, director of property management at Kaled Management Corporation with offices in Long Island and New York City, getting ready for winter also means making sure your staff knows their role in helping to clean up after a storm. “It’s not just about shoveling the sidewalks,” he says. “You have to ensure that the interiors by the door, and common areas where people are walking are also safe for residents,” he says, adding that the best time of year to stock up on melting agents is in early fall for best pricing and for supplies. “By Labor Day, we recommend that superintendents and building staff check that their snow blowers and other equipment used for snow removal are in working order.” 

Indoor Concerns 

In addition to beating up your landscaping, snow, ice, and salt can also have a deleterious effect on floors, rugs, and even the furniture in your lobby. That’s where proactive maintenance and good floor mats come into play. 

Anyone who has lived in a New York apartment building can conjure images of those awful black rubber runners that scar the lobby with the first snow. Many buildings leave them down all year round–which is not only ugly, but causes them to wear out quickly. Fortunately, there are updated, improved versions that provide better coverage and protection than in the past.

According to Marilyn Sygrove, principal of Manhattan-based Sygrove Interior Design Services, “While many mats used in lobbies are made from vinyl, I do not recommend them. While vinyl provides traction, it doesn’t absorb water and becomes a soggy mess in bad weather. Synthetic rubber-backed mats with carpet-like material on top are a much better choice. Absorbent and lightweight, they come in a huge selection of patterns and colors to coordinate with lobby interiors.”

“High-Low pile nylon mats are an excellent choice for lobbies because of the way they handle water and dirt,” she continues. “The high pile dries off the bottoms of shoes while the nasty grit, salt, sand and dirt drops into the low pile areas. If you want a natural look, Coco mats can also fit the bill. However, they don’t wear as well as nylon mats and can be ruined after a couple of severe winters.” 

Another option is inset mats. “Keep in mind that if your lobby has recessed entry vestibule mats,” cautions Sygrove, “be mindful of the height of the well in the floor and the thickness of the material when replacing them. I’ve worked on many lobby rehab projects where a well-meaning staff had ordered replacement mats that were way too thick, and it created a tripping hazard.”

Stocking Up

In addition to battening down the hatches out front and in the hallways, managers should also make sure they have all the tools and supplies a given property will need for the coming cold: snow-melt pellets and quality shovels in the winter are snatched up faster than box fans in the summer, so take the time to stock up beforehand. 

According to the pros, here are a few essential supplies and equipment the pros your building or HOA should have on hand:

Winter PPE—gloves, boots, thermalwear, hi-viz vests 

Ice Melt or Rock Salt—for treating sidewalks, entrances, and driveways to prevent slips and falls.

Snow Shovels & Ice Scrapers—for clearing walkways and stairs

Weatherproof Door Sweeps & Window Seals—to prevent drafts and reduce heating costs

Commercial-Grade Space Heaters —for use in emergencies or unheated areas like basements or maintenance rooms

Flashlights & Batteries / Emergency Lighting—in case of power outages, especially in common areas and stairwells.

Wet/Dry Vacuum—for cleaning up melted snow, leaks, or flooding caused by burst pipes

In the end, tackling winterization measures and maintenance early just makes financial sense. Unless a major repair is required, the majority of winterization tasks can be handled by a building staff member—and if it’s done in a timely way before the first bad weather rolls through, you’ll save your trees, your floors, and some money as well.                 

A.J. Sidransky is a staff writer/reporter for CooperatorNews and a published novelist. He may be reached at alan@yrinc.com.