Preparing your trees for winter: simple steps to help your trees survive the cold and thrive in the spring
Colorado winters can be tough on trees. Between freezing temperatures, dry air, heavy snow, hungry wildlife, and intense winter sun, even healthy trees can struggle without a little help. The good news? A few proactive steps in fall and early winter can make a big difference.
Trees provide shade, wildlife habitat, energy savings, and curb appeal—so taking the time to prepare them for winter is well worth it. Here’s how to set your trees up for success before the snow really settles in.
Table of Contents
TL;DR: How Should I Prepare My Trees for Winter?
Answer:
Pruning & Trimming
Prune Before the Weather Hits
Late fall and early winter (after trees go dormant) is an ideal time to prune.
Pruning helps by:
- Removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches
- Improving tree structure
- Reducing the risk of limbs breaking under heavy snow or ice
Always prune just outside the branch collar (where the branch meets the trunk). If the job involves large limbs or mature trees, it’s best to call in a professional arborist to avoid injury and improper cuts.
Winter Watering
Keep Your Trees Hydrated
One of the biggest threats to trees in Colorado winters isn’t cold—it’s dehydration.
- Water trees deeply through fall until the ground freezes
- During winter, water every 3–4 weeks when temperatures are above 40 degrees and the soil isn’t frozen
- Newly planted and young trees need extra attention
To check soil moisture, dig about 2 inches down with a trowel. If the soil feels moist, you can skip watering.
Dress to Impress
Sometimes bark isn’t enough. A tree’s natural defenses might not be above to withstand a particularly brutal winter. Fortunately, there are a number of layers you can apply to your tree to keep them covered during winter.
Mulching
Insulate roots with mulch
Mulch helps:
- Retain soil moisture
- Regulate soil temperature
- Prevent root damage from freeze–thaw cycles
Apply 2–4 inches of organic mulch around the base of the tree, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk. Mulch piled against the trunk can trap moisture, reduce airflow, and encourage rot or fungus.
Pro tip: Wait until the ground has frozen before mulching to avoid creating cozy winter housing for rodents.
Recycling tip: Shredded fall leaves make excellent mulch.
Tree Wrapping
Wrap young or thin-barked trees
Some trees need a little extra wardrobe help in winter. On those glorious sunny winter days, the cells on the bark open up but slam shut when the temperature drops back down again. A tree that has sunscald can be susceptible to diseases that keep the trunk from growing and producing as much fruit as a healthy tree.
Tree wrapping protects against:
- Sunscald from fluctuating winter temperatures
- Freezing winds
- Rodent damage
Thin-barked trees like maple, linden, and honey locust are especially vulnerable. Wrap trunks from the base up to the first set of branches using paper tree wrap or burlap. Remove wraps in spring.
If rodents are an issue, add a wire mesh guard at the base, buried a few inches into the soil to prevent digging.
Fertilizing
Strengthen those trees before the freeze
Late fall fertilization can strengthen trees for winter, but timing matters.
- Use a slow-release fertilizer after leaf drop
- Apply before the ground freezes
- Avoid fertilizing in late summer or early fall—this can trigger new growth that won’t survive winter
Not all trees need fertilizer, so a professional assessment is helpful.
Snow & Ice
Too much shake leads to break
Heavy snow can strain branches, especially on evergreens.
- Gently brush snow off branches with a broom
- Avoid shaking or snapping branches
- Never try to break ice off—let it melt naturally or use warm (not boiling) water if necessary
Choose Ice Melt Products Carefully
Many common ice melt products contain sodium chloride, which can damage tree roots and interfere with nutrient and water absorption.
Choose pet- and tree-friendly alternatives that contain:
- Calcium chloride
- Magnesium chloride
- Potassium-based products
Preparing your trees for winter is a crucial step to keep your landscape thriving. Please contact us if you’d rather stay inside with a cup of cocoa.
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