Prepare your trees and shrubs for the winter this fall


With temperatures quickly cooling, your Denver landscaping needs are likely changing. During these beautiful fall months, it is easy to forget about the needs of your lawn, trees, and shrubs. However, before winter fully sets in, it is important to take time to review and improve their health. Follow our tips below to get your trees and shrubs winter ready!

Inspect the base and leaves
To better understand how your tree or shrub is fairing, take a moment to inspect it. Are the leaves falling and coloring evenly? If not, these could be signs of nutrient deficiencies, disease, or pests. On shrubs, look for mushrooms growing in lumps near the trunk, as this could be a sign of root rot or decay. Pests can also be a problem, especially for shrubs, as the weather cools. Spider mites and other bugs can wreak havoc and cause extensive damage. If you suspect pests are destroying your shrubs, be sure to contact our experts for a professional assessment.  

Prepare and Protect
One of the best things you can do for your trees and shrubs is to protect and prepare them for winter. This can be done easily by mulching and watering regularly during the fall. Mulching your shrubs and trees around their base, about one to two inches deep, can help the plants retain moisture and offer roots protection. It is also important to water your trees and shrubs even after the warmer temperatures have faded. Trees especially require water year-round. They may need additional watering during the winter if temperatures are above freezing and snowfall is scarce. It is also important to protect young trees and shrubs before the cold takes over. Wrapping thinner, young tree trunks (like honeylocust and maple) up to the first branches with commercial tree wrap is an important task to complete in late fall to protect the plant from winter sunscald and frost.

Transplant (or plant) and prune
The fall is the best time to transplant or plant a new tree or shrub. Because the plant does not need to support its leaves in the fall, the likelihood your small tree or shrub will survive the transplant is much higher. It is also important to prune your tree and shrubs prior to the winter months. For shrubs, prune dead branches and to reduce its size. However, if any of your shrubs are still flowering be sure to wait until the flowering is finished. Pruning buds can cause serious injury to the plant by essentially disabling its “inner clock.” If you decided to prune your tree, be sure to contact our experts first. While pruning in the late fall can be recommended, incorrect pruning can significantly harm your tree.

If you have questions about the health of your trees and shrubs, contact our experts at Growing Green. We are available to assist you with tree and shrub maintenance, organic weed control services, landscaping projects and techniques, and lawn care services. For the upcoming colder months, we also offer snow removal, plowing, and professional lighting services. Give our knowledgeable staff a call and set up your first appointment, today!