Wild Man’s Fall Tips to Prepare Trees for Winter
As temperatures drop and Colorado’s trademark winds start to howl, now is the time to give your trees some extra attention. Trees in our urban and mountain communities are preparing to go dormant, and a few simple steps this fall can help them stay healthy and resilient through winter’s harsh conditions.
At Wild Man’s Tree Service, we know firsthand that healthy trees mean fewer hazards and better spring growth. Here are some essential tips to get your landscape ready for the cold months ahead.
🌳 1. Wrap Young Tree Trunks
Colorado’s intense sun and fluctuating winter temperatures can cause sunscald and frost cracks—especially on thin-barked species like maple, linden, and honeylocust. Wrap trunks with a commercial tree wrap from the base up to the first branches, and keep it on until early April. This simple step can prevent bark splitting and long-term damage.
🍂 2. Mulch the Base for Insulation
Add 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch—like shredded bark, wood chips, or leaves—around the base of each tree, but avoid piling it directly against the trunk. Mulch acts as a blanket, helping the soil retain moisture and stay warmer during deep freezes. Many Colorado communities even offer free wood chips through recycling programs.
💧 3. Don’t Forget to Water
Even in winter, trees need water—especially younger ones with smaller root systems. Before putting your hose away, give trees a deep soak out to the edge of the branches (the “drip line”), about 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter. Then, during dry spells with no snow cover for two weeks or more, water again on warmer days when it’s above 40°F.
✂️ 4. Wait to Prune Until Dormancy
The best time to prune most trees is in late winter, before new growth begins. Pruning in dormancy helps trees heal faster and reduces the spread of disease. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches, always cutting just outside the branch collar. If you’re unsure or working near power lines, let a certified arborist handle it safely.
🪵 5. Protect Roots from Cold Damage
Roots are more sensitive to cold than branches and can be injured if soil freezes deeply. To prevent this:
Keep soil moist but not saturated before it freezes.
Apply a 4-inch mulch layer to insulate roots and prevent frost heaving (when freeze-thaw cycles push plants out of the ground).
Check for cracks or air pockets around new plantings and fill them with soil before freezing weather sets in.
🐿️ 6. Guard Against Wildlife Damage
Winter food shortages drive rodents and deer to nibble on bark, twigs, and buds. Protect young trees with plastic guards or wire mesh around the base to keep wildlife at bay. Check these regularly to make sure they’re not too tight as the tree grows.
❄️ 7. Plan for Snow and Ice
Heavy snow and ice can break branches or even topple trees. Avoid shaking icy limbs, which can cause more harm than good. Instead, gently brush off heavy snow with a broom and contact a tree service professional if you notice large cracks or leaning trees after a storm.
🌲 Give Your Trees a Strong Start for Spring
Taking time this fall to protect your trees pays off in the spring with stronger roots, fewer broken branches, and healthier growth. Whether you need pruning, wrapping, or advice tailored to your specific property, Wild Man’s Tree Service is here to help keep your trees safe, beautiful, and thriving all year long.
Contact Wild Man’s Tree Service today for fall tree care, pruning, and winter prep services.
📍 Serving Broomfield, Boulder, Westminster, and the greater Denver area.
📞 [303-943-7567]