Article by Sam Waggener, City of Lone Tree Forester
Fall in Colorado is a gorgeous time of year with cool nights, warm days, and pumpkin-spiced everything. One item to think about before taking a sip of that delicious latte is how you can set up your trees for success against the harsh winter conditions that are just around the corner. Every season in Colorado can present a difficult environment for trees to survive, and the fall is no exception. For best efficiency, you’ll want to focus your time on younger trees. With less extensive root systems, younger trees require more time to ensure they are set up well for the winter months. Here are a few tips and tricks that will help.
Watering your trees in the fall
You should be watering less than you were in the summer. Over-watering can lead to root rot, pests, and diseases. With less water in the equation, trees should be mulched to add moisture and insulation for the roots. Apply 2-4 inches of wood mulch, bark, or organic material near the base of the tree, but avoid adding mulch on the trunk.
Remember, you’ll still need to water during the winter. Here is a quick reference to help you with your winter watering. Lastly, remember to winterize your irrigation systems to protect your lines from cooler weather and freezing temperatures.
Wrapping your trees
The next tip is trees need to be wrapped in the winter months especially if newly planted. The thin bark of immature trees doesn’t have the needed mature bark to protect a tree yet from the harsh conditions of winter. Trees can get sunscald or frost cracking, which can eventually lead to pests, diseases, and death. Species of trees that are very susceptible to these conditions are Honey Locusts, Linden, and Maples.
So how do you go about wrapping your tree? Here is a great video detailing the process, including what type of material you can use. Just remember, the wrap should stay up from October/November through April.
Pictured: a tree that was not wrapped in the winter. You can see what sun scalding does to a young tree.
Recycling your leaves
Another trick is to recycle leaves, instead of disposing of your leaves in the landfill. Recycling leaves is a free way to add fertilizer back into the ground. This occurs naturally in forests, creating a mulch layer for invertebrates and fungi to break down into nutrients for later. Mowing leaves and allowing them to break down naturally adds needed nutrients for trees, plus you save on fertilizer you would otherwise have to pay for.
What about pruning?
Pruning is actually a later step in the winterization process done in the late winter. Pruning is intended to remove dead branches, improve structure, and reinvigorate the tree. This is an important step in ensuring tree health, and you can check out some tips on how to do it effectively here.
(Tree) Wrap up
So, now you’re equipped with a delicious fall coffee drink AND some insight on how to protect those beautiful trees on your property. Time to get those young trees cozy for the winter so you have some wonderful foliage to enjoy in the spring! For any questions, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]. Have a great fall!