Fall Transplant

This term describes trees that do well when dug and replanted in fall. According to arborists at Cornell University, trees like sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and Linden (Tilia species) do better when planted in fall; their rate of root growth is higher, and their stem diameter increases more quickly than in trees planted in spring.

Benefits of Fall Planting

• Extended planting season
• Less watering than summer planting
• Faster root establishment
• Reduced transplant stress

For nurseries, fall planting has the advantage of extending the selling season. Home gardeners may have more time to plant and care for their new trees in fall than during the spring gardening rush. It should be noted, however, that most evergreen trees are not suited for fall planting. They do best when they are dug up and replanted in spring.

Pruning Primer

Timing: Choosing the right time for pruning is important for the health of your tree. The best season for most maintenance pruning is winter, when trees are dormant. The next best time is midsummer, then tree resources are at their highest for the year. It is wise to refrain from pruning between bud break and new leaf formation in spring and during leaf drop in fall, the periods when a tree’s resources are at their lowest. The only exception from these guidelines is pruning deadwood and damaged branches and any pruning done for safety reasons, which can be done at any time of year.

Tools: The best tools for pruning are a coarse tooth saw for larger limbs, a fine-tooth saw for small limbs or greater control, and a hand pruner. Avoid shears, which often lead to unstructured pruning and poor cuts.

Safety: Pruning large trees can be dangerous. Use proper protective gear and avoid pruning from ladders. High-risk work should be handled by trained tree care professionals. *Proper pruning will enhance the beauty of almost any landscape tree and shrub, while improper pruning can ruin or greatly reduce its landscape potential.

Colorado State Forest Service Winter Tree Tips

Wrap the trunk. In Colorado, the thin bark of young trees should be wrapped from late November until early April to prevent sunscald and frost cracks.

Mulch at the base. Apply two to four inches of organic mulch under trees when fall leaf drop is complete, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

Reuse autumn leaves. Fallen leaves can serve as mulch around the base of trees, or they can be mowed into the turf to add nutrients back into the yard.

Water before winter. Give trees thorough watering before shutting off irrigation, especially from the base of the tree to the outer edge of the branches.

Pay attention to young trees. Their root systems are not fully established and need extra winter protection.

Prune later. Late winter is generally the best time to prune, after insects and disease-causing organisms are inactive.

Fall Foliage in Colorado

Colorado’s spectacular autumn colors are famous throughout the country. Aspens typically begin turning brilliant shades of gold in mid-September at higher elevations, with lower elevations often reaching peak color through October.

Timing and Peak Viewing

• High Elevations (above 9,000’): Leaves begin turning in mid-September, especially across northern mountain ranges and passes like Rabbit Ears Pass and Steamboat Springs.
• Southern Mountains and lower elevations: Areas like the San Juan Mountains, Denver, and the Front Range typically peak in early to mid-October.
• Weather Factors: Cool night temperatures and sunny autumn days produce the brightest gold, though dry conditions can sometimes trigger earlier or muted transformations.

Top scenic drives

Kebler Pass (Crested Butte)

• Vast golden Aspen groves: One of the largest Aspen groves in the state, offering expansive golden vistas against the Ruby Range.

Dallas Divide

• Sweeping mountain views
• Vibrant autumn color

Lizard Head Pass

• Stunning southwest Colorado scenery
• Excellent photography opportunities