Most yards have trees. Not every yard has tree care.
Mowing the lawn and blowing leaves is one thing; taking care of the biggest, most valuable plants on your property is another. Good tree care isn’t complicated, but it does require a little attention to water, soil, pruning, and protection.
The simplest rule of tree care: protect the roots, respect the trunk, and let the canopy do what it was designed to do.
This guide walks through the basics so your trees stay safer, stronger, and better-looking for years.
Quick tree care checklist
If you only remember a few things, start here:
- Right tree, right place – match the species to your space and climate.
- Water wisely – deep, infrequent soaking beats frequent, shallow splashes.
- Mulch correctly – 2–3 inches of mulch, not a “volcano” around the trunk.
- Prune with purpose – remove dead, damaged, and crossing branches; never “top” a tree.
- Protect the trunk and roots – no weed-whacker scars, no parking on the root zone.
- Watch for changes – sudden dieback, early leaf drop, or mushrooms on the trunk/roots are all red flags.
1. Start with the right tree in the right place
Tree care starts before you ever plant:
- Make sure the mature height and spread fit the space.
- Keep large trees away from overhead power lines and right up against foundations.
- Match the species to your climate and soil—in Colorado and the Front Range, that means trees that can handle sun, wind, and periodic drought.
If you’re curious how trees actually reproduce and spread, and why that matters for your yard, check out how trees reproduce with help from their friends.
2. Watering: deep, slow, and consistent
Most tree problems in neighborhoods come down to water: either too little or too much.
New trees (first 2–3 years)
- Water deeply at the drip line (under the outer edge of the branches), not just at the trunk.
- In the growing season, aim for a deep soak once or twice a week, depending on heat, soil, and rainfall.
- Let the soil dry slightly between waterings—cool, damp, not bone dry or swampy.
Established trees
Once roots are well established, trees still need water in hot, dry periods, especially in Colorado’s climate:
- Slow, deep watering every 2–4 weeks in drought can make a big difference.
- Don’t rely only on lawn sprinklers; they often don’t put enough water deep into the root zone.
In Colorado, many species also benefit from winter watering on warmer days when the soil isn’t frozen.
3. Mulching the right way
Mulch is one of the easiest, cheapest tree care tools you have—when it’s used correctly.
Good mulch practice:
- Apply 2–3 inches of wood chips or shredded bark over the root zone.
- Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk so it doesn’t stay constantly wet against the bark.
- Extend mulch out as far as you reasonably can—ideally to the drip line on young trees.
Avoid mulch “volcanoes”:
- Piling mulch up against the trunk can invite rot, pests, and girdling roots.
- You should be able to see the root flare—where the trunk widens at the base.
4. Pruning: what to do (and what to avoid)
Pruning can improve safety, structure, and appearance—but done wrong, it can damage a tree permanently.
Homeowner-friendly pruning tasks
- Remove small dead, broken, or rubbing branches you can safely reach from the ground.
- Prune with clean, sharp tools and make cuts just outside the branch collar (the swollen area where a branch meets a larger stem).
- Focus on improving structure in young trees—one main leader, and well-spaced side branches.
Practices to avoid
- Never “top” a tree. Cutting the top off creates weak, fast-growing shoots and long-term structural problems.
- Don’t remove large limbs over roofs, power lines, or driveways yourself—that’s a job for a professional.
- Avoid heavy pruning during extreme heat or drought unless there’s a safety issue.
For bigger structural work, storm damage, or anything involving rigging over targets, bring in a certified arborist.
5. Protecting roots and trunks
Most of a tree’s fine, absorbing roots live in the top 12–18 inches of soil, spreading well beyond the drip line. That makes them easy to damage.
Protect your trees by:
- Not parking cars, trailers, or heavy equipment under the canopy.
- Avoiding constant soil compaction from foot traffic in the same tight path.
- Keeping a mulched “no-mow” zone around the trunk to eliminate weed-whacker and mower damage.
Trunk wounds from line trimmers and bumping into trees with equipment are some of the most common, avoidable injuries we see—and they can open the door to decay and pests.
6. Seasonal tree care checklist
Spring
Summer
- Stay on top of deep watering during dry spells.
- Watch for leaf scorch, wilting, or early color change (signs of stress).
- Avoid aggressive pruning in extreme heat if you can.
Fall
- Remove leaf piles from around the trunk if they’re staying soggy.
- Schedule any needed structural pruning or removals so trees are ready for winter storms.
- Consider fall planting for certain species so roots can grow while the soil is still warm.
Winter
- In many Colorado neighborhoods, winter watering is critical for young and high-value trees.
- Keep an eye out for snow and ice load on branches.
- Use plows and snow blowers carefully around trunks and surface roots.
7. Recognizing early warning signs
Good tree care includes noticing changes early. Call a professional if you see:
- Sudden large branch failure without a clear reason
- Mushrooms growing at the base of the trunk or on major roots
- Significant areas of the canopy that stay bare or thin while the rest leafs out
- Deep cracks, cavities, or oozing areas on the trunk
- Visible lean that seems to be getting worse over time
An arborist can tell you whether the tree is still structurally sound or needs pruning, monitoring, or removal.
If you want to understand how one of our most iconic natives behaves as it ages, our post on native Denver trees: cottonwood is a good deeper dive.
When to bring in a tree care professional
DIY tree care goes a long way, but there’s a line where safety and experience matter more than saving a few dollars.
Call a certified arborist for:
- Large branches over homes, driveways, or play areas
- Trees near power lines or on steep slopes
- Suspected decay, root problems, or major lean
- Big-picture planning for which trees to keep, remove, or plant
Regular, simple care—watering, mulching, protecting roots, and pruning with purpose—can easily extend a tree’s safe, useful life by decades. Treat your trees as long-term residents of your property, and they’ll pay you back in shade, beauty, and value for years.
