Tree & Shrub Planting and Care in Denver, CO

Quick answer

Healthy trees and shrubs in Denver start with correct planting depth, a wide shallow hole, mulch pulled back from the trunk and trees kept at least 15 feet from the foundation on expansive soil. Winter watering during dry spells, structural pruning against snow breakage, and a plan for ash trees now that emerald ash borer is in Denver all help.

Last updated October 22, 2026

Trees are not native to most of the plains the Denver metro is built on, so nearly every shade tree here survives on the water and care homeowners give it. That makes planting and maintaining trees and shrubs correctly especially important. The usual problems are planting too deep, overwatering in clay, drought stress in winter and snow damage.

Planting it right

Find the root flare. The point where the trunk widens should sit at or slightly above grade. Planting too deep is a leading cause of slow decline.
Dig wide, not deep. A wide, shallow hole lets roots spread into loosened soil without creating a basin that holds water in clay.
Loosen circling roots on container plants.
Mulch a few inches deep, pulled back from the trunk. On wildfire-prone lots, use rock or gravel instead of wood mulch within five feet of the house.
Keep trees back from the house. CSU Extension recommends planting trees at least 15 feet from the foundation on expansive soils.

Winter watering

Dry, sunny, windy winters with little snow cover stress trees and evergreens on the Front Range. CSU Extension recommends occasional winter watering during dry spells when temperatures are above freezing and the ground is not frozen, especially for newly planted and shallow-rooted trees. Water at midday so it soaks in before night.

Snow and hail damage

Heavy, wet snow in October or May, when trees still have leaves, regularly breaks branches across the Denver area. Good structural pruning while trees are young reduces the damage. Gently brushing snow off small trees and shrubs helps, but leave large or ice-loaded branches and anything near power lines to professionals.

Pests to know

Emerald ash borer: confirmed in Denver in June 2025. If you have an ash tree, decide whether to treat or replace it; Denver's Office of the City Forester has guidance and a map of right-of-way trees.
Japanese beetle: established in the metro since the early 2000s and feeds on roses, lindens and many other plants.
Aphids, scale and mites on stressed trees and shrubs, often worse during drought.

Pesticide treatments for hire must be applied by a company licensed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Pruning basics

Remove dead, damaged, crossing and rubbing branches first.
Prune spring-flowering shrubs such as lilacs soon after they bloom.
Avoid shearing every shrub into a ball, and never top trees.

Large trees and right-of-way trees

Large tree pruning and removals are better suited to a tree service with the right equipment and insurance, ideally with an ISA Certified Arborist. Trees in the strip between sidewalk and street are often city-managed or regulated, so check with your city before pruning, removing or planting there. In Denver, contact the Office of the City Forester.

When you're ready, request a landscaping company for planting or shrub care in the Denver metro.

Frequently asked questions

Should I water trees in winter in Denver?

Yes, during long dry spells. CSU Extension recommends occasional winter watering when temperatures are above freezing and the ground isn't frozen, especially for young trees and evergreens.

What should I do about my ash tree?

Emerald ash borer was confirmed in Denver in 2025. Have the tree evaluated, then decide whether to treat a healthy, valuable ash or plan a replacement. Treatments for hire must be applied by a company licensed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Can I remove or plant a tree in the strip by the street?

Trees between the sidewalk and street are often regulated by the city. In Denver, contact the Office of the City Forester before pruning, removing or planting; other cities have their own forestry or public works contacts.

Sources and further reading

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