Alberta winters can be unpredictable. Cold temperatures, road salts, wildlife and severe weather can damage both newly planted and established trees and shrubs. Taking a few steps in the fall can help prepare trees and shrubs for the months ahead, here are a few recommendations:
- Although spring is the preferred time to plant trees and shrubs, early fall can also be a good time to plant new trees before leaf drop has occurred. Soil temperatures are still warm, and the cooler air temperatures put less stress on the tree, allowing the tree to focus on root development.
- Younger deciduous trees can be susceptible to sunscald and winter dieback.
- Young trees with thin bark such as crabapple, mountain ash and plums are susceptible to sunscald. Sunscald occurs when sunlight warms the bark during the day, followed by rapid cooling at night causing tissue damage. To prevent sunscald, use a white tree wrap or tree guard as this helps to reflect sunlight from the trunk.
- To reduce branch dieback, avoid pruning, fertilizing, and over watering in late summer. This gives trees and shrubs time to harden off for the winter as new late season growth is more susceptible to cold injury.
- Winter desiccation can occur in evergreens such as junipers and cedar where the foliage turns brown. This occurs when winds dry out the winter foliage, and the plant is unable to transport water to the foliage because the rootzone is frozen.
- Keep evergreens well-watered to reduce stress going into the fall. Apply mulch around the root zone to hold moisture.
- Sometimes smaller evergreens are wrapped in burlap to protect from winter elements.
- Road salts can damage trees and shrubs during the winter months through salt spray and runoff. To minimize damage from road salts, avoid piling salted snow around plants. Choose trees and shrubs that are more tolerant of road salt exposure. Use road salt alternatives on walkways.
- Rabbits, mice, deer, porcupines and other wildlife can damage trees and shrubs during the winter months by feeding on twigs, bark, leaves, and stems.
- Cut grasses and vegetation short around newly planted trees to minimize protective cover for mice that may feed on the trunk or stems.
- Create a physical barrier around the trees to keep any wildlife away from young trees and shrubs.
For more information on planting trees, watering trees and tree care please see the links below:
Protecting trees and shrubs in winter
References:
Miller, B., Irish-Hanson, L., & Zuzek, K. (2026). Watering newly planted trees and shrubs. University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/gardening-in-minnesota/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs
University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. (2026). Trees and shrubs. Gardening at USask. https://gardening.usask.ca/gardening-advice/sorted-by-plant/trees.php
University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources. (2018, February 2). How to plant a tree. Gardening at Usask. https://gardening.usask.ca/articles-and-lists/articles-trees-and-shrubs/how-to-plant-a-tree.php
Weisenhorn, J., Johnson, G. R., Rideout, R., Sucoff, E., & Swanson, B. T. (2026). Protecting trees and shrubs in winter. University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/lawns-and-landscapes-in-minnesota/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-in-winter