When cold weather rolls in and temperatures plummet, your landscape is at risk. Trees and shrubs, especially young, newly planted, or drought-stressed ones, can suffer real damage when exposed to sudden or prolonged cold. And if you’ve invested in your outdoor space, it’s only natural to want to keep it thriving, even through the harshest months.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to protect trees and shrubs during freezing temperatures, from understanding what’s at stake to simple, effective steps you can take right in your own yard. Whether you’re preparing for a brief freeze warning or planning for the full season ahead, this article has everything you need to keep your landscape healthy and looking its best.
Why Freezing Temperatures are a Real Threat to Your Landscape
What Damage Looks Like
When temperatures fall to 32°F or lower, the water inside a plant’s cells begins to freeze. As ice crystals form, they can rupture cell walls, leading to visible damage and, in severe cases, long-term health issues for the plant. This type of cold damage can vary in severity. You might notice something as simple as leaf discoloration, or something more serious like dead limbs or split bark.
Hard Freezes
During a hard freeze, which means temperatures stay below freezing for an extended time, the risks increase. Rapid temperature drops can shock the plant system, especially if a warm spell had them prematurely waking up for spring. Cold winds and frozen ground reduce a plant’s ability to draw moisture, often causing winter burn. And when new growth appears too early, it’s usually the first to die back when the cold returns.
Signs to Look out For
Some of the early signs of freeze damage include blackened or wilted leaves, shriveled stems, or delayed leaf-out when spring arrives. If the bark has split or if branches appear brittle and dead, the plant may have been pushed past its limit.
What Plants Need Protection?
Not every tree or shrub in your yard will need special care when a freeze hits. Cold-hardy, well-established plants often manage just fine. But some types are much more vulnerable and need attention.
Trees and shrubs planted within the last year haven’t yet developed the deep root systems or hardiness to withstand extreme cold, so they’re among the first to need protection. The same goes for any tropical or subtropical varieties that aren’t suited for the Pacific Northwest climate. Evergreens, with their year-round foliage, lose moisture even in cold months and can suffer if that moisture isn’t replenished. Plants already struggling due to drought are also more susceptible to winter damage, and early bloomers, like magnolias, can be caught off guard by mid-winter warm spells followed by a freeze.
While some garden plants can survive one night of freezing weather, it’s always best to check the forecast, understand your specific landscape, and not rely on guesswork. A single cold night can set back young or delicate plants significantly, especially if repeated over several days.
How to Prepare Your Plants for a Freeze?
Keep an Eye on Warnings
When the National Weather Service issues a freeze warning, it means temperatures are expected to drop to 32°F or lower for several hours. This can be enough to cause visible damage or even kill tender plants. Paying close attention to these warnings is key to being proactive rather than reactive.
Water Before the Freeze
One of the most important steps you can take is to water your plants before a freeze. Moist soil holds warmth better than dry soil, which means your plant roots are less likely to freeze. This is particularly helpful for newly planted or shallow-rooted trees and shrubs. However, moderation is important. Don’t saturate the soil, but do make sure it’s consistently moist.
Add Mulch
Adding mulch is another helpful step. Apply two to four inches of mulch around the base of trees and shrubs, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot. Mulch acts like insulation, helping to regulate soil temperature and keeping roots safe from dramatic temperature drops.
How to Protect Your Trees
Wrapping
Trees, especially those that are young or recently transplanted, can benefit from being wrapped. Wrapping the trunk with burlap, frost cloth, or a tree wrap creates a barrier that reduces the risk of frost cracks and sunscald. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference. Start at the base and wrap upward toward the lowest branches, securing the material as you go. Once winter ends, remember to remove the wrap to prevent mold and pest issues.
Shelter
Another option is to create a temporary shelter around the tree. This can be done by placing stakes around the tree and draping a row cover or frost cloth over the top. The goal is to protect the tree from direct exposure to wind and frost while allowing air circulation. Be sure the covering extends all the way to the ground to trap heat radiating up from the soil.
Mulch
Mulching the root zone, if you haven’t already, is essential for trees in colder temperatures. Spread mulch out to the drip line of the tree to offer the most benefit. This helps keep the root system stable during fluctuating weather.
How to Cover Shubs During a Freeze
Shrubs are generally easier to cover than trees, but choosing the right materials and using them properly is key to effective protection. Breathable fabrics like frost blankets, burlap, or even bedsheets work best; avoid placing plastic directly on the foliage, as it traps moisture that can freeze and cause more harm. Covers should be draped loosely, reach all the way to the ground, and ideally be supported by stakes to prevent contact with the plant. Since cold wind can be just as damaging as freezing temperatures, adding a windbreak, such as burlap screens or placing shrubs near fences or walls, adds another layer of defense against winter burn.
Do’s and Don’ts of Cold Weather Protection
To get the best results when trying to protect your landscape from the cold, there are a few things to keep in mind. It’s always a good idea to water your plants before a freeze, as well-hydrated soil insulates roots more effectively than dry soil. Use breathable materials for covering your plants, and always remove those covers once temperatures rise again.
Avoid using plastic directly on leaves or branches, since it can trap moisture and worsen cold damage. Don’t leave covers on for extended periods, as that can lead to overheating or mold issues. Also, resist the urge to prune plants that appear damaged immediately after a freeze. Often, it’s best to wait until spring to see how much of the plant has survived before trimming anything back.
After the Freeze: What Comes Next?
If your plants have suffered some visible damage, try not to worry too much right away. Many plants will appear lifeless after a freeze, only to bounce back in early spring with fresh new growth.
Give your landscape a few weeks once the weather begins to warm up. If you start to see bud swelling, leafing out, or new green shoots, those are good signs your plants are on the mend. Once new growth is well underway and the threat of frost has passed, you can trim away any parts that are clearly dead or not recovering.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to water plants before a freeze: Moist soil insulates roots better than dry soil, so skipping this step can leave plants more vulnerable.
- Using non-breathable materials for covers: Plastic or other non-porous materials can trap moisture, increasing the risk of freeze damage.
- Pruning too soon after a freeze: Damaged plants often look worse than they are. Early pruning can remove parts that would have recovered in spring.
- Overlooking newly planted trees and shrubs: These are especially sensitive to cold and need extra protection during their first winter.
- Not monitoring freeze warnings: Weather can change fast, and missing a freeze alert can cost you valuable prep time.
Why Let True Design Take Care of Your Yard in Cold Weather?
At True Design Landscape, we understand how important curb appeal and outdoor beauty are to homeowners in the Pacific Northwest. We also know how to keep that beauty intact—even when the temperature drops. Our team specializes in thoughtful, locally informed landscaping that we tailor to each property’s unique needs.
If you’re unsure how to protect your trees and shrubs during freezing temperatures, or if you’d rather have a professional take care of it for you, we’re just a call or message away. We’ll help you prep, plan, and protect your landscape with confidence.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or ask about our winter landscape care services. Your dream yard deserves year-round care, and we’re here to help make that happen—no matter the weather.
