Are your trees ready for a North Texas cold snap? While winters here aren’t as harsh as those up north, sudden freezes, strong winds, and dry air can still cause serious stress to your landscape. Protecting your trees during colder weather helps them stay healthy, resilient, and ready to thrive when spring returns.
At Fannin Tree Farm in Frisco, we’ve helped homeowners and businesses across the Dallas–Fort Worth area keep their trees strong through every season. With a little preparation, you can protect your investment and enjoy beautiful, healthy trees year after year.
Why Winter Protection Matters for Texas Trees
Our region’s winters are unpredictable. One day can bring sunshine and mild temperatures, and the next might drop below freezing overnight. These sudden temperature swings can lead to bark splitting, root injury, or even the loss of new growth on young trees. Cold, dry winds can also pull moisture from leaves and soil, leaving trees dehydrated when they need water most.
By preparing your trees before the first cold front hits, you can help them handle the stress of winter weather and emerge stronger in the spring.
Insulate the Roots with Mulch
Mulch is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect trees from cold weather. A thick layer of mulch helps maintain even soil temperatures and prevents roots from freezing. It also holds moisture in the soil, which can dry out quickly during winter winds.
Spread a layer of mulch a few inches deep around the base of your tree, keeping it slightly away from the trunk. This small step can make a big difference, especially for newly planted trees along Eldorado Parkway or near Stonebriar Centre, where soil tends to cool quickly.
Water Before Freezes Arrive
Many people assume trees don’t need watering in winter, but that’s a common misconception. Even dormant trees rely on water to stay healthy. Cold, dry air and low rainfall can leave soil parched, putting extra stress on roots.
Before a freeze, water your trees deeply so the soil can store moisture and help regulate root temperature. If the winter remains dry, continue to water every few weeks when the ground isn’t frozen. Established Live Oaks, Bald Cypress, and Cedar Elms around neighborhoods like Newman Village or Grayhawk will benefit greatly from consistent hydration through the cooler months.
Wrap and Shield Young Trees
Younger trees and those with thin bark, such as Red Oaks or Maples, are especially vulnerable to cold damage. Wrapping the trunk in a breathable tree wrap or light-colored paper can help prevent frost cracks and sunscald, which occur when daytime warmth is followed by freezing nights.
Start wrapping at the base and move upward to the lowest branch, overlapping the wrap slightly as you go. Remove it in early spring once the danger of frost has passed. In open or windy areas like Legacy West or The Star in Frisco, this extra layer of protection can be invaluable for newly planted trees.
Protect Smaller Trees and Ornamentals
If you have smaller or more sensitive trees like Desert Willow, Japanese Maple, or Crape Myrtle, covering them during extreme cold can help prevent frostbite. A frost cloth or lightweight fabric works well, just avoid placing plastic directly on the leaves. Drape the cover so it reaches the ground, trapping some of the earth’s warmth around the tree. When temperatures rise above freezing during the day, uncover the tree so it can breathe.
This method is especially effective for trees planted in open yards near Frisco Commons Park or commercial areas in Plano that experience higher wind exposure.
Prune Wisely and Plan Ahead
Pruning in late winter, before new growth begins, helps prepare trees for spring while removing weak or damaged branches that could break during storms. Avoid heavy pruning immediately before a freeze, since fresh cuts are more susceptible to cold injury.
Fannin Tree Farm’s experts can help you determine the right time and approach for pruning based on your specific tree species and property layout. Proper pruning not only keeps your trees healthy but also ensures safety around homes and driveways.
Watch for Wind Damage
Strong North Texas winds can be as harmful as freezing temperatures. If you have young or newly planted trees, consider staking them temporarily for added support. Use flexible ties that allow movement while preventing the trunk from bending or breaking. After one growing season, remove the stakes to allow the tree to develop natural strength.
This is especially helpful for properties in open areas of Prosper or Little Elm, where winds tend to sweep across open landscapes and stress young trees.
Hold Off on Fertilizer Until Spring
As winter sets in, it’s best to pause any fertilizing until early spring. Fertilizer applied too late in the year can stimulate new growth that’s easily damaged by frost. During the colder months, focus instead on soil moisture, insulation, and physical protection. When temperatures begin to warm, your trees will be ready for a boost of nutrients to kickstart healthy new growth.
Year-Round Tree Care from Fannin Tree Farm
At Fannin Tree Farm, we believe that caring for your trees doesn’t stop after planting. From selection and installation to long-term maintenance, our team provides expert guidance to keep your landscape healthy and beautiful. With decades of experience serving Frisco, Plano, McKinney, and the greater DFW area, we understand the unique challenges of Texas weather and how to help trees thrive in it.
Whether you’re protecting a new Live Oak along Preston Road, safeguarding a Red Oak near Lake Lewisville, or simply preparing your backyard trees for winter, our specialists are here to help.
Prepare Your Trees for a Healthy Spring
Your trees are one of the most valuable parts of your landscape. Protecting them during colder weather ensures they’ll continue to provide shade, beauty, and value for years to come. By watering wisely, insulating roots, and taking a few preventive measures, you can help your trees handle whatever this winter brings.
Visit Fannin Tree Farm in Frisco to speak with our team about cold-weather protection, tree care tips, or professional installation. Call us today or schedule a visit online, and let’s make sure your landscape stays strong and vibrant all year long.
