Evergreen trees are a fantastic option for landscaping in Colorado. There are so many varieties that are native to our arid environment, making them hardy, easy to care for, better for encouraging native environments and the biodiversity of the area, and so much more. They provide visual interest with their greenery that lasts throughout the entire year, and they also can be used to add privacy to your space, blocking unsightly views, muting unwanted noise, and creating some separation between your yard and the neighbors’ yard.
At Bath Garden Center & Nursery, we carry countless varieties of Colorado evergreen trees and shrubs suited to a variety of conditions. To get an idea of what we carry, check out our Plant Finder or learn more about our Nursery! We hand-pick only the best of the best plants, helping to ensure that you will have successful plants that will grow well in your space and effectively serve their intended purpose, whatever that may be!
How To Plant Colorado Evergreen Trees
The planting process is the first and most important step toward growing healthy and successful trees and shrubs. It is so important to plant your new tree or shrub properly if you expect to have a strong and healthy tree that will last a lifetime. Here is a step-by-step list to help ensure the success of your landscaping!
1. Select Your Tree
The first two steps really are interchangeable depending on your priorities. If you have a specific tree in mind, you will want to find the right space for the tree. If you have a specific space you need to fill, you will want to select the right tree for the space. There are so many different types of Colorado evergreen trees and shrubs with a large variety of features, colors, sizes, and the like. With all the options that are available, it can get overwhelming. That is why we offer our Plant Finder tool! This tool contains many of the varieties we carry at Bath and does not include any options that will not grow well in our environment. It also includes growing information, features, and requirements for each individual plant.
2. Select the Right Space
Ensuring your tree and your space are compatible is so important. If you plant a tree in an area that does not provide it with the resources it requires, you will not have a successful tree or shrub no matter what you do. So, when considering planting a new evergreen, be sure to do your research to ensure that the area you have in mind is suitable before planting!
3. Prepare Your Space
Once you have decided on the type of tree or shrub and have found a suitable location for it, you will want to prepare the area for planting. You should dig a hole that is as deep and approximately three times as wide as the root ball of the plant. If you do this ahead of time, you can also soak the hole with water to ensure that the soil in the area will be well saturated and able to provide your tree or shrub with easy access to water as soon as it is planted. You will also want to amend your soil if you haven’t already. Colorado soil is clay-heavy and dense and not conducive to healthy plant growth and establishment. If you want more information on how to properly amend your soil as well as some other tips for how to prepare your space, check out our Tree & Shrub Planting Guide!
4. Plant Your Tree
Once your space is prepared, place your tree or shrub in the hole, being sure to lift the plant by the base rather than lifting it from the trunk or branches. Position your new plant material in the hole and position it upright, taking a step backward and circling the entire plant to ensure it is upright and not leaning in any direction. Once it is positioned to your liking, fill in the empty space evenly with your amended soil. Pack the soil in gently around the base of your plant and water immediately. Some soil may settle after watering and more soil may need to be added.
Pro Tip: All our trees, shrubs, and perennials come with a 1-year warranty. However, if you use MYKE Tree & Shrub when you plant, we will extend your warranty to 5 years! Learn more on our warranty page!
5. Maintain Your Tree
The first year of growth will be the most important for your newly planted tree or shrub. It takes a year and sometimes longer for any plant to establish itself, and in this time period, it will need more care and attention than it will need once it is established and mature. Be sure to water 2-3 times per week, add tree straps to any trees to help keep them stable in the event of strong winds or other situations that could cause them to topple over, and fertilize regularly!
Evergreen Tree Growing Tips
Water Slowly and Deeply
When you water your new plant material, be sure to water slowly for an extended amount of time. This will allow the water to soak deep into the ground around the root system and will encourage deep root growth. Allowing your hose to gush water for a short amount of time causes the water to spread out over the surface of the ground, leading to the water only soaking an inch or two into the ground. This will encourage shallow and wide root growth, which does not lead to a strong, stable, and hardy plant.
Fertilize
Just like any other plant, your tree will use up all the nutrients in the area over time. To keep the soil rich with nutrients, it will be important to fertilize periodically. Evergreens do not need to be fertilized nearly as often as other plants, though you will want to provide extra nutrients if you notice the needles of your plant fading or the overall color of your tree or shrub losing its deep green color. Application will vary depending on the type of fertilizer you choose to use. Learn more about fertilizers for trees and shrubs and shop our online selection!
Mulch the Base
Adding a layer of mulch around the base of your newly planted tree or shrub will help cut down on any weed growth and will also help hold in moisture. Especially during our hot and dry summers, water will evaporate causing the soil to dry out very quickly. Mulch can also help insulate the soil during the colder months!
Plant in Well-Draining Soil
Evergreen trees prefer to be planted in soils that drain well. Planting your new pine tree in soil that is soggy or wet will not encourage healthy growth. For this reason, evergreens are also not great for planting in or around lawn areas due to the high amount of water needed to sustain a lawn.
Wear Gloves When Planting Evergreens
If you have a sturdy pair of gardening gloves, you may want to use them! Evergreens tend to be prickly and can also be slightly sappy, neither of which are ideal for bare skin to come into contact with.
Planting Evergreen Trees Colorado
If you have any more questions regarding best practices for planting Colorado evergreen trees and shrubs, let us know! We are happy to help with all your planting questions. You can also find more detailed information in our Tree & Shrub Planting Guide. And lastly, don’t forget to check out our Plant Finder and start dreaming about all the beautiful evergreens you could add to your yard!