November Tree Care Tips: How to Prepare Your Landscape for Winter in Pennsylvania

November 1, 2025

November Tree Care: Preparing Your Landscape for Winter


As the final leaves fall and temperatures cool, November is one of the most important months for tree care in Pennsylvania. Preparing now ensures your landscape stays healthy through winter and emerges even stronger in spring.

At Perfect Harmony Trees & Gardens, we specialize in helping homeowners protect their trees from harsh winter weather with expert pruning, deep watering, and seasonal maintenance.


🍁1. Prune While the Branches Are Bare

When your trees have shed their leaves, their structure is fully visible — making this the best time of year for pruning. Late fall and early winter pruning reduces stress and prevents disease spread since most pests are inactive.

Pruning goals:

  • Remove broken, dead, or crossing branches
  • Improve airflow and light penetration
  • Prevent storm damage by balancing heavy limbs
  • Avoid over-pruning — never remove more than 25% of a canopy at once

📍Learn more about our Tree Pruning Services.



💧2. Deep Watering Before the Ground Freezes

Roots are still active in late fall, and a thorough watering before the first freeze helps trees store moisture for winter.

Best practices:

  • Water slowly around the drip line (not at the trunk)
  • Choose a mild, above-freezing day
  • Finish with 2–3 inches of mulch to hold in moisture and insulate roots

📍 See how our Tree Maintenance Plans protect your landscape year-round.



🌳3. November Is Still a Great Month to Plant Trees

Did you know you can still plant trees in November? Cooler temperatures help roots establish before dormancy, setting them up for strong growth next spring.

When planting in late fall:

  • Choose cold-hardy species
  • Water regularly until the soil freezes
  • Add a thick mulch ring to regulate soil temperature

 📍Browse our Tree Planting and Replacement Services to find the right fit for your property.



🧹4. Final Clean-Up & Winter Protection

Don’t skip end-of-season cleanup! It’s your last chance to protect trees from pests, disease, and frost.

Checklist:

  • Rake leaves and clear debris from around trunks
  • Inspect for rodent damage or bark cracks
  • Wrap young or thin-barked trees to prevent frost injury
  • Avoid piling salt near roots when treating icy walkways

📍For peace of mind during storms, explore our Emergency Tree Services.



🌲Why November Tree Care Matters

Proactive fall maintenance strengthens your trees before the stress of freezing temperatures and snow accumulation. When cared for in November, trees:

  • Withstand storms better
  • Experience fewer pest issues
  • Maintain shape, balance, and long-term health

Healthy trees don’t just survive winter — they thrive in spring.



🤝Schedule Your November Tree Service

Our certified arborists at Perfect Harmony Trees & Gardens provide expert pruning, planting, and seasonal protection throughout Bear Creek and nearby Pennsylvania communities.

Call us today or schedule online to prepare your trees for winter.


✍️About the Author

Perfect Harmony Trees & Gardens is a locally owned tree care company proudly serving Pennsylvania homeowners with professional pruning, removals, and landscape health services. Our mission is to bring beauty, balance, and harmony to every outdoor space we touch.


Follow us on Facebook for seasonal care tips and before-and-after project photos!

Winding road through autumn forest, vibrant orange and yellow leaves.
September 18, 2025
What changes: Leaves change color, drop off. Tree metabolism slows. Soil temperature drops, root growth slows. Autumn care tips: Clean up fallen leaves and debris. Decaying leaves can harbor disease; compost what you can, remove what you can’t. Final pruning. Remove any hazardous or dead limbs before snow and ice arrive. Avoid pruning too late in fall (very close to freezing), as wounds heal slowly in cold. Mulch again. Replenish mulch to insulate roots during winter. Water well. Before the ground freezes, give trees a good deep watering. Drought stress going into winter can lead to winterkill. 
Trees on a grassy bank next to a lake under an overcast sky.
August 7, 2025
Not sure if your tree needs to be removed? Learn the top signs Dupont PA homeowners should watch for to stay safe and protect their property.