Are your trees and garden ready for heavy spring snow?

DENVER (KDVR) — Plant and tree experts say now is the time to prepare yards for the cold and snow headed for the Front Range this week.

The weight of the snow in the forecast could cause problems for weak branches, and flowers already blooming could be at risk. FOX31 spoke with an expert about how to prepare your yard before the weather changes.

Prepare your trees before it snows

When it comes to tree preparation, some work is necessary to help protect them from heavy snow.

“What we are trying to focus on is to keep the branches from bushing out towards the tips,” said David Boswell, Ross Tree Company’s general manager.

If the tips of those trees get too heavy, they could be more at risk of breaking.

“One thing we want to do is thin the tree out so that you’re not getting a big buildup of snow too fast,” Boswell said.

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It’s even worse for weak branches.

“When they’re dead, they’re not going to be flexing anymore, and that is going to make them more prone to catastrophic failure,” Boswell said.

Plant and garden care before spring snowstorm

Boswell said trees need maintenance year-round. And when it comes to plants, they need special care too.

“If you’ve got stuff that’s flowering and it’s going to get super cold, you are going to want to cover that or bring it inside if you possibly can,” said Deborah Robertson, City Floral’s annual greenhouse manager.

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Pansies can survive, but they will lose their flowers. Perennials should be fine, along with tulips and daffodils, which could be coming up already, Robertson said.

But if you planted any vegetables, cover them with frost guard. Plants with tall stems could also be at risk.

The level of threat to your spring garden will depend on how much snow falls and how long and low freezing temperatures last.

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