To reduce mouse damage to trees, surround the trunk with a strip of hardware cloth rolled into a cylinder and fastened with wire ties. Bury the bottom about an inch into the soil and extend the cylinder at least a foot above ground. A taller cylinder will also help reduce rabbit damage to the trees. See the October newsletter for details. This is also your last chance to take sunscald precautions.
Roses are marginal in Montana, though some species and cultivars grow quite well in some areas.
If you haven't already done so, gently lay the canes down and use a heavy bent wire in a U-shape to keep them close to the ground. Leaves of maple, elm, and some other trees will mat and restrict penetration of air and water to the roots. If you're going to use them, mix them with leaves of other species or with willow twigs or spruce boughs before you apply them. Before the soil freezes, mound it over the base of the bush to a height of about a foot to protect the roots. When it freezes, cover the mound with about 6 inches of leaves to keep it frozen.