Whats in store for 2013?
Assuming the heat and drought continue through the spring months, old tree pests and diseases will spread quickly and new ones may be introduced to the Colorado landscape.
Here is the latest from the United States Drought Monitor
Colorado is considered to be in a state of “extreme drought” or “exceptional drought” depending on what part of the state you live in. Most predictions are expecting the drought to continue or get worse.
Summary of Colorado trees that are under watch:
Ash Trees
The good news is that our Colorado ash trees are still safe from Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). EAB has destroyed millions of trees in the central and upper Midwest of the United States. Attempts of controlling the ash borer have met with little success. Sited in Kansas City, Mo. in 2012, EAB continues a slow journey south and west. The cause of its spread is due to firewood movement from humans. It would take hundreds of years for it to reach Colorado if not for the rapid movement of firewood.
Walnut Trees
Thousand canker’s disease has been threatening black walnut trees in Colorado for several years now. In 2013, arborists will remove thousands of walnuts. The disease is created by a tiny fungus spreading twig beetle. This beetle creates a fungus that leaves dead spots in its tracks and when one of these beetles makes an appearance on your walnut tree it brings thousands of its buddies.
Aspen Trees
Due to the dry weather aspen trees have been losing to old enemies while developing new ones. Old problems such as leaf spot, aphids, and scale continue to plague Colorado aspens. While new problems such as SAD (sudden aspen death) may entail a tiny bark beetle that attacks weakened trees slowly killing them. And an insect making its way from Vail and Aspen called the willow scale.
Austrian and Scotch Pine Trees
The mysterious disease is called pine wilt and the pinewood nematode seems to be the culprit. Pine wilt has the potential to cause mass devastation throughout eastern Colorado. Nematode disease has gone rampant due to the unusually warm and dry weather. Other parts of the world that are affected are Nebraska and Kansas who have seen high tree loss.
Being part of our plant health care program will ensure your trees and plants the best opportunity to thrive. Receive your tree care quote today.
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