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Horticulture With A Passion

Defying Winter Drought

7117745054 • February 21, 2025
With snow on the ground and frigid temperatures fluctuating, what’s exactly new about this winter weather here in Denver? But did you know that even with snow or sleet, your trees can still be at risk for winter drought?

We’ve seen many environmental disorders in trees due to non-native species being planted here in Colorado. While we love a diverse urban forest, this can lead to plant health issues because some trees aren’t equipped to thrive here without assistance.

Due to Denver’s high elevation, being closer to the sun means that any moisture we receive tends to evaporate into the air rather than get absorbed into the soil. And when the temperature is this cold during a snowfall, there really isn’t much moisture in the snow anyway.

And we all know that water is an essential component for a tree’s overall health.

While we have received a considerable amount of precipitation in the last couple of springs, that doesn’t mean your trees or plants aren’t still prone to drought stress.

Additionally, droughts can happen at any time of the year, not just when and where it’s hot. It can be brought on by a myriad of environmental factors, such as low humidity, dry winds, and restricted root growth due to compacted soil.

 And unfortunately, we’ve seen that winter droughts have the capacity to do maybe even more damage than summer droughts.

 So, one question you might be asking yourself is, has my tree been affected by winter drought?
pine tree in winter drought

Symptoms of Winter Drought

Winter drought effects can prove to be quite severe. Symptoms may differ from tree to tree, but you’ll usually see pine needles turning brown while other tree’s leaves curl up. 


On both deciduous and coniferous trees, the leaves will change colors before dropping while their roots dry out under the frozen ground due to the inability to absorb moisture from the soil.


However, drought stress in deciduous trees can often look like leaf scorch, where the area most affected has curdled leaves that brown along the leaf margins or veins.


Meanwhile, on drought-stressed coniferous trees- mostly evergreens- the color changes depending on the species of tree.


For example, winter drought can have fir leaves changing to yellow or even red. Spruces usually turn yellow or brown but can even become red or purple depending on how advanced the case is.


With pines though, it’s important to note that the older needles browning before falling can also be due to natural needle drop, so further inspection may be needed to adequately determine the source of the problem.


That’s where ArborScape comes in. Our certified arborists have expert knowledge of the Denver area combined with the best tactics on how to rejuvenate your trees and maintain their health all year long.


While existing damage from winter drought can’t be reversed, the stress of it can be lessened with the proper horticulture practices.

Practices to Avoid Drought Stress

One such practice - and service that we offer - is winter watering. While watering your trees and plants seems like an obvious solution in the summer, watering in the winter is just as important for consistent health.


Deeply watering from the surface to a depth of 8-12 inches has been observed as the best method in getting enough water into the soil so the tree roots can properly absorb enough water and nutrients.


For optimal results, watering twice a month in the summer and once a month in the winter is recommended. Just be sure to not overwater your tree as you’ll end up with a whole other host of issues.


Another method to prevent drought stress is by properly mulching the base of your tree.


Mulch acts as a protective barrier against the natural elements, such as the scorching sun or gusty winds. It also retains moisture much easier than our Colorado soils.


So, when properly done, mulching your tree’s base can help reduce moisture loss and can even help improve moisture penetration into the soil.


While these practices are not a guarantee against the stress winter drought can bring, they can make a significant difference in the health and recovery of a tree.


If you’ve tried these methods and are still uncertain about the state of your tree, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (303) 806-8733. Our certified arborists will come out for a free estimate to discern the condition of your tree and find the right treatment plan for its overall health.


And if you have any other questions, check out our website for more information on how we care for the trees in the Denver area.

Defying Winter Drought
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Complete Tree Care

By 7117745054 • February 7, 2025
If you’re in need of expert tree care but aren’t sure where to start, ArborScape is here to help guide you through the optimal treatments for complete tree care, such as trimming or pruning, correcting soil deficiencies, and monitoring and providing pest control to keep your yard healthy. As arborists, our interests lie in preserving trees, which is why we offer a variety of PHC ( plant health care ) services; so we can provide the complete tree care necessary for maintaining a healthy urban canopy throughout the Denver Metro Area.
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Luxurious Tree Services in Lakewood

By 7117745054 • January 31, 2025
Looking for top notch tree services in Lakewood? Look no further than ArborScape! Our certified arborists have over a combined 50 years of experience in the Metro Area and know the landscape incredibly well and can offer your trees the best care possible, from annual health treatments to regular pruning and trimming. Different Tree Services in Lakewood Pruning & Trimming: We offer tree pruning and trimming services for the health of your tree and safety of your property. Removal: We remove dead or dying trees for the safety of properties and offer stump grinding for a smooth lawn. Plant Health Care (PHC): Our plant health care options include tree spraying for insects, tree fertilization and root stimulators, as well as other tree injections for optimal nutrients during the appropriate seasons. Benefits of Tree Trimming Getting your trees trimmed regularly can benefit you in the long run. This type of maintenance can help you avoid pests, disease, and property damage. Difference Between Trimming & Pruning While trimming and pruning are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. Tree pruning consists of removing dead, diseased, and damaged branches for the health of the tree. One example of this is pruning fireblight out of trees in the winter to prevent the spread of the disease. Meanwhile, tree trimming involves the removal of interfering branches, like branches growing into each other or over roofs and driveways. Both, however, provide a neater aesthetic and help assist in the overall health of your property. When Should I Remove My Tree? Regular assessments of tree health are essential for maintaining the vitality of your landscape. Homeowners should consider seeking professional tree care services when they notice signs of distress in their trees. Once our arborists make a diagnosis, the decision is then up to you. We recommend looking into getting a full removal if you notice any of the following; a hollow trunk, if the canopy is more than 50% dead, or if the tree is diseased or pest-ridden and beyond help. A hollow trunk can leave a tree unstable, meaning it may fall at any point, leaving you with damage on your property or even a neighbor’s. While there are treatments to help improve a tree’s canopy or assist with disease or pests, once a tree is too far gone, it’s an easier (and often cheaper) option to remove and replace rather than throw money at various treatments in hopes of aiding the tree back to health. We don’t want to remove a tree just for the money, which is why we do more than just tree trimming and removal. We provide an array of tree services in Lakewood. In certain cases, our PHC (plant health care) services can bring back that lush vibrancy to your yard. PHC Services Since we care more about the overall health of trees rather than just hacking away at them for a result, we offer plant health treatments to aid in root development, and ensuring your trees have the nutrients to grow properly. Tree Fertilization & Stimulators: Due to Colorado’s sandy and clay soils, we offer a blend of micronutrients that help fertilize the soil for tree root development. Iron Treatments: Along with needing extra micronutrients due to the soil, it’s also possible for your tree to have an iron deficiency, meaning it won’t produce enough chlorophyll- the chemical that makes a leaf turn green. But not to worry, we have a treatment for that, too. Insect Sprays: Since we live in such an arid climate, the trees here don’t always have the nutrients they need, meaning they’re more prone to stress- the leading cause of pests and disease. Our insect sprays help combat these issues. Our treatments protect against the emerald ash borer , Ips beetles, aphids, and mites. Certified Arborists Our certified arborists ensure safe, reliable tree services in Lakewood, and can provide licensing and insurance for your peace of mind. As arborists, we believe in sustainability and a truly green industry, which is why we strive to offer the best tree services in Lakewood. We’re happy to provide free estimates with various treatment options that we believe will bring life and health to your trees. Keeping your trees healthy keeps our urban canopy healthy, which is incredibly important as trees provide us with amazing benefits. So help us help you keep our trees healthy so they can continue keeping us healthy. Call us at (303) 806-8733 for a free estimate on our tree services in Lakewood.
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Efficient Tree Services in Englewood

By 7117745054 • January 24, 2025
Looking for top notch tree services in Englewood? Look no further than ArborScape! Our certified arborists have over a combined 50 years of experience in the Metro Area and know the landscape incredibly well and can offer your trees the best care possible, from annual health treatments to regular pruning and trimming. Different Tree Services in Englewood Pruning & Trimming: We offer tree pruning and trimming services for the health of your tree and safety of your property. Removal: We remove dead or dying trees for the safety of properties and offer stump grinding for a smooth lawn. Plant Health Care (PHC): Our plant health care options include tree spraying for insects, tree fertilization and root stimulators, as well as other tree injections for optimal nutrients during the appropriate seasons. Benefits of Tree Trimming Getting your trees trimmed regularly can benefit you in the long run. This type of maintenance can help you avoid pests, disease, and property damage. Difference Between Trimming & Pruning While trimming and pruning are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. Tree pruning consists of removing dead, diseased, and damaged branches for the health of the tree. One example of this is pruning fireblight out of trees in the winter to prevent the spread of the disease. Meanwhile, tree trimming involves the removal of interfering branches, like branches growing into each other or over roofs and driveways. Both, however, provide a neater aesthetic and help assist in the overall health of your property. When Should I Remove My Tree? Regular assessments of tree health are essential for maintaining the vitality of your landscape. Homeowners should consider seeking professional tree care services when they notice signs of distress in their trees. Once our arborists make a diagnosis, the decision is then up to you. We recommend looking into getting a full removal if you notice any of the following; a hollow trunk, if the canopy is more than 50% dead, or if the tree is diseased or pest-ridden and beyond help. A hollow trunk can leave a tree unstable, meaning it may fall at any point, leaving you with damage on your property or even a neighbor’s. While there are treatments to help improve a tree’s canopy or assist with disease or pests, once a tree is too far gone, it’s an easier (and often cheaper) option to remove and replace rather than throw money at various treatments in hopes of aiding the tree back to health. We don’t want to remove a tree just for the money, which is why we do more than just tree trimming and removal. We provide an array of tree services in Englewood. In certain cases, our PHC (plant health care) services can bring back that lush vibrancy to your yard. PHC Services Since we care more about the overall health of trees rather than just hacking away at them for a result, we offer plant health treatments to aid in root development, and ensuring your trees have the nutrients to grow properly. Tree Fertilization & Stimulators: Due to Colorado’s sandy and clay soils, we offer a blend of micronutrients that help fertilize the soil for tree root development. Iron Treatments: Along with needing extra micronutrients due to the soil, it’s also possible for your tree to have an iron deficiency, meaning it won’t produce enough chlorophyll- the chemical that makes a leaf turn green. But not to worry, we have a treatment for that, too. Insect Sprays: Since we live in such an arid climate, the trees here don’t always have the nutrients they need, meaning they’re more prone to stress- the leading cause of pests and disease. Our insect sprays help combat these issues. Our treatments protect against the emerald ash borer , Ips beetles, aphids, and mites. Certified Arborists Our certified arborists ensure safe, reliable tree services in Englewood, and can provide licensing and insurance for your peace of mind. As arborists, we believe in sustainability and a truly green industry, which is why we strive to offer the best tree services in Englewood. We’re happy to provide free estimates with various treatment options that we believe will bring life and health to your trees. Keeping your trees healthy keeps our urban canopy healthy, which is incredibly important as trees provide us with amazing benefits. So help us help you keep our trees healthy so they can continue keeping us healthy. Call us at (303) 806-8733 for a free estimate on our tree services in Englewood.
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