Iron Chlorosis – it sounds like a serious problem for your trees, but it is actually a fairly common problem in Colorado. It just means that your trees have an iron deficiency, and how that relates to their health is their ability to make chlorophyll.
Let’s review a quick science lesson to run through how plants gain nutrients:

• Plants and trees use the very important process of photosynthesis to gain energy from the sun through the leaves. It provides the nutrients and energy for the plant or tree to grow and also releases oxygen into the air.
• Photosynthesis is possible through chlorophyll – the nutrients allow for pigmentation in the leaves, which in turn, promotes photosynthesis.
• Chlorophyll is made with a few key nutrients – nitrogen, magnesium, and of course – iron.
• Without enough iron, the tree or plant is not able to produce enough chlorophyll to allow for photosynthesis, so its health will suffer.

How can you treat iron chlorosis?

Starting with the soil, nutrients can be implemented to lower the soil pH, but this is often ineffective if the tree has already displayed the warning signs of iron chlorosis (yellowing leaves with green veins). Sprays and injections are the best course of action to correct this issue.

Spraying the leaves with an iron solution can lessen the effects and promote chlorophyll production to help the overall health of the tree, but this must be done with great care. Sometimes these sprays can stain surfaces a reddish color due to the metallic compound, so sidewalks or walls near the tree must be protected or avoided by professional care. Another issue that comes with the leaf spray is the time – it is often only a benefit for a few weeks, and can be very troublesome to reach the entirety of the tree if it is large.

Treatment for Iron Chlorosis

The best and most effective method for treating iron chlorosis is trunk injections. These injections are focused on the base of the tree and allow the iron and nutrients to reach the roots more directly, and much faster. Holes are drilled in the trunk of the tree to allow for direct access. It is best to leave this task to the professionals for two reasons:

1) The tools required for a proper injection are not readily available to homeowners, and
2) These holes can allow for pests and disease to enter the base of the tree if not performed properly – causing more issues in the future.

With the correct treatment plan, you can save your tree from its iron chlorosis demise and promote new growth and prosperity! If you notice your tree’s leaves slowly turning yellow on the outermost leaves, make sure to call your local tree service to assess the situation. There is a big difference between this iron deficiency and normal fall changes, so it is best to contact an expert if you have any uncertainty.

American Arbor Care offers the best tree care in Denver and is ready to help you maintain your tree’s health. Contact our team today to learn more about iron chlorosis or follow us on Facebook for more tips and advice to keep your plants healthy all year.

Many plants that are entirely harmless to humans can be lethal to your animals. Every year hundreds of pets ingest toxic plants and suffer serious illnesses – or worse. When pet owners plan their landscaping, they often have no idea that they may be putting their pet in harm’s way. There are a few specific plants that are extremely dangerous, so it is important to understand any dangers before working with your Denver landscaping professionals to install them in your yard.

Castor Beans:

While this plant is not as common, it is important to know the dangers of castor bean plants. The seeds, leaves, and stems of the castor bean plant contain ricin, an extremely toxic protein which is lethal if ingested. In fact, ricin is even lethal to humans, and studies have shown that the amount of ricin that you would have to ingest for it to be lethal is about 500 micrograms – approximately the size of a grain of salt.

Poinsettia:

One well known plant that is toxic to both cats and dogs is the poinsettia. Poinsettia plants are not lethal to animals but will cause stomach irritation if ingested by your dog, cat, or rabbit. Other holiday plants that might make your pet sick include holly and mistletoe. If your pet ingests any of these plants, you should call your veterinarian right away – as it is always better to be on the safe side. Keep these festive plants on shelves or out of reach of pets to enjoy them this holiday season.

Common Plants to Avoid:

Common household plants that you need to keep away from pets are tulips, daffodils, ivy, aloe, daffodils, azaleas, and geraniums. All of these plants will, at the very least, cause flu-like symptoms if ingested.

Lilies and azaleas are among the most dangerous plants for dogs and cats to eat. Lilies can cause severe kidney damage in a dog, and death in a cat. If your pet eats a large amount of azaleas, there is a chance of coma and death. A small amount of azaleas will result in flu-like symptoms, drooling, and nervous system depression.

Toxic to Reptiles:

Azaleas and oleanders can be dangerous if eaten by a lizard or turtle. Buttercups and jimson weed will affect a reptile’s nervous system, while flax and soybean plants contain dangerous levels of toxic nitrates. If your reptile ingests something that you believe to be toxic you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

If your pet ingests a toxic plant, it is important to be able to identify the plant so that your veterinarian can properly care for your pet. If you cannot identify the plant that your pet ingested, it is always helpful to take a photograph of the plant to bring with you to your vet’s office. Also, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a 24-hour emergency poison hotline.

American Arbor Care offers professional tree, shrub, lawn, and landscape maintenance services across Colorado. Let us help you choose a pet-safe landscape at your home. Call us today at 303-639-8584 to more information.  

In Denver, weather patterns this time of year can be a bit unpredictable to say the least. How can you keep your trees and shrubs healthy during the fall and early winter? Normal watering has for the most part halted due to lower temperatures, but that can leave your trees and shrubs dry and under drought stress. Your go-to Denver tree services can help you maintain optimum health of your plants and trees by remembering a few key tips:

Sprinklers Have Been Winterized

While we have had some colder days recently, it is important to ensure your trees and shrubs are getting proper hydration when you are not maintaining your regular sprinkler schedule and watering routine. Pay attention to weather patterns and take advantage of warmer days by watering more deeply to make sure your trees and shrubs are not too dry entering the winter months.

Trees Under Drought Stress

How do you know if your tree is dry or experiencing drought stress? Particularly with our weather lately, Denver has experienced dry patterns which will affect your tree’s health if not properly addressed. When a tree experiences drought stress, you will notice that the leaves will prematurely drop their leaves. Here are some other signals that might alert you to a tree under drought stress:

• Leaves might be discolored or wilting and curling
• Leaves might be growing slower or not growing as large as normal
• Browned leaves
• Browning of needles on Evergreen trees
• Discoloration of needles in Evergreen trees in shades of reds or yellows

Maintaining proper hydration during this transitional period is very important for the health of your tree – it will ensure its stability and strength during the snow and frigid months. If it is not properly watered and hydrated it can be vulnerable for disease and pest infestation as time goes on. This has an effect in the long term as opposed to an immediate consequence.

How Much Should You Water?

While the lawn does have its own set of rules for watering, during this season, the trees take priority over the lawn in terms of watering. Damage to your trees now can cause major issues in the life of your tree, when lawns can be replaced much more easily.

CSU has a great reference for watering times and a formula for you to calculate how much you should water your tree: Tree Diameter x 5 minutes = Total Watering Time.
Keep in mind, this is generally for times of drought and should only be practiced on warmer days during late fall and early winter.

 Make sure to stay on top of proper watering methods in Denver and keep your trees and shrubs healthy through the winter. Have a specific case you would like expert advice on? Contact the team at American Arbor Care to learn more about how to best care for your landscape and learn more about common concerns, like why you shouldn’t worry about early fall needle drop in Denver.

As a part of your regular maintenance routine, deep root fertilization this fall should be reaching the top of your list. Now is the time to begin these fertilizations – always performed by your local Denver tree service. We wrote previously about early fall deep root fertilization in Denver and described what it is, when it should happen, and why trees need it – but we want to go into more detail about its overall importance, how it affects your tree’s health, any why it is best performed by professionals.

Why Worry About Deep Root Tree and Shrub Fertilization?

The simple (and perhaps obvious) answer is: health and new growth. Generally the soil nutrient content is not quite sufficient to be able to supply the tree with proper nutrition. One major reason trees should receive this treatment is to increase their stability and strength during the winter months – and can reduce breakage. Across the board, from the branches to the canopy of leaves and limbs, this fertilization can improve the density and overall growth in the warmer months to come.

Your Tree’s Immune System

Another great benefit to deep root fertilization is toughening your tree’s defense of disease and pests. While the soil is affected in a positive way, so is the natural defenses of your tree. Much like building up your own immune system through proper nutrition, deep root fertilization applies the same concept to your tree.
Much of the maintenance that is performed annually ensures proper growth and nutrition in later months in instead of immediately, so keeping to your scheduled or recommended maintenance is key to keeping your trees and shrubs healthy in the more significant stages of growth.

Soil Aeration or Compaction

An oversight that many homeowners have when it comes to tree care is applying just as much care to the soil as the tree itself. After all, the soil has a great effect on all parts of your tree! Deep root fertilizations of trees and shrubs can naturally bring more space into the soil and ease any soil compaction that might be suffocating surrounding tree roots. The fertilizer is the more accessible for the tree and has a more immediate connection.

Why Does It Require a Professional?

The main reason professional tree services in Denver need to perform deep root tree and shrub fertilization is mainly due to the equipment needed to perform it. The pros will use a specialized probe that applies high levels of pressure to the soil to reach the necessary depths. It also injects the fertilizer through a slow release to allow for proper absorption. These tools allow the fertilizer to de-compact the soil and actually reach the optimal part of the tree roots.

Curious about whether you will need this treatment? Contact your expert team at American Arbor Care. We deliver trusted, quality work all through the Denver area and can provide you with the right resources and recommendation. Be sure to follow up with us on Facebook and keep yourself informed of other recommendations like why you shouldn’t worry about fall needle drop.