Spring is one of the best times during the year to work on your garden, especially when it comes to planting trees. As you work on your plans to upgrade your landscaping and are interested in planting trees, this is the perfect time of year. While you work, it is important to make sure you are properly handling the task. Learn why spring is the ideal time to plant, tips to plant trees and best ways to maintain, use these tips from your local Denver tree service.

Why Spring is the Ideal Time

Did you know spring is one of the best times of year to plant trees? When trees are in a state of dormancy, which occurs in the winter, it is a great time to plant them just before the warm weather arrives. Once summer hits, you might be losing money you invested as the heat can hurt the process of the tree growing in its new spot. Plus, when planting in the spring, they have the rest of spring, summer and early fall to grow before harsh winter sets in. While some trees are better to plant in other months, many thrive when being planted in the spring. To learn more about which seasons are best to plant trees, read Garden Myths’ “Best Time to Plant Trees.”

Tips for Planting

When planting trees, make sure you call your local utility company before digging. You want to ensure you do not contact and damage any type of power lines. Once you know you are in the clear, make sure you dig a hole that is medium in width and length. Too shallow or deep can lead to your tree not growing properly. You can use the original area they were buried in as a gauge for how deep to build. Once you have dug your hole and place in your tree in the proper upright position, add the soil around it making sure it does not shift. Once all of the soil is back in place, smaller trees will most likely need a stake. This will help it grow in proper place without movement. After this step, you can mulch around the tree. Make sure to only add a couple inches of mulch to not suffocate the tree. In addition, leave some room around the base of the tree too.  

Maintenance Tips

Ensuring your newly planted tree gets new water is important for its survival. While you want to be cautious to not overwater a tree, young trees typically require more water that older. You will want to water around the base of the tree, and as the tree grows, you will want to provide water in the circumference around the outermost part of the tree. As you water, take it slow and only allow it to get eight to 10 inches of water. Also, it is best to water early in the morning before the heat of the day sets in.

Planting trees can be a tough job. If inexperienced, it can lead to damage or destruction of your trees. Allowing a professional to help can help your trees grow. For an expert you can trust, contact American Arbor Care in Denver,CO. From tree and shrubs to landscaping needs, we have you covered.

Denver weather continues to change its mind about the season, and in April we experienced a heavy freeze with the sudden snowfall. Many trees were affected by freeze damage, like ash, honey locust, and some oak trees – but not to worry, many trees lost leaves, but they will continue to grow and push new sets of leaves in the coming weeks. It is important to make sure all your trees are in good condition and maintaining proper health, so pay attention to watering during this spring season and make sure all your plant life is fully hydrated. Pests can also have a heavy effect on your trees when not tended to – and at this time, IPS beetles could damage your pine or spruce trees.

Are you making sure your pine and spruce trees are being properly cared for to avoid damage from IPS beetles? These little bugs can do quite a bit of damage and the best thing you can do is to be prepared and take preventative measures. Learn what the IPS beetle is, ways to protect pine and spruce trees with trunk injections and other information about spring deep root fertilization from your local tree service company.

What is the IPS Beetle?

IPS beetles are small black or red/brown insects that are attracted to pine and spruce trees—more specifically, pine and spruce trees that are in failing shape. Because of their activities, they are also known as “engraver beetles.” Trees can become damaged due to poor care or from weather damage that leads to the trees to get into poor shape. IPS beetles thrive on weakening trees. The IPS beetle works its way into the bark of the tree. From there, it digs tunnels within the tree which eventually leads to its demise. You may notice that there is an IPS beetle infestation in your tree by noticing yellow or red dust around your tree. There may be small holes around the tree as well. Woodpeckers are often drawn to the IPS beetle, so if you see more woodpeckers than usual, it may be another sign of an issue.

Protecting Pine and Spruce Trees with Trunk Injections and Sprays

By protecting your pine and spruce trees with sprays or trunk injections, you can help to bring back your trees and avoid attracting IPS beetles. When the trees are ailing, it is important to do everything you can to bring them back to life. Make sure you are watering your trees frequently, at the proper amount. Next, make sure you have the dead or dying branches trimmed. When you use the injection method for pest prevention, you will be covered for an entire season. By using a spray, you can help to combat beetle infestations from becoming a larger issue.

Spring Deep Root Fertilizations

Another way to help your pine and spruce trees this spring is through deep root fertilizations. During this fertilization process, a pipe is placed to around a foot into the ground. Fertilizer is inserted into the pipe and transported through the ground. Deep root fertilization can also be a way to help bring back struggling trees. Ideally, you will want to use an arborist to manage this type of fertilization. They can also assess damage on your tree and make other suggestions to help improve its health.

If you are ready to help improve the health of your pine and spruce trees, American Arbor Care can help. We have a variety of tree and shrub health management services that will get your trees back in shape. This will also help to deter IPS beetles. To get started, give us a call at 303-639-8584.

Trees take time to flourish and grow. No matter what age, it is important to ensure they are cared for to make sure they continue to grow. Spring is an ideal time to refresh your memory on how to care for the trees in your Denver landscaping. From the importance of fertilizing trees in the spring and treating trees for insects to general tree care tips, use these tips to help your trees to thrive.

Importance of Fertilizing Trees in the Spring

Winters can be harsh on landscaping, especially on trees. That’s why spring is an important time to give your landscaping some extra work to help them bounce back. If you notice that any of your trees are looking ill, fertilizing can help. For instance, look for discolored or misshaped leaves and dying branches. One of the most efficient ways to fertilize your tree and help give it the nutrients it needs to come back to its full potential is through soil injection. Soil injection takes fertilizer in liquid form and inserted into the ground around the trunk of the tree. The injections are inserted by pressure. You can work with a arborist to help you find the right amount and what pattern is best around your tree.

Treating Trees for Insects

There are a variety of insects that can harm your trees. The best way to prevent this is to be proactive, but if they have begun their damage, you can still catch up. When it comes to the types of insects, there are insects that will burrow within the tree, eat leaves, or use branches and twigs as food sources. One of your top priorities to combat insects is to ensure the tree is healthy by giving it the appropriate amount of water, mulch throughout the year, and prune. It also needs fertilization. Next, look for an insecticide that will protect your trees from insects, kill any on the spot, and not harm the tree at all. It is crucial to care for the trees as soon as you spot damage and eradicate harmful insects to help ensure they will live a long life.

General Tree Care Tips

The spring is a great time to mulch your trees. First, clear out old mulch and rake away any extra debris. Then, fill the space around the tree, leaving some room around the trunk. Next, make sure you are properly watering your tree. The amount of necessary water depends on climate, weather, and tree type. You want to pay attention to the weather and how much your trees get naturally because providing extra water can lead them to wilt. On the flip side, not enough water can also be extremely hazardous. For more tips to care for your trees, read the Arbor Day Foundation’s tree tips.

When it comes to all your tree and shrub health management needs, American Arbor Care has you covered. We can help your trees year-round but especially in the spring and call. To schedule an appointment, call us at 303-639-8584.