Seeding your lawn is something to do to your lawn and landscaping each spring and fall. Fall is typically the time you will add in new seed to your lawn and spring is the time to over-seed. Why? It is crucial to help your grass grow and become healthy after the harsh winter months. Learn how to tackle damage from larva activity and turf diseases as well as reasons to use a pre-emergent for weed protection.

Lawns damaged by larva activity

One of the dangers to be aware of in your yard and landscaping are larva or lawn grubs. After a few years once these insects are fully grown, they turn into the many forms of scarab beetles. In the larva state, these are small insects eat the roots of grass to survive. Even though you can’t easily see them, these insects can do some extensive damage to your lawn as they eat the roots of your grass and plants. They do a lot of their damage in the winter as they dig deeper within the soil—but can damage your yard at any time. Keep an eye out for patches of brown, dead grass. In other areas, the ground may have a squishy feel as you walk across it. You may also notice outside animals damaging your lawn, which is a red flag that they may be in search of larva in the soil. To combat this issue, you can invest in chemicals that won’t hurt your lawn, but will eliminate the problem. Learn more in Better Homes and Gardens Stop Grubs in your Lawn.

Turf diseases

Just as people get sick, so can our turf lawns. Those who do not tend to their lawns and give them proper care are more likely to have their turf fall victim to disease. When this occurs, a variety of issues will become noticeable in your lawn. One of the most common types of turf diseases is necrotic ring spots. It is a fungus that kills grass in ring-like patterns that can make its way through a yard. Snow mold is another disease that can affect lawns, especially post-winter. Grass blades can become damaged if snow falls onto it but the weather is not cold enough where the grass freezes. Therefore, it can develop mold that kills the grass. Learn more about this disease in How to Manage Snow Mold in Denver Lawns. Last, leaf spots, also known as melting-out disease, are another issue to turf. This happens when a fungus sets in and produces brown spots along the grass blades. You can work with your local tree service to find solutions to help bring your diseased turf back to life!

Using a pre-emergent for weed prevention

Spring is also the time to make sure your lawn is protected from weeds. To accomplish this, you will utilize pre-emergents. Pre-emergents are herbicides that help to stop the growth of weeds. By using one of these early, you can get ahead of a problem so weeds never sprout out of the surface.

For all your lawn care needs, American Arbor Care is here to help. From helping your trees bloom this spring to having perfectly green grass, we can give you the assistance needed as we transition into spring. Give us a call at 303-639-8584 today to get started.

’Tis the season for specialty borer applications to rid your trees and shrubs of honey locust borers, black locust borers, and viburnum borers. Like all borer species, these pests lay their eggs in the bark and the larvae which hatch then burrow beneath the bark to feed. Heavy infestations will kill a tree. Unfortunately, infestations are all too often detected too late to save the tree. When it comes to borers–not bores, that’s entirely different–Denver tree service companies advocate prevention over treatment.

The Morton Arboretum and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service describe honey locust and black locust borers, which are similar.

Honey locust borers attack small and medium sized honey locust trees and branches, preferring diameters exceeding two inches thick. They prefer stressed trees to healthy plants. Adult honey locust borers emerge in June and feed on the foliage. Females lay eggs covered with a frothy substance that hardens. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow beneath the bark to feed. Honey locust borer infestation causes gradual decline of the tree and dieback of twigs and branches in the crown.

Black locust borers don’t eat honey locust trees, just black locusts and its cultivars. The larvae tunnel into the wood and weaken the tree’s structure, making it susceptible to breakage in strong winds. Adult black locust borers are easy to spot: about three-quarters of an inch long with reddish legs, black antennae, and bright yellow bands circling a black body. Adults often feed on goldenrod in the fall. Egg laying occurs in late summer through mid-autumn. Larvae emerge in spring and early summer. This native insect has a range that spans the Allegheny Mountains to Georgia to the Ozark Mountains.

Viburnum borersfeed on the lower parts of viburnum trunks, branches, and roots. Adults are day-flying moths that look like wasps with one-half inch long, bluish-black bodies with yellow markings and clear wings. Larvae are pinkish white caterpillars with reddish brown heads. Like most borer species, these prefer already stressed plants and aren’t fussy about which variety of viburnum they eat. Only arrow-wood viburnum is reported to be resistant.

Treatment is applied either as a spray or soil drench. Spray insecticides should contain permethrin or carbaryl to be effective and should be applied directly to the bark of the plant from the soil line upward. Preventive sprays should be timed just prior to egg laying for best results. Because timing spray applications is important, pheromone traps can be used to capture adult males to confirm insect activity.

As with all chemical applications, check to see whether certification or licensing is required before heading out to the local garden center to purchase a gallon or six. Because timing of the application is just as crucial as coverage, application of preventive sprays is best left to the experts to tree service company experts.

Should you discover too late that trees on your property have succumbed to borer infestations, the trees will have to be removed. Especially with locust trees and their long, sharp thorns, it’s best to hire a professional tree removal service to safely cut down the tree and remove the infested wood. Infested wood should not be composted.

American Arbor Care specializes in tree and shrub health. Trust your Denver tree service professionals to accurately determine the pest infestation and to know how and when to control it. Also experts in tree removal, our team can cut down infested and diseased trees safely and dispose of the damaged wood. Call them at (303) 639-8584 to schedule a consultation to protect your valuable trees.