January 2024 | American Arbor Care | Tree Services in Denver

Trunk Wrapping Trees in The Winter: Why it’s Important

americanarbor January 3, 2024

If you’ve ever purchased a tree from a nursery, you were probably advised to wrap its tender trunk before winter hit. Northern states are prone to icy conditions, and young trees require a little bundling to weather the season. Let’s look at how trunk wrapping can help to protect young trees from winter damage and how to do it properly.

The Benefits of Trunk Wrapping Young Trees

Trunk wrapping should be performed in late fall and left on young trees until the last spring frost. This layer of protection keeps a vulnerable trunk from being exposed to the elements, which can quickly harm and even kill a tree. Some perks to trunk wrapping include:

It protects the bark from sunscald. This occurs when intense sunlight warms the bark of the tree and activates cells. When the temperature drops, these cells are damaged and killed, leading to sunken and discolored spots that flake away, leaving exposed flesh beneath.
It prevents frost cracks. These vertical cracks form when the temperature drastically flucuates and falls in the winter months. They can cause a tree to become vulnerable to pests and diseases.
It insulates the cambium. The cambium, or inner bark, has cells that can “wake up” when the warm sun shines on it in winter. Once awake, these cells begin to move water through the trunk. When temperatures plummet, they freeze and burst, leading to large cracks that damage the inner bark.
It reduces deer from browsing. Hungry deer look for quick snacks in the winter, and tender tree bark tastes delicious. This can lead to open wounds, which can cause a tree to be susceptible to pests and diseases.

How to Trunk Wrap Young Trees

To prevent unnecessary injury, it’s best to trunk wrap young trees. Follow these easy steps to keep them protected through the winter:

Trunk wrap your young trees late in the fall, but before the first frost.
Use trunk wrap material that is breathable, but pick a material that won’t damage the bark. Solid options include tree wrapping paper, burlap, and heavy fabric.
Start at the base of the tree and begin wrapping the material around the trunk. Continue until you reach the branches at the bottom of the tree. Overlap each layer by at least 1/3 so that the trunk is protected. When finished, secure the trunk wrap with twine or heavy-duty tape.

How to Unwrap Young Trees in the Spring

Spring is a time for new growth and fresh starts, and it’s the perfect time to unwrap your young trees. The best time for unwrapping trees is in the early spring after the last frost. Simply remove the wrapping material, beginning at the top. Carefully unwrap the tree while paying attention to its bark. Work slowly so the tree’s trunk isn’t injured as its unwrapped.

Additional Tips

Here are a few additional tips to ensure that your young trees are wrapped properly through the winter months.

Never use plastic wrap or other non-breathable materials to wrap your trees. They will trap moisture inside which can quickly damage the bark underneath.
Wrap your tree firmly, but avoid wrapping it too tight. This can lead to a restriction of air and water flow throughout the trunk.
Check on your tree regularly. Make sure the wrapping material is still intact and make repairs as needed.
Don’t forget to remove the wrapping material in the spring. Otherwise, your tree can be susceptible to disease and insect damage.

Protect Your Young Trees Through the Winter Months

Properly wrapping your young tree trunks through the winter will give them the best shot at growing tall and healthy. If you’re worried about wrapping your tree trunks or if you have questions about the process, don’t hesitate to call your local arborist. At American Arbor Care, we’re here to help you keep your trees growing healthy and strong, all year long. Contact us today.

Dutch Elm Disease | What is it and How Can You Control it?

Kerstin Kim January 3, 2024

American elm trees are native to North America, and they can grow to magnificent heights and live for centuries. Unfortunately, they’re susceptible to a devastating disease known as Dutch elm disease, or DED, that can quickly spread and devastate large areas where healthy elms grow. So, what is Dutch elm disease, and how can you prevent it from spreading to your health Denver trees? Our arborists at American Arbor Care are committed to keeping our Colorado elms healthy and strong.

What is Dutch Elm Disease?

Dutch elm disease is caused by a fungus that is spread by elm bark beetles. These tiny pests carry the spores of a fungal pathogen called Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. When an elm bark beetle burrows tunnels through the bark of an American elm tree, it leaves spores behind which quickly infect the tree. DED can infect all species of elms that are native to North America, but American elms are the most susceptible to the fungus. Once a tree has been infected, it quickly deteriorates and dies within three years.

A Brief History of Dutch Elm Disease in Colorado

Around 100 years ago, Denver city officials and local homeowners planted around 100,000 American elm trees throughout the city and state. In 1948, DED was first discovered in the state. Luckily, it died out and did not spread. In 1968, the disease reappeared and wreaked havoc on healthy elms in Denver, but it did not kill them all. Fortunately, Colorado did not have a case of DED for many years. This streak of luck ended in July of 2023, when the Denver City Forester confirmed DED along 17th Avenue in the South Park Hill neighborhood.

How Does Dutch Elm Disease Spread?

Dutch elm disease is a fungal disease that is spread by elm bark beetles. As the beetles fly from tree to tree, they carry spores and leave them behind on the as they burrow tunnels underneath the bark. Adult female elm bark beetles lay eggs under the bark of healthy elm trees, and when they emerge as adults, new beetles are released to infect more trees in the area. It’s a fast-spreading fungal disease that is hard to spot, and infected trees must be treated preventatively in order to be saved.

What Are the Symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease?

Symptoms of DED include:

Discolored leaves
Wilting leaves and branches
Upper canopy leaves that begin to die and turn brown
Fallen leaves in the spring and summer
Brown streaking along the sapwood (located underneath the bark of infected branches)

As the disease progresses, branches will begin to die and the tree will quickly decline. An untreated tree with DED will die within two to three years of infection. If you suspect that your tree has been infected, it’s crucial to have an arborist check it out as soon as possible.

How to Save Your Elm Trees from Dutch Elm Disease

There is no cure for DED, but there are preventative treatments to keep it away, and successful treatments to keep the infection at bay. When an elm tree is diagnosed with DED, infected branches must be removed and disposed of properly. This will slow the spread of the disease throughout the rest of the tree and to nearby elm trees.

At American Arbor Care, we offer preventative trunk injections for healthy elm trees that will effectively prevent the spread of DED. This is the best and most effective treatment option to keep your elm trees from falling prey to DED. If you’d like to know more about DED and you’d like to have your elm trees treated for the disease, we’re happy to help. Contact American Arbor Care today.

americanarbor January 5, 2024

White oak trees are magnificent, stately, and large. If you’re looking for a wise, slow-growing tree that withstands harsh weather and a variety of soil conditions, you won’t find one as alluring as the white oak. Let’s look at what makes these trees so special, and whether you should incorporate them into your home landscape (spoiler: the answer is “yes!”)

What Does a White Oak Look Like?

White oaks are tall and strong deciduous trees, with a wide-spreading crown that’s filled with dark green leaves. Each leaf is four to eight inches long, with finger-like lobes on each side and at the top. During the fall, leaves turn to a wine-red or bright orange-red color that’s magnificently beautiful and slowly fall to the ground as the wind blows late in the season.

The bark of a white oak tree is light grey, with scaly plates and ridges. When a white oak tree has been established for around 20 years, it begins to produce acorns and continues to do so each year until the tree is around 100 years old.

Where Does it Grow?

White oak trees can grow in hardiness zones 3 through 9, which means they can thrive in most areas throughout Colorado. In fact, they grow well in many climates throughout North America. They can be found as far north as Minnesota and Canada, and as far south as Florida and Eastern Texas. Thanks to their adaptability and hardiness, white oak trees can grow in a variety of soil conditions and moisture levels.

How Big Does it Get?

These trees are known for their stately beauty, and at maturity, reach heights of 50 to 80 feet. Equally impressive, white oak trees have a spread that’s just as wide as they are tall, offering ample shade for your yard. They grow at a moderately slow rate, with height increases of around 12 to 24 inches per year.

White oak trees have a very long tap root, which ensures that the trunk is strong, but because of this, it’s best to transplant them as very young trees.

What Does it Need to Grow?

White oak trees are slow-growing and long-lasting, thanks to their incredible tolerance and adaptability. They are great for creating dense shade areas across your landscaping with the potential to keep your home cooler in the hot Colorado summer months.

What Type of Soil Does it Need?

These trees can adapt to most soil types, but they grow best in slightly acidic soil that’s deep, moist, and well-drained. They tolerate moderate droughts and wet soil conditions but are intolerant of alkaline soil and soil that is disturbed by construction or other urban activities. In fact, alkaline soils with high pH levels in the soil can cause a white oak tree to develop chlorosis.

How Much Light Does it Need?

White oak trees grow best in places where they can receive direct sunlight throughout the day. They can also thrive in partial shade areas, as long as they receive at least four hours of unfiltered sunlight per day.

Are White Oak Trees Native to Colorado?

There is only one type of oak tree species that is a native tree to Colorado. White oak trees are native to eastern and central North America, but they can grow in hardiness zones 3 through 9. They can be found as far north as Canada and in southern states like Florida, and they span from East Texas to southern Maine.

Interesting Facts

White oak trees are massive, strong, and hardy, and they can grow to become very mature trees living for hundreds of years.
Their acorns provide food for birds, hoofed wildlife, and rodents alike.
The oak leaf buds of a white oak tree are eaten by several species of birds and deer.
Lumber from white oak trees was used to build the famous USS Constitution (also known as “Old Ironsides”).
White oak trees provide the best wood for barrels used to store wine and whiskey. That’s because it’s strong, long-lasting, and contains tiny tissues called tyloses to keep the liquid inside the barrel where it belongs.

If you want to know more about white oak trees or any other tree, contact us at American Arbor Care today!

Winter Time is the Best Time for Tree Removal: Here’s Why

Kerstin Kim January 9, 2024

Tree removal is a task that takes a lot of planning and prep, so it’s best to schedule it at the right time. Spring may be the best season to plant flowers and vegetables in your garden, but surprisingly, it’s not the best time to remove a tree. There are many advantages to scheduling tree removal in winter that are less invasive to the surrounding landscape. Let’s look at what makes winter the best time of year for tree removal.

The Benefits of Removing Trees in the Winter

Removing trees in the winter is a much easier process that causes less stress to the tree and surrounding landscape. Although it may be a chilly job, the process will go much smoother than if it was scheduled for a warm, summer day. One added perk is, most pests and diseases are also dormant in winter, which lessens the risk of them spreading as the tree is effectively removed.

Trees are Easier to Access

Most trees in winter are completely bare, and all the leaves have fallen to the ground. This makes it much easier to access the many branches for removal. Fewer leaves means less mess, better access to proper cuts, and fewer loads of debris.

It Causes Less Damage to the Surrounding Landscape

When the ground is frozen in winter, it’s less likely to be damaged and disturbed by the crew’s tree removal equipment. Heavy branches and heavy equipment can tear up the tender summer soil, but in winter, they are far less likely to leave a mark.

How is Tree Removal Less Invasive in the Winter?

Winter is the prime time for tree removal for a number of reasons. It’s less invasive because:

plants and vegetation are dormant, which means they’re less likely to sustain damage from the crew’s tree removal equipment.
soil is typically frozen, which means it’s less likely to erode when the tree is removed.

Although most people schedule landscaping tasks for spring and summer months, tree removal really is best in the winter. That’s because it’s a time when plants and trees go dormant and the soil stays nice and frozen, right where it’s at. You won’t be sorry for scheduling tree removal in the winter.

Trust American Arbor Care With Your Tree Removal

Removing trees requires extensive knowledge, professional crews, and a lot of heavy equipment. Although it can be scheduled year-round, tree removal is best performed in the winter months. By scheduling a winter tree removal service, you can rest assured that your landscape won’t be harmed and potential diseases won’t spread. If you’re interested in having a tree removed from your property, your first step is to get an estimate from a certified arborist. At American Arbor Care, we’re equipped with the best crews, the best equipment, and the most experienced personnel in the Denver area. Contact us today to schedule a free estimate for winter tree removal.

The Importance of Pruning Young Trees and How it Can Prevent Storm Damage

Kerstin Kim January 9, 2024

Pruning young trees may seem counterproductive, but it’s essential to healthy growth. Let’s look at why pruning is so important, how you can do it properly, and how pruning can prevent your young trees from being susceptible to storm damage. Our arborists at American Arbor Care are experts at properly pruning trees and ensuring that they grow healthy and strong.

The Benefits of Pruning Young Trees

Pruning a young tree helps it to be upright and strong over the course of its (hopefully very) long life. By pruning away unneeded branches, you can create a strong base and structure that focuses new growth in all the right places. By pruning your young tree, its canopy isn’t just more aesthetically pleasing, it’s also more balanced, which ensures a stronger trunk and root structure beneath.

Diseased and damaged branches can affect the health of the entire tree. By pruning them away, you’re creating a healthier tree that can focus on new, healthy growth, without being weighed down by branches that are sick.

How to Prune Young Trees

Pruning young trees takes knowledge and skill, and it’s important to follow procedures to ensure that it stays healthy and strong.

Timing: The best time for pruning young trees is when they’re dormant. This is typically between late fall and winter. Dormancy means the tree is not actively growing, and it won’t be as affected by a few cuts here and there.
Tools: Use a sharp pair of pruning shears or a saw to prune your young tree.
Technique: Carefully cut branches at a 45-degree angle, just above a bud. Don’t make flush cuts or leave stubs. This can lead to open wounds that make a tree more susceptible to infestation and disease.

If you’re unsure about pruning your trees, contact your local arborist for advice, or to schedule a free inspection.

Specific Pruning Cuts For Young Trees

There are certain cuts that should be made when pruning young trees.

Central Leader: This is what arborists call the trunk of your tree. Sometimes you have to pick a central leader early on and remove competing branches so it grows healthy, straight, and strong.
Scaffold Branches: These are the main branches that support the canopy of the entire tree. Make sure they’re evenly spaced around the trunk to support the canopy, and pick branches that are angled upward.
Lateral Branches: These smaller branches grow off of the scaffold branches. Trim and prune these branches to give your tree a balanced canopy and overall pleasing look. Damaged and diseased lateral branches should always be removed.

How to Prevent Storm Damage

All trees are susceptible to storm damage, but there are steps you can take to help your trees weather storms more effectively.

Remove damaged and diseased branches. These branches are already weak and are most likely to break in a storm.
Thin out the canopy. If it’s too dense, no more than a third the canopy can trap wind, which can lead to broken branches and extensive damage. A thinned canopy allows wind to pass through as a storm blows in.
Raise the canopy to prevent wind damage. Prune away lower branches to allow wind to pass below and through the branches with ease.

Trust American Arbor Care With Your Denver Trees

Pruning young trees is a great way to provide preventative care. By shaping and pruning your tree, you can encourage it to grow healthy, balanced, and strong. This ensures that your trees are better equipped to weather any storm that blows in. If you have questions about pruning young trees, or you’d like to get a free estimate from a local arborist, contact American Arbor Care today. We’d be happy to ensure that your trees are pruned effectively.

Ash Anthracnose – What Is It & How To Get Rid Of It?

americanarbor January 9, 2024

Trees are hardy and strong, but it’s important to look out for diseases and pests that could affect them. Let’s take a look at ash anthracnose and how it can affect ash trees in Denver.

Understanding Ash Anthracnose

Ash Anthracnose is caused by a fungus that overwinters on twigs and fallen leaves. It thrives in cool, moist environments. When spring arrives, ash anthracnose appears as wet splotches on the leaves that quickly spread, and it causes young leaves to curl and pucker. The fungus can easily spread from an infected tree to other trees in the area, so it’s important to mitigate the problem quickly.

Impact on Ash Trees

Ash trees that are infected with anthracnose can suffer from cankers on twigs and a dieback of small branches. It also causes trees to drop their leaves prematurely. If the disease progresses, a tree can experience dieback of the lower branches and complete defoliation. Without proper treatment, anthracnose leaves a tree weak and susceptible to other pests and diseases, and it can quickly spread to other trees in the area.

Ash Anthracnose Life Cycle

Ash anthracnose is a fungus that overwinters on twigs and the stems of leaves. In the wet spring weather, spores spread and infect the tree, leading to a variety of symptoms. Water-soaked spots appear on leaves, twigs develop cankers, and the tree experiences premature defoliation. As the spores spread and leaves fall, the fungus can quickly spread to nearby trees. Ash anthracnose thrives in cool, moist weather, much like the climate here, in Denver. When spring arrives, it quickly spreads.

Importance of Early Detection and Mitigation Strategies

Early detection is key, not only to save a tree from becoming weak and vulnerable, but to avoid further spread of the fungus. To avoid this fungal disease, keep your trees properly pruned, adequately watered, and in good health. A healthy tree is far less susceptible to pests and diseases like ash anthracnose. If you’re worried about ash anthracnose, we’re here to help. Contact the pros at American Arbor Care.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the early signs of Ash Anthracnose?

Anthracnose appears in the spring, as water-soaked spots on the leaves. Young leaves may also be curled, twisted, and puckered as they begin to grow.

How does Ash Anthracnose affect the structural integrity of trees?

A serious infection can lead to defoliation and dieback in the lower limbs.

Can Ash Anthracnose be transmitted to other tree species?

Ash anthracnose can be transmitted to most ash trees.

Are there specific ash tree varieties more resistant to Ash Anthracnose?

Yes, the green ash is fairly resistant to the fungus.

When is the best time to apply fungicides for Ash Anthracnose prevention?

During the spring when buds begin to appear and the weather is exceptionally wet.

What cultural practices can homeowners adopt to minimize the risk of Ash Anthracnose?

Don’t overwater your trees.
Never compost leaves that have been infected.
Prune away diseased branches and twigs.
Rake and destroy leaves that fall in autumn.

Are there any natural predators or biological controls for the Ash Anthracnose fungus?

No, the best way to mitigate anthracnose is by keeping the tree healthy, properly pruned, and watered sufficiently.

How frequently should I monitor my ash trees for potential Anthracnose infection?

Check your tree frequently for signs of stress, but especially in the early spring as buds and leaves begin to appear.

Can Ash Anthracnose spread through contaminated tools or equipment?

Yes, ash anthracnose can spread via wet hands, pruning tools, and even clothing.

What role does climate play in the prevalence of Ash Anthracnose?

Wet weather is a breeding ground for most fungi, including ash anthracnose.