Droughts happen often in the Denver area, and current climate trends show evidence that we’ll face more severe drought-like conditions in the future. In fact, according to experts, Colorado has experienced the dryest 22 years in over 1,200 years. Without proper care, trees can quickly begin to suffer in a drought, causing stress, weakness, and premature leaf drop. Let’s look at the effects of drought on trees and what you can do to keep yours healthy.

What Happens to Trees During a Drought?

Trees need water in order to photosynthesize. During this process, a tree uses water,  sunlight, and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and energy in the form of sugar. When a tree doesn’t have enough water, it can go into dormancy, and will not photosynthesize properly. Trees without enough water will also stop growing. The effects can vary, depending on the type of tree, since some need more water than others. Burr oak trees and Kentucky coffee trees, for example, can tolerate drought-like conditions much better than trees that require a lot of water, like a weeping willow or birch tree.

How Can You Protect Your Trees?

Your trees depend on you to give them the water they need during drought-like conditions, so they can remain healthy and strong. Here are a few things you can do to take care of them properly.

Limit Pruning

During a drought, trees are already weakened, and you should avoid anything that will cause further stress. Don’t prune your trees when they’re not receiving adequate water. Wait until spring, and make sure they’ve got plenty of moisture around the roots so that they can withstand pruning and regrowth.

Skip Fertilizer

When trees aren’t getting enough water, they may stop growing. At this time, it may be tempting to add fertilizer to encourage growth. Not only will your efforts be fruitless — they may further injure your tree. Fertilizer adds excess nitrates to the soil, which can eliminate any moisture that’s around the tree’s roots. Trees are also very smart. When under stress, they go dormant so they can survive. Encouraging your trees to grow during a drought goes against nature’s method of helping them to survive.

Add Mulch

Mulch is tremendously beneficial to a tree’s base and root structure. When it’s hot and dry outside, add a thick layer of mulch around your tree’s base. The mulch contains all sorts of nutrients that can nourish your tree, and it locks in moisture and gives the roots a chance to soak up every drop. Mulch can also protect your tree’s roots from the hot, scorching sun, keeping them at a more comfortable temperature throughout the day and night.

Water Appropriately

When rain isn’t in the forecast, it’s up to you to give your trees the water they need. The amount of water your trees need depends on the type of tree and its age. Small, newly planted trees need two to three gallons of water per day, while large, mature trees may need 20 gallons a week or more. Use a soaker hose and place it under the tree. A good rule of thumb is to water your tree at a distance from its trunk which is 2/3 of its height. Water deeply, once a week, so moisture reaches several inches below the surface of the ground.

Seasons of drought, are unfortunately, here to stay, and it’s important to make sure you know how to prepare. These simple steps should ensure that your trees remain healthy and strong, so they can continue to grow and thrive, no matter what conditions Mother Nature decides to bring to Denver. If you’d like to learn more about how to care for your trees in Denver, contact us at American Arbor Care today.

What Does a Magnolia Tree Look Like?

There are many different species of magnolia trees, but in Denver, saucer magnolias grow best. They produce large, aromatic flowers that are can be white or pink. The leaves are long, smooth and shiny, and they grow up to six inches in length. The flowers emerge in early spring or summer, but it’s not uncommon for new growths to bloom again in the fall. 

When autumn arrives, magnolia leaves turn reddish brown and fall to the ground, leaving a magnificent branch structure that’s interwoven and thick.  Birds especially love to use them for nesting.

Where Does it Grow?

Magnolia trees grow all across the country, and can thrive in just about any climate. In Denver, the most common species is the saucer magnolia, since it can withstand harsh winters and brutal wind. In fact, the saucer magnolia grows across Colorado’s Front Range, since it’s so hardy and low maintenance. 

How Big Does it Get?

Magnolias can be pruned to grow as shrubs or trees, and they can live up to 80 years, if well-maintained. Shrubs can be pruned to be around 15 feet tall, while trees can grow up to an impressive 80 feet in height, in the native locations. They’re especially nice for landscaping purposes, since you can prune your magnolia to fit your space perfectly, and the sweet-smelling blooms make your yard look elegant and beautiful.

What Does it Need to Grow?

Magnolias are very hardy trees and they adapt well to their surroundings. They can tolerate most climates and are extremely resistant to frost and wind damage. If you want to prune your magnolia, do so after it’s done blooming, and only fertilize if your tree has yellow leaves or looks unhealthy. 

What Type of Soil Does it Need?

Magnolias can thrive in most soils, but they prefer well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. They can also tolerate soil that’s composed of clay, loam or sand.

How Much Light Do They Need?

Magnolias prefer full sun, but varieties like the saucer magnolia can thrive in partial shade as well. If your magnolia grows in an environment that experiences frost, it’s a good idea to plant your tree in a protected location like near your home or other warm structure. If a late frost is expected, and your tree isn’t very large, it’s recommended that you cover the leaves. Otherwise, it may not bloom in the spring.

Are They Native to Colorado?

Magnolia trees are native to North America, but only certain species can tolerate the dry, harsh winds and frosty elements of the Front Range. Saucer magnolias are especially resilient, and they can grow to be deciduous shrubs or small, round trees. Eight species are native to North America, including the  Southern, starr, loebner, sweetbay magnolia and cucumber tree. 

Interesting Facts

• The two oldest trees on the White House grounds were planted between 1829 and 1837. These Southern magnolia trees were planted by Andrew Jackson in memory of his late wife.
• Magnolia tree fossils date back over 100 million years, and they’re believed to be the earliest known flowering plant. 
• Magnolia trees rely on beetles for pollination, since the trees actually date back earlier than bees.

If you’d like to learn more about magnolia trees, contact us at American Arbor Care today. We’re happy to teach you all about magnolia trees and which ones will grow best on your property in Denver.

What does a Bosnian pine tree look like?

The Bosnian pine is a slow-growing tree that reaches heights of 50 to 70 feet when it’s fully mature. The spread of its branches can span 10 to 15 feet in width, making the shape of a Bosnian pine tree tall and narrow. Their pine needles are dark green and grow to a medium length, and the bark is light grey. Bosnian pines also produce cones that are around three inches long.  They tend to hold their needles much longer than many of our other pines planted for our area.

Although there are nearly 100 different types of pine trees in the northern hemisphere alone, the Bosnian pine sets itself apart by growing tall and narrow, and it’s branches aren’t as dense as other species, making it easier to see between them. This makes it a perfect tree for planting in your yard, since it doesn’t overpower other trees and plants.

What does it need?

Bosnian pine trees need lots of sun to grow. In fact, they prefer at least six hours of full sun exposure per day. Plant them on the south side of your home or other structures so they receive plenty of sunlight to grow healthy and strong. Besides careful pruning to shape them when they’re small, Bosnian pine trees don’t need a lot of TLC to thrive. Just plant them in a sunny spot and watch them grow — slowly, but surely.

These trees prefer soil that’s well-drained and sandy, but they can grow in soil that contains some clay, as long as it drains properly. When it comes to soil, Bosnian pine trees prefer acidic to slightly acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 6.5. Since Denver soil can be more alkaline, you may need to amend your soil ensure that you’ve got idea conditions for growth. 

Where does it grow?

The Bosnian pine is is native to mountainous areas in eastern Europe that have dry limestone soils. They’re abundant in places like the Balkans, Italy and Greece. In its native habitat, the Bosnian pine tree can grow to heights of up to 90 feet tall, but in places like Denver, they typically max out at around 20-25 feet tall. These trees can grow in places with elevation levels up to 6,500 feet, and in zones three through eight. You’ll find Bosnian pines at the base of Colorado’s mountains and throughout Denver, since its elevation is just under 6,000 feet.

Why the Bosnian pine tree grows well in Denver

Bosnian pine trees don’t need a lot of care, and their growth pattern is slow and steady. This allows these trees to form a sturdy root structure so they can withstand harsh, windy winters. Since they’re so low-maintenance, these hardy trees can grow in a variety of conditions, as long as the climate isn’t too warm. Denver weather is mild and chilly, and the soil is typically sandy loam, with varying amounts of clay. This makes the perfect environment for Bosnian pines to thrive.

Homeowners choose to plant Bosnian pine trees in their yards, since they’re beautiful, slow-growing, and low-maintenance. A Bosnian pine tree is also smaller and its foliage is less dense  than other types of pine trees, so it won’t overtake your yard as it grows.

If you’d like to learn more about Bosnian pine trees or other trees that grow best in Denver, contact us today. Our tree experts are happy to help you pick the best trees to plant in your yard.

It got its name from early Kentucky settlers who thought the tree’s seeds looked like coffee beans, and they used them to build railway sleeper cars. Kentucky coffee trees can be found in backyards and parks throughout the Midwest, and they’re also scattered throughout Colorado. Let’s take a closer look at these trees and what conditions they need to grow healthy and strong.

What does the Kentucky coffee tree look like?

The Kentucky coffee tree can grow up to 75 feet tall and has an oval or round spread of 40 to 50 feet in width. They provide lots of shade for backyard picnics, but they grow slowly, at around 12 to 24 inches each year. Kentucky coffee trees produce green seed pods that are 5 to 10 inches in length that turn brown as the seasons change. They’re one of the last trees to produce leaves in the spring, but they’re well worth the wait. These trees produce lovely greenish-white flowers that bloom right when the leaves are maturing in late spring, and they smell like roses.

What does it need?

Kentucky coffee trees are easy to care for and they can withstand all kinds of environments. They can thrive in soils that are acidic or alkaline, and they don’t mind loamy, sandy, or clay soils. Kentucky coffee trees do prefer well-drained soil that’s moist, but they’re extremely drought-tolerant. More than anything, Kentucky coffee trees love the sun, and they prefer at least six hours of unfiltered sunlight every day.

When planting a Kentucky coffee tree in your yard, make sure it’s in a sunny spot where it will get plenty of sunlight each day. This is usually on the south side of your house or other structures that could obstruct it from the sun.

Where does it grow?

Native to the Midwest, Kentucky coffee trees grow best in hardiness zones 3 through 8. Although Denver is in a Mountain State, these trees grow well throughout the city since it’s in zones 5b and 6a. In fact, this tree can grow throughout Colorado with little problem at all. They’re drought-resistant and can handle just about any soil, and their branches are strong enough to withstand mountain winds with ease.

Why the Kentucky coffee tree grows well in Denver

The Kentucky coffee tree was first named in Kentucky, but it grows well throughout the Midwest and into the Mountain States. This is, in part, thanks to the tree’s impressive ability to grow in a variety of soils, environments and climates. The Kentucky coffee tree grows thick, strong branches that can handle Denver’s winter winds, and it can handle the varied loamy and clay soils that can be found throughout the city. They don’t have many issues with insects or diseases, and they’re extremely tolerant to pollution and droughts.

Additionally, Kentucky coffee trees grow very quickly when they’re young, developing a strong root structure that keeps them tough. As they continue to grow, they slow down and reach their full height over many years. This allows the Kentucky coffee tree to remain firmly rooted in the ground as it grows and matures.

These trees are the perfect choice if you’re looking for shade trees, since their leaves filter light and allow it to pass through gently. They’re also lovely ornamental trees that will add beauty to your landscape. 

If you’d like to learn more about the Kentucky coffee tree, or you’ve got questions about adding some to your yard, contact us. Our tree experts at American Arbor Care would be happy to help you.