Our Trees Have A Drinking Problem.....
After the East Troublesome Fire during the autumn of 2020, every tree in our community just became instantly more valuable, and people have started to take notice. Trees provide shade, privacy, slow the wind and water run-off, and can add significant value to our properties and the environment.
In the Columbine Community, it is fairly common to see dwarf mistletoe damage, burnt and charred trees from past fires, and the occasional stand with an ongoing ‘beetle issue.’ Winter 2021-22 will go down in the record books as nothing short of extreme, and many trees took a significant hit, including in Columbine Lake!
“With average winter snowfall, how could so many trees be stressed?” you may ask.
My response would be one that considers more than just the snow. If you will remember, our autumn was very dry (in fact, one of the driest on record). Evergreens are always transpiring – or giving off water, when they release oxygen. Think about your Christmas tree – always miraculously drinking the water from the tree stand! And when the water runs out, your tree dries out, and needles change color, followed by dropping to the floor.
When the snow finally came to Grand County in late December, so did the freezing temperatures and so did the cloud coverage. The cold temps lasted right up until the beginning of April, and didn’t allow any snow to melt. And when you compound that, with the fact we had a very dry summer and fall, trees simply didn’t have anything to ‘drink,’ and began to dry-out.
We will also see trees with ‘partially effected’ canopies. That could also be related to increased exposure to sun or wind – both of which dry out needles. It may even be related to extreme temperature fluctuations. When night time air temperatures frequently reach -30 degrees (F), and then the sun comes up and heats the leaf surface to a balmy 50 degrees, exposed cells can actually explode!
With all the things that could be effecting your landscape, it’s a good idea to have your local ISA Certified Arborist come out assess the condition of your trees. If there is an insect or disease present, we can help you come up with a treatment plan. If your trees have winter damage, we can help them recover with a deep root soil injected fertilizer program, tailored to our soils and tree species.
By Korey Lofy, Grand County Arborist
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