Pine Tree Care

Pines are an iconic part of the Colorado landscape. Ponderosa, scotch, lodgepole and Austrian pines are just a few of the species you will encounter in Denver. 

Any discussion about pine tree health is really a discussion about beetles such as the IPS beetle and the mountain pine beetle. We have a dedicated blog about mountain pine beetle.

Pine Tree Health Care – If the needles on your pine are browning or falling off excessively, it may need nutrients via a fertilization or a good watering.

Natural needle loss cycles are typically two to three years. However, if the needle tips are splitting or folding back towards the host branch, that is a sign of drought.

Highlighted needles splitting and growing towards branch

If the tree turns red, it might have been hit by IPS or mountain pine beetle. The IPS has a ridge on it’s back while mountain pine has more of a rounded end.  Pine striped scale can also strike  and leave little white dots on the needles.  And in September watch for moths, called pine zimmerman moth. Browning of the top may indicate a pine zimmerman hit.

Pine Tree Pruning - Pines can be shaped and raised giving the tree a stronger ability to thrive and use nutrients more efficiently.  It will also look better and prevent the flattening effect of snow accumulation.

Pine Tree Removal - Pine removal is a straightforward process for most suburban homeowners because it just has the single lead (trunk). In rural and mountainous areas, thinning is a necessary evil to promote the health of the stand, prevent fire and survive the beetle epidemic.  Also, most homeowners in Colorado are required to remove trees hit by mountain pine beetle and dispose of them in a way that won’t effect other trees.

Contact us if you have any questions.