Now that we’re well into spring, the combination of warm weather and bouts of rain has the trees’ leaves blooming vibrantly. The variety of leaf colors certainly showcase the reason we have the nickname, Colorful Colorado. One in particular that we’re going to focus on this month is the luscious locust tree, read on to learn more!
The Locust Tree
The most common type here in Colorado is the honey locust tree. They’re a great option for planting due to their fast growth rate, tolerance to soil types, and resistance to pests.
With proper care, these trees can grow up to 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide, making them great for privacy, and their fern-like leaves create a wide canopy, providing lots of shade.
How to Recognize a Locust Tree
Honey locusts in particular can be easier to spot due to their yellow hue in the leaves compared to the surrounding trees.
Their leaves begin to bloom in late May and into the beginning of June; their bright color a sign that summer is well on its way. Their tree bark can also range in color and texture- from a smooth gray to a rougher brown.
These trees are also known for their thorny branches as a defense mechanism, making them not much fun to trim and maintain. This can also be a potential hazard for pedestrians in the event of storm damage or decay, which can cause branches to fall.
Luckily, ArborScape is properly equipped to handle locust tree care, whether it’s trimming branches, a full removal, or managing pest issues.
What’s Wrong with my Locust Tree?
Like all healthy trees, locusts benefit the environment by absorbing and filtering pollutants in the air, and also provide food and shelter for other wildlife. However, any tree that have been stressed by drought or wounds can be more susceptible to pests and disease. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for regarding your locust tree.
Mites and locust borers tend to be the more popular pests attracted to locusts. Mites chew away at the exterior of the tree, and normally don’t cause too much damage, but a heavy infestation of mites can cause injuries to the tree, such as growth reduction and twig dieback.
ArborScape offers general insect sprays to help mitigate these issues before they become a bigger problem.
These trees can also attract locust borers. These beetles tunnel beneath the bark of stressed trees and lay their eggs, disrupting nutrient flow and weakening the tree even further.
Signs of this borer can include “weeping” around any open wounds, and small oval exit holes made by the beetles as they surface from beneath the bark.
If your tree is in great condition, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about these borers, as they are more likely to prey on locust trees that have already been stressed by a wound or drought. So, make sure to water your trees properly and keep an eye on any possible stressors like pests or breaks in the limbs.
Canker is another issue associated with locust trees. Though fungal diseases tend to be more common in areas with high moisture content, any sort of trapped moisture combined with the wrong microorganisms can lead to spore production, especially on any open wounds in the tree.
Signs of canker will start at the base of the tree or around any wounds the tree may have sustained, whether it’s from a lawn mower or breaks in the branches.
Some areas of the tree can also show a reddish-yellow discoloration in the bark, and the bark will likely be loose with the wood underneath showing that same discoloration as the branches.
If not taken care of, canker can girdle the trunk, which will eventually lead to the death of the tree.
Much like the pest issue, if your tree is healthy, there shouldn’t be much cause for concern. Pruning out the decaying branches can help prevent the spread of canker, and making sure to keep any wounds dry will also help mitigate any issues.
However, if you’re still concerned about your locust tree and would like someone to assess your tree, ArborScape has certified arborists readily available for free estimates. Give us a call today at (303) 806-8733 to have someone come out to your property.
Or, you can fill out the form below, and someone from our office will respond ASAP. Choose ArborScape for all your tree concerns!
