Trees, Shrubs and Vines
"If you plant them high they never die
If you plant them low you never know"


Curtis E. Swift, Ph.D.
Colorado State University Extension
Tri River Area

Index to articles


Diseases & Physiological Problems

Alcoholic Flux of Honey locust

Alcoholic or white flux occurs where microorganisms ferment sap in cracks and other wounds in the bark and cambial region.

Bacterial Wetwood

Bacterial wetwood is a common disease affecting the central core of many shade and forest trees. A short discussion and photographs are provided along with a link for further information.

Blackheart Injury

Blackheart injury is a debilitating factor effected by both rootstock and apple cultivars. Blackheart, a form of winter injury resulting in the killing and plugging of xylem tissue, is so named due to the resulting oxidative brown or black discoloration of the xylem. Blackheart may not cause the outright death of the tree but has been implicated in tree decline and reduced productivity. It has been reported that damage may not be apparent when less than 20% of the xylem is injured, while trees sustaining greater than 50/% injury may not recover

Black Knot Disease Apiosporina morbosum

Black knot is a very conspicuous and common disease of most species of Prunus, including sweet cherry and pin cherry. A photograph of the canker is provided as well as a discussion of the problem and its control.

Black Stain Root Disease of Conifers

The black stain fungus infects and kills several species of western conifers. The fungus colonizes water conducting tissues of the hosts roots, root collars, and lower stems, ultimately blocking the movement of water to foliage.

Chestnut Trees a short history of their demise

Chlorosis - A summary of recommended steps to correction

Accurate and rapid identification of the problem is paramount. A listing of chlorosis-inducing factors is provided. These should be ruled out before drawing the conclusion the chlorosis is induced by an Fe deficiency.

Cytospora Canker Cytospora chrysosperma

Cytospora is a problem of many trees including aspen, cottonwood, poplars, apple, willow, honey locust and maple. A short discussion and photographs of this problem are provided. A link to additional information is given.

Cytospora Canker of stone fruit - Peach Cytospora Canker Leucostoma persoonii

Leucostoma persoonii is a problem of members of the genus Prunus. This includes peach, apricot, cherry, plum (prune), nectarine and almond. This fungus can cause tree death in just a few years after infection.

Fasciations - fascinating distortions of the plant world

A fasciation is a widespread phenomena reported in more than 100 vascular plant species. The term refers to a flattened or ribbon-like appearance of the stem. Woody plants, annuals and even cacti are affected. In some plants fasciations occur on woody stems; other plants exhibit this condition in the flower stalk, fruit or flower clusters. Stems, fruits, flowers and roots can become fasciated.

Frost Cracks

Frost cracks are longitudinal cracks that occur in the bark and wood often extending several feet up and down and penetrating several inches into the trunks of affected trees.

Included (embedded) bark

Included bark is embedded between opposing branches, a branch and a main stem or two co-dominant stems creating a structurally weak point in the tree.

Natural Needle Loss by Evergreens

Needle loss in the fall is normal for many conifers. Even though these trees are called “evergreens” they do not retain every needle indefinitely. 

Phoradendron juniperinum

Juniper mistletoe (Phoradendron juniperinum) is a species of leafless mistletoe that infects Juniperus scopulorum, Juniperus osteosperma, and Juniperus monosperma.
Photos taken on the Colorado National Monument in western Colorado are included.

Powdery Mildew

This provides a photograph of powdery mildew on lilac, lists some susceptible plants and provides some control options. Additional on-like links and other references are provided.

Porcupine Damage

Porcupines cause damage by eating the bark off the trunks and branches of trees.

Quince Rust

Quince rust alternates between Rosaceous hosts and Juniper (Juniperus/Sabina). The Rosaceous hosts of hawthorn rust include Serviceberry [aka Juneberry, Saskatoon & Amelanchier (genus Amelanchier)], apple (Malus), Pear (Pyrus) and Mountain Ash ( Sorbus)

Leaf Scorch

Preventing leaf scorch in trees and shrubs.

Spruce Broom Rust - Chrysomyxa arctostaphyli

Rust brooms on spruce are commonly associated with spiketops, dead branches, bole deformation, loss of increment, and mortality.

Sunscald - A mid-winter problem of trunks and branches

Sunscald occurs during cold, bright days in midwinter due to fluctuations in bark temperature. A discussion of the problem, photographs, control options and a link to additional information is provided.

Treating gravel roads with magnesium chloride for summer dust control and its affect on spruce trees (Picea engelmanni).

Fertilizer Needs

Fertilizing Tree and Shrubs

A soil test report can provide specific information needed to develop a fertility program for trees and shrubs.

Phosphorus Levels and Mycorrhizal Fungi

Mycorrhiza are an integral part of most plants in nature and occur on 83% of dicotyledonous and 79% of monocotyledonous plant investigated. Infection of the root system of the plant by these fungi creates a symbiotic (beneficial) relationship between the plant and fungus. Very high and very low phosphorus levels may reduce mycorrhizal infection and colonization. This literature review provides details on the mycorrhiza and phosphorus relationship. References are listed.

General Tree and Shrub Maintenance

Selecting a Landscape Maintenance Contractor

Information to help you make the right decision.

Green Industry List Serve - Bulletin Board

This ListServ is an electronic bulletin board, designed as a forum for the commercial 'Green Industry'. This provides the means of disseminating information regarding workshops, disease and insect alerts, announcements, and research relative to the industry. To be added to the list, contact Dr. Curtis Swift.

Mulches, a comparison of; temperature relationships and plant growth

A rubber-based mulch was compared with three bark/wood mulches and bare non-mulched soil to determine the surface temperatures of each, the soil temperature below each mulch, as well as the leaf temperature and overall growth of plants in the mulched areas. Surface mulch temperatures as high as 173 degrees Fahrenheit were recorded. Plant growth was not negatively affected at these temperatures. All mulches examined maintained soil temperatures consistently cooler than occurred in non-mulched soil.

Watering during the winter

The need for winter water to maintain healthy roots during snowless winters is discussed.

Growth and Development

Spiral damage to branches on Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) caused by root injury.

The vascular system of spruce develops in a spiral pattern. Root damage consequently results in a spiral of damaged or dead branches that corkscrew from the base to the top of the tree. This article provides photographic evidence demonstrating the spiral damage that occurs when a portion of the root system of a spruce is damaged. Spiral damage on pine caused by lightning. This tree was struck by lighting. The damage appears as a spiral of bark "blown" off the tree from the top to the bottom.

Spiral damage to a pine struck by lightning

The vascular system of pine, like spruce, develops in a spiral pattern. This pine was struck by lightning at the top and spiraled down the tree "blowing" bark off the tree as it made it's way to the ground.

Insect Pests

The Ash Borer - Podosesia syringae Harris

The ash borer) is a serious pest of the European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) planted throughout Western Colorado. Emerging in spring, the adults mate, lay eggs and the resulting larvae bore into and construct galleries in wood beneath the bark causing severe damage to the infested trees. Ugly scars, accompanied by enlarged or swollen areas are associated with repeated infestations.

Black Vine Weevil - Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Fabricus)

This insect is seldom seen as the adult feeds at night but can cause considerable damage to flowers, shrubs and greenhouse plants. The adult notches the edges of leaves while the more damaging larvae feeds on the roots of the host plant.

Eriophyid Mites

Eriophyid mites are tiny creatures which affect many different plants. A general discussion is provided along with images of the damage they cause on various trees.

The Pine Eriophyid Mite
Trisetacus ehmanni feeds under the sheath of the fascicle at the base of the needles and can kill buds and cause yellowing, distortion and death of needles.    Since these mites live in the leaf sheath at the base of the needle, they are hard to control. 

European Elm Scale - Gossyparia (=Eriococcus) spuria (Modeer)

The European elm scale caused the die back of twigs and branches of elm trees. The black discoloration on the upper surfaces of the branches is due to`Sooty Mold' colonizing honeydew produced by feeding scale. Honeydew drips on leaves, upper surfaces of branches, on the tree trunk and people, cars and anything else underneath.

The Grape Leafhopper

The grape leafhopper is a pest of grapes as well as numerous ornamental shrubs and flowers. The dead tissue resulting from severe injury by this insect. As feeding damage continues to destroy the green photosynthetic ability of the leaves, the plant is weakened.

The Ips Beetle - Ips species - Engraver Beetle

A serious pest of pine and spruce, there are twenty-five species currently recognized in the Western United States. In Western Colorado Pinon pine (Pinus edulis) is the favored host of one of these Ips species (Ips confusus).


Pinyon Pine Mortality due to Ips

Pinon Ips Prevention and Control
Protection of Pinons in Construction Sites
Thinning the Pinon-Juniper Forest to Improve Pest Resistance

Japanese Beetle - Popillia japonica

An infestation of Japanese beetles was been found in Palisade (Mesa County) in mid-summer 2002. The initial discovery was based on a single adult Japanese beetle brought to Bookcliff Gardens, and forwarded to the Mesa County Extension office on July 23. A discussion of the insect and its life cycle is provided. The trapping protocol for this insect is also included.

Peach Tree Borer

Life History and Management Options for Western Colorado Peachtree borer (crown borer), Synanthedon exitosia, is a pest of peach, cherry, plum, prune, almond, and apricot. This discusses life history and provides management options for Western Colorado.

Pinon "Pitch Mass" Borer - Dioryctria ponderosae

The pitch mass borer is reported as a serious pest of pine in the Great plains from South Dakota to Kansas and Colorado (Harrell, 1993). In Western Colorado native populations of Ponderosa (Pinus ponderosae) and pinon pine (Pinus edulis) are attacked.

Pinon Twig Beetle Biology and Control

Twig beetles (Pityophthorus sp. and Pityogenes sp.) have damaged many trees in the past few years. Pinyon and Mugo are especially vulnerable. Other pines, true firs, Douglas-fir, and spruce are also attacked. Damage often appears as a flagging, or curling of branch tips. Tips will turn brown and die. Often, only a portion of a tree will be attacked. This fact sheet provides photos, the biology of the insect, and management options.

Red Mulberry Bark Borer - Parelaphidion incertum (Newman) - A pest of the Box-elder in Western Colorado

The larvae of this beetle borers into the trunk and large branches of boxelder (Acer negundo). Exit holes are produced as the adult emerges from the tree.

Spruce Tree Borers

The identification of insects boring into spruce trees by identifying the galleries they create. This series of photographs documents the types of damage caused by various borers of Spruce (Picea). An accompanying narrative by David Leatherman, Entomologist, Colorado State Forest Service, explains each photograph and how each insect is identified based on the galleries resulting from the insect.

Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer - Harrisina brillians

Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer appeared in the vicinity of Montrose (Montrose County) during the summer of 2002. As of the end of August 2002, the infestations appear to be limited to Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquifolia) and Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), but the potential for infestations in grapes exists.

Irrigation

Determining soil moisture content based on the soil ball technique.

This method will help you determine the soil moisture content of your soil.

Landscape Specifications

Landscape Specifications

A updated set of specifications based on current research. Your review and comments are appreciated.

Planting and Planting Depth

Avoiding Excessive Soil over the Root Systems of Trees

This report is the result of an industry wide working group formed to develop consensus on tree decline and death resulting from excessive amounts of soil over the root system. When structural roots are too deep below the soil surface, lack of oxygen can kill roots and lead to decline and death of the tree. This publication provides guidance on proper planting taking into account the depth of the structural root system.

Deep Roots of Landscape Plants

Proper planting depth is critical to tree and shrub survival

Fall Planting of Trees and Shrubs

Provides specific guidance on how to increase your success with trees and shrubs when planting in the fall.

Guying Trees

A photographic explanation of the guying process to anchor the root balls of newly planted trees.

Mycorrhiza and its use in the landscape. Mycorrhiza is a hot item in the 'Green Industry', but does it work or is it another snail-oil product?

Mycorrhiza and its Uses: Fact or Fiction - A PowerPoint presentation covering the benefits of mycorrhoriza and the research on its use.

Phosphorus Levels and Mycorrhizal Fungi - A review of the current literature

Planting a Balled and Burlapped Tree

This series of photographs shows the correct procedure to planting a B&B tree.

Trees and Planting: Getting the Roots Right 3.5 MB in pdf format

Proceedings of a Professional Seminar for the Green Industry held on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at the Morton Arboretum.

Tree Death due to Strangulation (Girdling)

Chicken wire, wire baskets and twine left around the root ball and trunk of trees and shrubs can result in plant death. The narrative and accompanying photographs explain this problem.

Pruning, Bracing and Cabling

Cabling and Bracing trees pdf format 1.8 MB

Trees that have split can sometime be saved by cabling and bracing. This needs to be accomplished correctly. Note the location of the support on page 8 of this publication.

The Callusing of Wounds in Trees

Trees, shrubs and other woody plants bury their wounds under new tissue. The way the pruning cut is made determines how the pruning wound forms wound wood and how the wound closes.

Disinfecting Pruning Tools

Pruning saws, shears and other pruning tools can spread disease organisms if not properly disinfected.

Don't Destroy your large trees by Topping

Topping is the indiscriminate removal of a tree's crown, cutting off large branches and the main stem of the tree, leaving large branch stubs. This results in internal rot, and a profusion of unsightly and weakly attached branches.

car crushed by tre An excellent series of photographs by Dutch Afman, of a tree that fell on a car as a result of topping can be seen at: http://www.afmanconsulting.com/topping_trees.html

Improper Pruning Techniques

Limbs one inch or more in diameter should be removed with three cuts to prevent splitting of the wood and tearing of the bark.

Pruning damage at Grand Junction High School

These cuts are excellent examples of how not to prune a tree. Many of these trees will develop internal rot and eventually need to be removed before injury to students or staff occurs.

Pruning in Holland - Pollarding

Pollarding is an extreme type of pruning where all the new growth is removed annually. Some parts of the world continue this pruning technique.

Selecting a Tree Trimmer - Arborist

Choosing the wrong tree trimmer could result in a poor pruning job and the development of internal rot resulting in a hazardous situation causing property damage, personal injury or death.

Protecting Trees during Construction

Protecting Trees During Construction

During construction, established, healthy trees can be preserved with little effort or expense. Many trees are valuable enough to justify the extra concern.

Seedling Trees and Shrubs

The Seedling Tree Program of the Colorado State Forest Service is designed for conservation plantings such as windbreaks, shelter belts, living snow fences, wildlife plots, noise abatement, erosion control, fiber and fuel production and Christmas tree plantations.

These seedlings can not be used for any ornamental or landscape purpose or resold. Cut Christmas tree are permitted. Over 35 different species of trees and shrubs are available. Residents of Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties (Colorado) can order these seedlings from the Extension office in their county. Ouray county residents need to order seedlings from the Montrose office. Seedling sales are restricted. To qualify you must have two acres or more of land.
Orders are taken between November 1 until the first week of April. The seedlings arrive in the Tri River Area at the end of April. Supplies are limited so get your order in early.

Selected Tree and Shrub Cultivars

The American Chestnut

Philadelphus lewisii 'Cheyenne' Mock Orange

Chilopsis linearis

Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn'

Globe Willow - Salix matsudana `Navajo'

This tree is a very common sight in the warmer parts of the Tri River Area. This discussion provides the history, problems and cultural requirements of this tree. Various links take the reader to other topics and other sites for further information.

Roses

Selecting, planting and caring for roses. Links to workshops, winter protection and other information are provided.

The swollen trunk of this Tree of Heaven (Alianthus altissima) gives the impression it is related to the African Baobab tree.

Trees and Vandals

These pages consist of photographs and discussions on tree damage.


Western Colorado Symposia on Saltcedar (Tamarisk) and Russian Olive

Saltcedar, Russian Olive Woody Plant Wetland Workshop September 3 & 4, 1997, Holiday Inn, Grand Junction, Colorado

Tamarisk Symposium September 26 & 27, 2001, Holiday Inn, Grand Junction, Colorado

Tamarisk Symposium, October 22-24, 2003, Grand Junction, Colorado - Abstracts, PowerPoint Presentations and Program Notes

Tamarisk Symposium, October 12 - 14, 2005, Grand Junction, Colorado - PowerPoint Presentations

2007 Tamarisk Symposium



WebMaster
Dr. Curtis E. Swift, Area Extension Agent, Horticulture
Colorado State Extension
2775 US Hwy 50, Grand Junction, CO. 81503
voice: 970-244-1840
fax: 970-244-1700

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