Seasonal Needle Shedding in Conifers: A Natural Process Every fall, Earth-Wise, receives numerous calls from concerned customers who notice their pine, spruce, and fir trees displaying brown or yellowing needles. While this may seem alarming, it’s usually part of a normal, healthy process. Conifer trees—unlike deciduous trees that shed all...
What’s New Spring 2024
Think Spring! Nature’s Renewal is Underway One of the surest signs that spring has officially arrived is seeing the return of our feathered friends! We’re excited to share that Earth-Wise has once again completed the annual entanglement hazard cleanup at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School’s osprey nesting project, ensuring a...
What’s New – Spring/Summer 2023 Important Update – Emerald Ash Borer is Here
Emerald ash borer has been positively identified in Carbondale, Colorado. This exotic pest has killed over 100 million ash trees in the United States and was first discovered in the Front Range of Colorado in 2013. Since that time, Emerald ash borer has been found in numerous northern Front Range...
What’s New – Spring 2022 ~ Beetle Issues Continue in Colorado
Unfortunately, we don’t have much good news to report regarding the state of Colorado’s forests. The Colorado State Forest Service’s annual Aerial Detection Survey found widespread tree mortality caused by various beetle species. Years of drought and warmer temperatures are the primary driving forces behind this beetle outbreak. Locally, spruce...
What’s New – Fall 2022
Fall Needle Shedding on Conifers Every fall, Earth-Wise receives phone calls from customers concerned about the browning needles on their pine, spruce and fir trees. Not to worry, this is a normal process. Depending on species, location and overall health of the tree, conifers typically hold on to needles for...
What’s New – Fall 2019
Seeing Spots? If you've noticed unusual blemishes on the leaves of your aspen trees, you’re not alone. This year, Marssonina blight—a common fungal disease—has been particularly severe, thanks to the wet conditions we experienced in May and June. The disease manifests as dark brown to black spots, often ringed with...
What’s New – Spring 2018
Your Trees are Thirsty! As spring approaches, trees will start to come out of dormancy, absorbing water and soil nutrients in preparation for bud break. However, due to the current drought conditions, most trees lack adequate soil moisture. Last fall was exceptionally dry and current snowpack levels are well below...
What’s New – Spring 2017
Spruce Beetle: A Rising Concern in Colorado’s Forests Spruce beetle, a bark beetle native to Colorado’s forests, is on the rise. In 2016, about 350,000 acres had an active infestation with 136,000 acres newly impacted. This made spruce beetle the most widespread and destructive forest pest in the state. Here’s...
What’s New – Fall 2016
My Trees Are Browning! Why Are My Pine Needles Turning Brown? Every autumn, Earth-Wise receives calls from concerned homeowners who notice the needles on their pine, spruce, and fir trees turning brown. But before you worry, rest assured—this is a completely natural process! Conifers don’t hold onto their needles indefinitely....
What’s New – Winter 2015
It's a Wrap Wrapping the trunks of young, thin-barked trees in the winter months is recommended to protect them from frost cracking. Frost cracks are vertical cracks in the bark of trees. They commonly occur on the south and west sides of young trees that haven’t developed a thick layer...
