February 2021

Autumn Tree Lawn and Landscape is here to keep you prepared for this upcoming year. As spring emerges so do pests, diseases, and the effects of winter show the damage it has caused to our properties. In this newsletter, we will discuss upcoming recommended services. Timing for treatments can vary depending on current weather conditions, location, pest emergence, and other variable conditions. The best plan is for an overall plant health care program.

LAWN

LAWN FERTILIZER WITH WEED CONTROL - Is yellow grass a problem for you? Our extended-release fertilizer with weed control program is unlike anything you can get in a store. This complex system is set up in 4 applications. The first application includes extended fertilizer with weed control. This application will allow the grass to grow greener all while conditioning the soil. It is activated by water and warmer temperatures. Because it is extended release it will gradually release throughout the seasons so that you don’t have to mow as often after the first month. "I love pulling weeds!" said no one ever. That's why the following 3 applications are weed control. These applications are recommended to keep those pesky weeds at bay for the entire growing season so you don't have to. LAWN MITES - Lawn bank mites cause damage to our beautiful lawns in what seems like overnight. These pests love the warmth of the sun and can be found mostly in the south and west-facing lawns, however, no lawn is safe from these invasive mites. But we have a secret weapon. With our Lawn mite treatment applications, we can help control their population. It is recommended that we treat the lawn up to five times a year. AERATIONS - Over the winter, your lawn can become compacted by snow and foot traffic A compacted surface doesn't allow water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the roots it needs to grow lush and green. In the next few months, we will be scheduling aerations to help boost and strengthen your root system. Since our sprinkler systems are off. We recommend hand watering.

Q & A: Question: Are the fertilizers with weed control you use harmful for children and pets? Answer: We always recommend allowing the treatments to dry for at least one hour before letting children and pets out to play.

TREES & SHRUBS

SPRING DORMANT OIL APPLICATION - Dormant oil sprays can control a variety of insects, most commonly used on fruit trees to suppress overwintering aphids. thrips and mites. We also will select other plants on your property that commonly harbor these insects and their eggs to spray. LEAFHOPPER TREATMENT - Leafhoppers are tiny insects with a large appetite. It is vital not to over-fertilize plants, as this will only encourage leafhopper activity. Insecticidal soaps can be used when the leafhoppers are young; but because of their mobility, they are difficult to eradicate completely. PRUNING - It is still a great time to prune your trees and rejuvenate your shrubs. Pruning trees helps remove dead and dying limbs. This allows room for new growth. It also protects your property and individuals from falling limbs. Pruning your trees can discourage pests and other infestations while promoting healthy growth and a beautiful shape. We are offering our 10% pruning and removal winter discount until March 1st. If you would like to take advantage of this deal please call or email the office.

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Pollen Season is Among Us

The earliest pollen source starts in our trees. In Colorado, trees generally begin pollinating in February and continue through June. The Silver Maple is one of the first to produce tree pollen which means food for our bees. Pollen equals food source which grows the bee colonies. This marks the beginning of allergy season. According to National Jewish, 35 million Americans are allergic to pollen and mold. Researches say global warming is causing our plants to grow larger and pollen to start earlier. Each morning a slide is collected by a technician to determine the pollen grain count. This helps physicians and researchers keep track of current and yearly trends. You can check out pollen.com if you would like to keep up with daily pollen levels in your area.

NEEDLECAST Needlecast refers to a variety of foliage diseases of coniferous species. These diseases are usually more severe on young trees and trees growing outside of their native range. Wet conditions favor the proliferation of needlecast fungi. By early to mid-summer, most of the infected needles have dropped or been “cast off”, leaving only the current season needles, though diseased needles remain attached for some time on spruce trees. Although few trees die from needlecast, these are serious diseases because they can lead to other issues. The management of needlecast requires commitment and patience given that nothing can be done for already-infected needles. Treatments are preventive only and protect only those needles not yet infected. For example, for a spruce to recover from a severe infection, allow a fungicide program to protect the tree for at least three years before aesthetic evaluation of the tree. Your Autumn Tree Arborist can recommend how to increase tree health and vigor.

LAST CHANCE This this the last month to take advantage of the 10% winter discount. Ends March 1st, 2021.

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