Plant Health Care in Brighton, Colorado

The emerald ash beetle has been wreaking havoc on North America’s ash trees since 2002. This metallic green beetle originated from Asia and is thought to have been introduced to our continent on solid wood packing material. Due to a lack of natural predators in the area, emerald ash borer has caused the death of hundreds of millions of ash trees in the U.S. This pest made its way to the front range of Colorado in the early 2010’s putting our ash trees at risk of infestation. Riverdale Tree Services, has the experience and skill to diagnose an Emerald Ash Borer infestation, provide preventative injections to protect your ash trees, and provide mitigation services to protect the rest of your property if an infestation should occur.

Riverdale Tree Services recommends ongoing preventative injections to maintain the health of your ash trees during this infestation. At Riverdale Tree Services, our ISA Certified Arborists offer two of the most effective products available. Our process begins by examining your ash trees and helping you decide if they are healthy enough to qualify for the injections. We can also help guide you through the treatment process and next steps to protect your ash trees and entire property from infestation. Being proactive to take preventative measures can not only help protect your property but also the entire front range of Colorado. By proactively taking these preventative steps, you can help both your property and the entire Front Range region as we deal with one of the most destructive forest pests in the history of North America.

Early preventative treatment is very important for Emerald Ash Borer. If a tree has become infested the treatment is ineffective. Taking action now to prevent an infestation is crucial. Here are some signs to be aware of Recognize signs of EAB infestation. Thinning upper branches and twigs Loss of leaves Vertical bark splitting Increased woodpecker activity Be aware of emerald ash borer imposters. Other insects, such as the lilac/ash borer, ash bark beetle, and flat-headed apple tree borer can cause similar symptoms. Help prevent the spread of ash borer. Moving untreated wood from the area could incur a stiff fine. Do not transport ash or any hardwood firewood or any untreated ash wood products. At Riverdale Tree Service our arborists are fully equipped with the knowledge and experience to correctly identify an infestation in your ash tree and create an effective ash borer treatment plan for immediate care & long term pest management of your affected trees. Once a tree becomes infested, the best option is removal to protect the rest of the trees on your property and to prevent the spread of Emerald Ash Borer across the front range of Colorado. Our service area for Emerald Ash Borer includes, Brighton, Thornton, Northglenn, Longmont, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Fort Lupton, Hudson, Broomfield, Firestone, Frederick & Westminster

Click to view each link: USDA What is an Emerald Ash Borer Pamphlet USDA Emerald Ash Borer Resources A Visual Guide to Identify Emerald Ash Borer Infestation Map USDA Emerald Ash Borer Visual Video

Iron chlorosis is a term describing leaf yellowing (lack of chlorophyll) due to insufficient iron. Iron is a mineral essential for plants to make chlorophyll, in turn needed for photosynthesis. Lack of iron in a tree may be due to a high iron need, less effective iron uptake, or insufficient usable iron in the soil. Colorado soils generally have adequate to high iron levels, as evidenced by the many red soils and rock formations. However, Colorado soils are mostly alkaline, causing most of the iron to be in an insoluble form not usable by plants. ​​​Click Here to Learn More from Colorado State University​​​​​​​

Insufficient soil oxygen or anything that affects root function in the soil can worsen iron chlorosis or cause it to appear in less chlorosis-prone trees. Compacted clay soils and overwatering can both result in lowered levels of soil oxygen. Sometimes, where planting density is high or there are other plants competing for water and minerals, trees may develop iron chlorosis. When plants are over fertilized with phosphorus, iron chlorosis may develop as roots take up phosphorus to the exclusion of iron. Click Here to Learn More from Colorado State University

Some locally-used trees that often develop iron chlorosis include maples (red, silver, Amur), oaks (red, swamp white), aspen, apple/crabapple, peach and some pines. When soil pH is above 7.5 the best control for iron chlorosis is to avoid trees that will be sensitive to iron chlorosis due to alkaline soils. Click Here to Learn More from Colorado State University

add iron sulfate to soil – effectiveness may be limited add iron chelates to soil – some are more effective than others depending on soil alkalinity addition of sulfur to lower soil pH – less feasible when alkaline soils are high in lime iron sprays to foliage – often impractical, especially on large trees, effect is only temporary trunk injections – holes drilled in trunk may provide entry for disease organisms; best left to certified arborists Click Here to Learn More from Colorado State University