Colorado is nationally famous for the incidence of Cytospora Canker. Cytospora canker is a parasitic and opportunistic fungal disease. Again, it is a disease seen in trees stressed by adverse weather conditions or actual physical damage such as mower damage. Cytospora is commonly seen in spruces, poplars, and stone fruits such as peach and cherry. In spruce, a sunken area on the undersides of limbs where the branch appears to “implode” are identifying characteristics. A spiral pattern of needle and branch death is also a sign that the infection is present. In stone fruits, a blob of “goo” can be seen on the twigs and trunk. This is also known as Gumosis. Again, elevating the vigor through proper watering and fertilization is the best way to help avoid the disease or mitigate the effects of the infection. Susceptible trees such as poplar and willow should rarely be planted at all.

Properly timed applications of insecticides in early spring and again in mid-summer will help protect against Ips Engraver Beetle attacks. However, maintaining vigor in the first place is really the best way to protect plantings. There is no direct control for Cytospora Canker. Sanitation is probably the best strategy in keeping this disease in check. Keep susceptible plantings free of deadwood through regular pruning cycles. Do not store dead or diseased wood in the immediate area. Since the spores of the infection are commonly found in the dead wood, it is a bad cultural practice to keep this wood around. All things considered, it is vigorously growing trees that will be able to withstand attacks from most insects and diseases. Therefore, using good common sense when it comes to watering, root fertilizing, and pruning will help promote tree health. Contact your local tree care professional if you are concerned about overall tree health. They can typically map out a plan of action and get you started on a sound tree care plan that includes wise plant selection, insect / disease control, watering and mulching.

When I look into the train tunnel, the light at the other end speeding towards us is a huge locomotive. The locomotive is our water quality. As many of us know, the quality of our water is getting worse. It is becoming more and more difficult to cultivate specimen trees in our poor soils with this type of water. Our aquifers are being drawn down by the demands of agriculture and outdoor recreation. The water we irrigate with is getting saltier. Visionaries can look into the future and prepare in advance for it. We need to do a far better job of selecting trees that will tolerate high salt growing conditions. We also must care for our trees better from planting to mulching, using soil inoculants, and watering wisely in the off-season.