Pine, Evergreen, & Spruce Tree Maintenance

Main identifiers:

Most common species found in Colorado: Colorado is home to a wide variety of pine, evergreen, and spruce trees. The most common species dotting the Mile High state include the Blue Spruce, the Douglas fir, the Engelmann Spruce, the Limber Pine, the Lodgepole Pine, and the Piñon Pine. Without question though, the Ponderosa Pine is arguably the most popular pine tree species in the Denver metro area. That may be why certain areas around Parker and Lone Tree use the name “Ponderosa”.
Leaf shape and color: Of course, pine, evergreen, and spruce trees don’t have the deciduous leafing canopies. Instead, these year-round beauties usually sport a healthy covering of 1.5-inch to 4-inch green ‘needles’.
Bark texture: Grayish-medium brown in color with a thick scale-like texture on mature trees.

Most common diseases and pests:

Cooley Spruce Gall is a disease the kills the needles of spruce trees. When a spruce tree is dying or vulnerable due to disease, the Ips Beetles absolutely feast on spruce trees in Colorado. Ips beetles rarely infest healthy spruce trees, so preventative maintenance will best protect your investment.

Similar to Cooley Spruce Gall, Pine Needle Scale and Pine Wilt Nematode are two diseases that devastate pine tree needles. Once vulnerable, pine trees are at significant infestation risk from Ips beetles. While many homeowners in Denver believe pine trees are ‘always healthy, no maintenance’ trees, you need to know pines are just as vulnerable as any other tree species in Denver.

Ponderosa Pine Tree