N&D's Top 10 Tips to help your Trees:

1. Check that trees are at a proper planting depth. The top of the root flare should be visible. If you are unsure whether your trees are planted too deep, contact a arborist for an inspection. Improper planting depth is a common reason for stress and decline in the urban forest.

2. When possible, install a mulch ring around your trees. This reduces competition with young trees from the surrounding turf, adds organic material to the soil as the mulch break down, increases water retention, increases gas exchange, reduces soil compaction, and reduces incidents of mower and weed-eater damage.

3. Stake newly installed trees for the first year and wrap trunks during the winter to prevent sunscald while the bark is thin. After the first year, remove stakes if the tree is stable.

4. Have newly planted trees pruned the 3^rd year after planting to establish proper structure for healthy future growth and discourage bad growth patterns.

5. Prune trees every 3-5 years to encourage healthy, well structured growth.

6. Deep root feed trees and shrubs to boost soil quality and supplement any nutrient deficiencies present.

7. Water tree roots deeply during dry winters. Colorado winters often have dry periods where snowfall melt is not sufficient to properly support our evergreens.

8. Trim fruit and American elms in the late fall through winter. This will prevent the spread of fire blight, Dutch elm disease, and other infections.

9. Be proactive with insect and disease care. Watch your trees closely or have an arborist perform periodic inspections to catch problems early.

10. Check trees after high winds or heavy snowfall. Broken branches and failing root systems are a danger to you and your property.