Emerald ash borer (EAB) is considered the most destructive urban forest pest ever seen in North America. Ash trees are approximately 15-20% of Colorado’s urban forest, which means EAB poses a serious threat. Emerald ash borer was first confirmed in the City of Boulder in September 2013. Most recently the Colorado Department of Agriculture confirmed…
Read MoreSwingle experts have recently seen an increase of redheaded sawflies infesting Ponderosa pine trees in Elbert and Douglas Counties. The larvae are caterpillar and worm-like, while the adult sawfly looks like a stingless wasp, which will not harm. The larvae feed on pine needles for about two to three weeks stripping all of the foliage…
Read MoreBees can be difficult to deal with, especially when they’re high in a tree and you’re up there with them! Swingle encounters beehives frequently when removing and pruning trees. One of our crews in Fort Collins recently found a hive in a cottonwood tree they were working to remove. Staying in line with Swingle’s position…
Read MoreIn recent years, there has been a rapid decline in the population of honeybees, known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Honeybees are crucial to the environment, pollinating fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Experts believe the honeybee population has decreased by approximately 50 percent. Pollinators can be exposed to different types of pesticides, including neonicotinoids through sprays and…
Read MoreHaving your home garden filled with fruit trees is such a nice addition to any Colorado home. The big question though is, what are the best fruit trees for Colorado climate? Well, just about any deciduous fruit trees can be grown in Colorado (apples, pears, apricots, sweet and tart cherries, peaches, nectarines and plums). All…
Read MoreLawn Fungus Control Don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it will change. This is a familiar saying to those of us who live in Colorado, but frequent weather changes can be unkind to our landscape. While the 2015 growing season has been one of the most seasonable in years, thus far it’s…
Read MoreHave you ever heard it said, “Perception is reality”? This statement certainly holds true in the retail market. Your landscape says it all to your customers in terms of their first impression. Every retail center has landscaping as a line item in their budget. Why? It is because you realize that your curb appeal speaks…
Read MoreWhen it comes to the West Nile virus, our primary concern is the Culex mosquito. They are prevalent during hot summer weather. Culex flies during the cooler times of the day and produces the familiar whining sound buzzing around your ear. During the heat of the day, this mosquito prefers to rest in cool, damp,…
Read MoreYou may have driven by or even recognize the iconic tree statue to the Park Hill neighborhood that until most recently stood at 23rd and Grape. Her name is Nino. She has been the home to many wild creatures and had her fair share of visitors over the years. Peg and Keith Meagher learned in…
Read MoreFire Blight is prevalent this year, with Swingle experts reporting occurrences up and down the Front Range. Fire Blight is a destructive bacterial disease affecting many types of fruit trees and ornamental shrubbery. Apple, crabapple, and pear trees are common targets, but it can also affect hawthorn, mountain ash, serviceberry quince, pyracantha and other species…
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