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A couple issues that have headlined the news across the state in recent years have had to do the mountain pine beetle (MPB) Dendroctonus ponderosae, and Sudden Aspen Decline. Unfortunately there are many misconceptions about both these issues.
First of all the mountain pine beetle is native to Colorado, and plays a very important role in the natural ecosystem of our forest. MPB often kill large numbers of trees that are not growing vigorously due to old age, over crowding, poor growing conditions, drought, fire or mechanical damage, root disease and other causes.
Currently more than one million Coloradans live in proximity to 6 million acres of forest at high risk to wildfires. Over the last hundred years we have created a forest that the state of Colorado that has never seen before, due to fire suppression. We have created a weak, overcrowded, old forest that is now susceptible to mass beetle attacks. Our forests need diversity in age and structure. This will result in a healthy forest that will be more resilient and, thus, less vulnerable to the MPB. Most mature Colorado forests have twice as many trees per acre as those forests which are most resistant to the MPB. Essentially, the MPB epidemic is Mother Nature’s way of taking care of itself. The MPB has stepped in and taken the role that fire used to play in keeping diversity in the age and structure of our forest.
This leads us to Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD). Rapid mortality of aspens has been observed across much of SW Colorado since 2004. Adding to the concern, regeneration appears to be sparse especially in our stands at lower elevations.
There are approximately 3.6 million acres of aspens in Colorado, more than any other western state. Aspens are generally considered to be mature at 100 years of age, in the wild, 20 years of age for a landscape specimen. The average age of Colorado’s Aspen stands is about 120 years. Over 70% of our Aspen stands are over 110 years, and less than 2% of our stands are 70 years old or younger.
There are two primary factors associated with the SAD. The first factor is the drought we have struggled through. In 2002 Colorado had its lowest precipitation rate in more than a century receiving only 60% of the average rain and snow. The second factor is the lack of stand diversity and the fact that most of the aspens in Colorado are generally older. Drought and stand maturation, followed by secondary factors of disease and insects caused further decline and mortality within our stands on a wide spread scale.
In Conclusion, the MPB and SAD are moving into the Roaring Fork Valley probably more rapidly than we all would like to believe. These problems will have drastic impacts on our national forest and our residential landscapes. One thing we need to be conscious about is the health of the plant material in these areas. A healthy tree is the best defense against the MPB & SAD. To keep your Aspen, Pine, and Spruce healthy and resistant, we recommend spring fertilization on all your trees that have been planted for more than a year (use Fertilome Tree and Shrub Food or Fox Farm All purpose food) Also, on trees that have high value in your landscape we recommend a systemic insecticide, applied as a soil drench treatment in spring and fall. Bayer’s’ Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed or Tree and Shrub Insect Control have been shown to have good results.
Eagle Crest Nursery is an independent full-service garden center, offering a vast selection of plants, garden supplies, vegetable garden supplies, trees, and landscape supplies well-adapted to our unique Roaring Fork Valley Colorado mountain climate.
Located in El Jebel, CO, we specialize in colorful annuals, over 300 varieties of perennials, large landscape trees and shrubs, native plants and specialty evergreens. You'll also find all the gardening and outdoor living accessories you'll ever desire, including everything for the garden pond.
From Vail to Grand Junction, we help gardeners and landscapers all across the Roaring Fork Valley, in Aspen, Basalt, Glenwood Springs, and the Western Slope of Colorado. Have a mountain gardening question? Stop by our garden center or give us a call!
CELEBRATING over 20 years owning and operating Eagle Crest Nursery, George Robinson welcomes you to come stroll the landscape displays and garden ponds and dream of what can be.
OPEN YEAR-ROUND
Spring Hours
Monday-Saturday 9AM-5PM
Closed Sunday
El Jebel Winter Market Saturdays in December 10am-3pm
Senior Day is every Tuesday- 15% discount on everything! Must be 62+ You know you don't look your age so please inform the cashiers at checkout.
Located in the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley, in the mountains of Colorado, Eagle Crest Nursery is easily within reach of the communities of Aspen, Basalt, El Jebel, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. Many of our loyal customers also make the trek from as far as Vail to the east and Rifle to the west.
You can see our garden center bordering Highway 82 just northwest of the El Jebel light (just look for the fountains). From Highway 82 turn towards the Wendy’s on El Jebel Road then take the 2nd left (Gillespie Drive). We are on the left just past Bowlounge.
Our onsite map, on the Contact page will help you find us.
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Copyright © 2013 Eagle Crest Nursery
Family-owned garden center providing garden and landscape supplies to El Jebel, Carbondale, Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen, Basalt, Glenwood Springs, western slope, Vail to Grand Junction
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