Ips beetle affecting Western Slope Pinion Pines
The prolonged droughts of 2016-2018, have caused great stress to our native Pinyon Pine trees. This stress has allowed the Ips confusus beetle to take advantage by boring into the trunks of the trees and eating the cambium layer resulting in death of the trees.
Read more about how to protect your pinions from the Ips beetle.
Read more about slash management and the Ips beetle.
Colorado Woody Plant App is Available on All Platforms
Coloradans now have an app to help identify trees, shrubs and woody plants – CSU Extension announces the launch of the new “CO Woody Plant” mobile app, available for free on iOS, Android and Google Play!
Identify 200+ species. The ‘plant characteristics’ screen uses visual icons to guide the user through a series of choices to narrow down the possible plants. It also offers the ability to search in ‘offline’ locations without a cellular connection. Check it out at your favorite app store.
Grant Award
February, 2019 ~ Colorado tree Coalition Grant Award of $1,375
The Tri River Area CSU Extension has received a $1,375 grant from the Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) for the Amphitheater Shade Tree Remodel project.
The trees purchased with this grant will be planted at the amphitheater at the Mesa County CSU Extension Office Arboretum. Many trees that were originally planted failed because they were on a berm and were not suited for the dry southern facing slope. Drought tolerant species will be planted and will provide shade and a back drop for the amphitheater. The trees will be labeled to provide the many visitors information on trees that grow well in the community. This 5,100 square foot demonstration garden, showcasing unusual tree, shrub and perennial species, is maintained by Colorado Master Gardener volunteers. The gardens are free and open to the public at any time. Tours are available on request.
Thanks to on-going financial and administrative support from the USDA Forest Service and the Colorado State Forest Service, dues-paying members, and sponsors of the grant program, the Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) awarded $49,698 to 21 organizations in 2018. Along with matching funds provided by the grant recipients this helped plant 1,309 trees in communities across Colorado. Each of these projects allowed residents the opportunity to make a difference in their community with a combined total of 2,725 hours of volunteer service. These grants were made possible through the support of the USDA Forest Service, the Colorado State Forest Service, Xcel Energy Foundation, Xcel Energy Vegetation Management, and the members and supporters of the Colorado Tree Coalition. Since 1991 the Colorado Tree Coalition has awarded 533 grants totaling over $927,698. These grants have been matched with over $8 million in community money and/or time. As a result of these grants 76,478 trees have been planted throughout the state.
Bees Swarming?
- Don’t hurt the bees, just call Western Colorado
Beekeepers Association who can safely remove the bees! Please call 970-812-0080 - For Western Colorado Beekeepers Association website, please click here.
Plant Diagnostics
Plant Problems? Bring us a fresh sample!
- Master Gardener diagnosticians are meeting each week in each of our offices, to examine the plant samples that have been brought to us and try to determine the cause of the problems. If you are bringing us a plant sample, there are several things you can do to help out the diagnostic team:
- Bring in as fresh a sample as possible. Plants left in a hot car become much harder to identify.
- Bring in as much of the plant as possible, including the root where feasible. Bring along
Tomatoes with Blossom End Rot
some of the soil, so it can be tested for salts.
- Bring in both an area of the plant that is suffering, and if possible an adjacent section that is doing well. This is especially helpful with turf samples.
- If you need the plant identified, flowers and/or fruit will make diagnosis easier.
- When you come to the office, the Master Gardeners will have you fill out a form that asks a number of questions about the plant. Answering these as thoroughly as possible is very helpful! You can reach the Master Gardeners at each of our offices. In Delta, we’re at 874-2195; in Montrose, at 249-3935, and in Grand Junction we’re at 244-1836. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Winter Watering
Feeling Dry? So is your landscape. Trees, shrubs and lawns will benefit from monthly winter watering.
Check out this video for winter landscape watering: Youtube Winter Watering