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Canopy Conversations is friendly, accessible advice to help guide you in all things tree care. High Plains Tree and Landscape Services is a local business, rooted in integrity and quality. This blog is our chance to share years of experience with our local community with a goal of growing a thriving tree canopy that serves generations to come. My name is Amanda and my husband Adam owns and operates High Plains Trees. After over a decade of listening to Adam talk about trees, I decided to take his knowledge and passion, and my love of writing and start this blog! We feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to serve our community doing something that we love and are so grateful for the support we have received over the years. We give back at every chance we get and this blog is our way of putting an Arborist in your back yard, to guide you through making important decisions for your property and trees. Say hello if you see us out and about! Our Story We started our family together in a small (as in 1,100 square feet tiny!) rental farmhouse on the west side of Ault in 2011. When we found out we were expecting our first, we knew Ault was home and bought a house on the east side of town. We have the best neighbors and are so grateful to have found a home in this community. I am an ER nurse at Poudre Valley Hospital. Adam started his arboriculture career under the guidance of the owner of a long standing, well respected tree service company in Fort Collins. While there, Adam grew to become a foreman and crew lead and gained over a decade and a half of experience. He also sought mentorship and built relationships with other tree service company owners, utility companies such as REA, and became familiar with working with municipalities and large contracts. With the encouragement of his boss and mentor, Adam pursued his Arborist certification and took the leap to purchase equipment, gain licensing and insurance, and start his own business. When deciding where to base our business out of, we loved the community we had been lucky enough to end up a part of and saw a growing need for high quality, local tree services in our area. We decided to base our company where we had also based our lives, on the beautiful High Plains of Colorado. What started with Adam as the only employee has grown so much over the past 4 years. We are combining our love and knowledge of the benefit of trees with our commitment to this community. We feel incredibly blessed to be running a full crew now and staying busy! We remain rooted in quality and integrity and plan to serve this area for years to come. Family photo from a recent trip up to visit Amanda’s parents who live near Blackhawk, CO. Trying to get three kids to cooperate for a picture is harder than the gnarliest tree removal! Follow Along With Us! We hope you enjoy the information we put out on our blog! If there is a topic you are interested in hearing more about, let us know. Wave and say hello if you see us out and about! “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit” Nelson Henderson. Follow us on Facebook to be informed when we make a new post: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556612123735&sk=about Submit a request for an evaluation or tree services here: https://clienthub.getjobber.com/client_hubs/4fc9a975-7cb6-4796-904d-ba42a6466514/public/work_request/new?source=social_media Message us for suggestions for posts: Contact

Stock picture of shade trees in a park. Did you know a properly positioned shade tree can not only provide privacy and aesthetics but it can also save you money over time? The area directly under a shade tree can be as much as 30 degrees cooler than the adjacent, non-shaded area. This is due to more than simply blocking the sun’s rays. A process called “evapostransporation” causes a natural cooling effect as trees release water vapor during their natural breathing process where they pull water from the ground and move it to the air via vapor. According to a study by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology and the United States Department of Agriculture, a shade tree planted to shade the west and south sides of the house can reduce electric bills by 5-15%! Now that you know the secret benefit of planting a shade tree, what kind should you consider? Here in Northern Colorado, we have two main areas for trees. Out here where we are located, in Ault, it is considered the High Plains. This is where our namesake comes from. It is often dry and windy so trees must be carefully selected if they are to thrive in our arid climate. Despite a challenging terrain, there are several species of shade trees that can still grow into giants that will provide shade for generations to come. The following trees are all classified as shade trees. Given proper growing conditions, they all have the ability to achieve 50’ or greater in height. Species denoted with an * are well suited for consideration for those of us in more arid or dry environments such as those on our high plains. Other species listed should be considered for river bed locations and other neighboring areas with less arid climates. Oaks: Oak trees produce acorns and have a beautiful shape as they grow. They are not the fastest growing tree but, once established, will provide a beautiful shade canopy for years to come. English oak- The English oak’s leaves turn yellowish-brown in the fall. They are very broad trees and need a lot of room around them. Their lower branches grow nearly vertically and the tops are a pleasing round shape. The English oak will tolerate clay soils. Swamp White Oak picture courtesy of the Colroado Tree Coalition. Swamp white oak- This oak has leaves that are dark green, like their cousin the English oak, however they have a bright white underside that shines in the sun. They will have an oval shape when mature. One thing to note if you choose to plant this type of tree is that you must test the soil and amend the pH if too alkaline (less than 7.5). It will not tolerate high pH soil. *Chinkapin oak- Yes another oak but this one has a super power! It tolerates poorer soil conditions than its more picky cousins, including soil that is dryer and more alkaline than other trees would tolerate. *Bur oak- We personally love Bur oaks and have one in our backyard. These trees have bright, glossy green leaves that turn a beautiful yellow-brown in the fall. These trees are hardy and will live for years to come. Picture of a mature Bur oak from the Arbor Day Foundation. Other shade tree species that do well in our area: American elm - The Oval at CSU is lined with ancient American elms. Creator: Joe A. Mendoza | Credit: Joe A. Mendoza/Colorado State UniversityCopyright: ©2019 Colorado State University This is the classic street tree. It has a broad crown and natural pest resistance, this one is a real stand out for our area. One thing to note is that over-popularization of the elm has led to a vulnerability to the often fatal Dutch elm disease. This has improved in recent years but if there are already a lot of elms in your area, especially any sick ones, it’s best to avoid planting an elm for now. Most of our communities are over populated with elms so we recomend steering away from this tree in our area for the most part. If you do decide to plant an elm, look for disease resistant cultivars. *Hackberry- Hackberry trees are hardy. They have small berries that grow on them that are red to purple in color. There are a ton of varieties of hackberry, over 200 to choose from. Photo credit to FastGrowingTrees.com . Honey locust- Have you ever noticed trees with fern-like limbs and leaves on them? Locust trees are beautiful, but this one in particular steals the show with a beautiful honey yellow color in the fall. Honey locusts are very hardy as long as they are properly maintained. Kentucky coffee tree- These majestic trees can grow to towering heights under proper conditions. They have unique white flowers on them and produce seed pods that do require some fall raking. They are pest resistant and very hardy. The benefits of shade trees are as far reaching as their late afternoon shadows. We hope this article gives you a good starting point on the benefits of planting shade trees and some species to consider. References used when researching this article are below. As always, reach out with any questions! References Colorado State University Extension. (n.d.). 1736- Oak Trees. Retrieved from Plant Talk Colorado: https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/trees-shrubs-vines/1736-oak-trees/ Colorado Tree Coalition. (n.d.). Recommended Trees for the Front Range. Retrieved from Colorado Tre Coalition: https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/trees_for_frontrange.pdf

When it comes to trees, the upkeep can be daunting. When you’re looking to get tree services done, you can have a variety of different people and companies give you a quote. The price range and the differing terminology can make it difficult to determine which way to go. Trees take years to grow to maturity and can offer a multitude of benefits such as improved value of property, reduction in utility costs, improved mental health, and more. Hiring a certified Arborist may cost a bit more in the short term but will save you money, and improve your return on investment, in the long run. Many tree services companies operate as an owner and operator with a chainsaw and minimal equipment. While this allows for a reduced overhead cost, and cheap services as a result, the unintended consequences can be very costly and devastating for your trees. The most prominent, and well regulated, certifications are completed through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Below are a few reasons why going with a reputable company, with certified Arborists on site and staff, will pay off for years to come. Safety and Risk Reduction As part of achieving certication, Arborists are tested on safe arboriculture practices and ways to reduce risks to themselves and the customer. In order to maintain certification, they are required to complete ongoing education on a variety of topics, including safety best practices. Reputable companies will carry multiple insurance policies to cover anything that can go wrong. Reviews should show a history of safe, high quality work, and a reputable company will be able to provide Certificate of Insurance (COI) upon request. Quality and Best Practices Improper pruning practices can have devastating consequences for years to come. Trees canopies provide important functions for the trees health and future growth including structure, water and nutrient absorption and distribution, and weather and disease resistance. Proper Assessment and Trustworthy Guidance Arborists study and train on consistent, methodical methods, of assessing trees. While other companies will often recommend removal, as maintenance can be hard for them to articulate, and removal makes more money. A Certified Arborist sees into the future, more than just right now, and will give you a proper assessment both of the value your tree holds if maintained, and the threshold for when removal is the safest or most appropriate action. Common mistakes we see from budget tree companies: Heavy pruning- Too heavy of pruning will render the tree vulnerable to pest and disease invasion and can stunt the tree’s growth, or lead to limb or lead failure. Lion Tailing/ Topping- Without knowing the properties and growth patterns of trees, it can be easy to make mistakes. We often see practices such as lion-tailing or topping that make trees extremely vulnerable to weather damage and failure. Ruts and property damage- Reputable companies will take extra precautions to avoid damage to yards and property, or to repair when they do occur. Overcommitting- We have been called in several times to complete a job that a cheaper company agreed to complete but were unable to safely do so, leaving a mess on the customer’s property that they then need to urgently get another tree service to finish up. Wrong Season Pruning- Many trees should be pruned at specific times of year to reduce risk of disease spread or harm to the tree. Fruit trees, in particular, should generally only be pruned while dormant and, if pruning in other times, proper tool sanitation between cuts is crucial. So how do you find an Arborist? Certified Arborists can be found on www.treesaregood.org using the “Verify a Credential” tool to verify that someone who will be doing your work is certified! High Plains Tree and Landscape Services always has a certified Arborist on site to guarantee that your work is high quality, and conforms to industry standards and expectations. Hiring a Certifiied Arborist may cost a bit more in the short term but will pay off for you in the long run when you have a job that is well done and trees that thrive for decades to come. When it comes to trees, quality matters!

There are so many benefits to planting a tree! More and more research is coming out showing the true impact of our urban tree canopy on our communities every day. What we know is that these giants provide benefits far beyond just their looks. A properly maintained urban tree canopy provides communities with shade, cooling effects resulting in energy conservation, improved health for community residents via proven air filtering and mental health benefits, protection from the elements, increased home value, and so much more (International Society of Arboriculture, 2021).   The benefits of planting a properly selected tree on your property can’t be fully measured. Selecting a tree, where to plant it, how to plant it, and how to maintain it can be overwhelming though! Luckily, there are a lot of resources available to help homeowners and property owners make the right choices to set their property up for future success. This article is an overview, based on years of experience and continuing education, of the key considerations when selecting a tree, along with links to some fantastic resources created to help the public with this important task. Site Selection Site selection is one of the most important elements to consider when planting a tree. Key considerations when selecting sites are: location on your property in relation to other property structures and elements (utilities, other trees, etc), species predicted growth pattern considerations, and access to water. When you bring home a tree that is only a few inches around the trunk, it can be hard to picture what that tree will look like in ten years. Advanced knowledge of the growth pattern of the tree species you are looking at (predicted future height and width of canopy as well as root structure), can save you the heartache of removing a section of a beautiful, healthy tree in the future because it grew into your roofline, or your roots grew into your driveway and sidewalk. A common mistake we often see is planting a tree in the middle of the grass. With the types of soil we have around us, this type of environment prevents your tree from getting the water and nutrients it needs to thrive. Trees need watered deeply and slowly, specifically in the root zone, whereas, grass needs widespread, superficial watering. Tree planted in the middle of a patch of grass without at least a mulch ring will often exhibit slow growth and increased susceptibility to damage and disease. The best sites for trees have: ·      Convenient and consistent access to water. Avoid sites where grass sprinklers hit the tree, including the trunk, as this can encourage disease growth and cause mechanical damage over time. ·      Far enough from other things on your property that could restrict future growth such as utilities. Property owners need to ensure they are aware of underground utilities and submit a request through 811 to have underground utilities marked prior to doing any digging or planting of trees. For an excellent resource on avoiding utilities, check out this guide Avoid Utility Conflict . Tree Selection Young trees at a nursery waiting to be purchased. Selecting a proper species of tree, from a reputable nursery, will make your tree planting process exponentially more likely to be successful in the long term. A few factors to consider when selecting trees are species and varieties that do well in your local environment, your specific soil type and condition, and the planting location’s exposure to weather and elements. There are several great resources for selecting a tree that is best suited for your property and location. One of the most comprehensive for our region of Northern Colorado that we have found is the Front Range Tree Recommendation List (City of Greeley). Most cities and towns also have ordinances that provide requirements for species selection and placement or give a list of trees they recommend online. Look for your town or cities Forester page. If your town or city doesn’t have one, search for neighboring community’s. When selecting a source for your tree stock, look for experienced nurseries near you with good reviews. Most offer some kind of a warranty program and will give great advice about tree selection for your local area. Burlap wrapped root balls are typically more susceptible to transplant shock over container grown, but container grown can have root structure concerns. Air pruned pots are the best option but can be hard to find. This guide from the International Society of Arboriculture’s “Trees are Good” site provides guidance when selecting your tree (International Society of Arboriculture, 2021). Hands down, our favorite nursery in Northern Colorado is Eaton Grove . The are knowledgeable, experienced, and have a fantastic selection of healthy tree and plant stock. Plus, they have peacocks and a beautiful location for their nursery! They are located just east of Eaton, CO and have been our go to for tree purchasing for years. Care Considerations Carefully researching tree species and then hand selecting the healthiest looking trees at the nursery can be so exciting. The last thing you want is for all of those hopes and hard work to be for naught because improper planting and maintenance doomed your tree from the start. Planting: This guide from the Colorado State Forest Service gives a step by step, comprehensive overview of tree planting considerations to prepare your tree for its best start on your property (Colorado State Forest Service). Mulching: Trees do best when properly mulched a fter planting. Mulching preserves water for the tree and provides nutrients to feed it as it breaks down. Mulch should be applied to the diameter of the tree crown, with a 6” gap left between the trunk of the tree and the mulch, at a depth of 3”-4”. Any mulch will do, as long as it isn’t artificially colored or treated with chemicals (International Society of Arboriculture, 2021). Your local arborist can likely deliver a load of wood chips that serve this purpose perfectly, just ensure they are from trees free of disease and pests that would impact your trees. Watering: In the first year, new trees must be watered at a bare minimum weekly, preferably every 3 days or so in the hotter months. In the winter, until well established, most experts in our area recommend winter watering once a month through the winter months and season. Watering should be done deeply and slowly. Most experts recommend hand watering until your tree is established so you can get a feel for how often, how slowly, and for how long to water to ensure your tree gets water down to the feeder roots where it needs it. Keep in mind that most soil in our area is either clay or sandy, depending on which part of the High Plains your property is on. These types of soil struggle to absorb water and exhibit significant run off. Unless you have done extensive soil regeneration, watering will need to be done very slowly to ensure it actually absorbs down into the soil at the root level. Check out this guide from the Colorado Tree Coalition, in conjunction with the Colorado State University Extension Office for some fantastic advice on watering your new tree (Colorado Tree Coalition). Pruning: Early pruning in the first year to two after planting should only be to remove any small parts that did not survive transplanting well while most other structural pruning should be reserved until the tree is well established. Any early structural pruning should be completed by an experienced Arborist to avoid putting the tree at risk. Hiring a certified Arborist to assess your trees, provide proper pruning, and develop an ongoing maintenance plan will give you the guidance you need to make your property a beautiful and functional space for years to come.  Planting trees is an investment, not only in your own property, but in your community as a whole. The health effects of a tree are well studied and supported with data and literature. What we also know, in addition to what is shown in the academic world and in textbooks, is that in the real world our urban forests are weaved deeply into our communities. They are the giants that provide shade in our parks where our kids play, the tree lined Main Street of our hometown when we make it back to visit, and the guardians of our air and soil, preventing erosion and reducing pollution. While selecting and planting a new tree can feel overwhelming, there are resources and professionals at the ready to help you be successful with this important task. It will be well worth it in the long run. Our middle daughter taking her first traditional First Day of School picture under the Cottonwood we planted in front of our house a few years ago. Don't mind the weeds, it's a never ending battle out here! “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Nelson Henderson References   City of Greeley. (n.d.). Front Range Tree Reccomendation List. Retrieved from City of Greeley Forestry: https://greeleygov.com/docs/default-source/forestry/2024_front-range-tree-reco-list_final_digital.pdf Colorado State Forest Service. (n.d.). Selecting, Planting, & Caring for Trees. Retrieved from Colorado State Forest Service: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/How_to_Properly_Plant_a_Tree_CSFS.pdf Colorado Tree Coalition. (n.d.). Recommended Trees for the Front Range. Retrieved from Colorado Tre Coalition: https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/trees_for_frontrange.pdf International Society of Arboriculture. (2021). Benefits of Trees. Retrieved from Trees are Good: https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Benefits%20of%20Trees_0321_1.pdf International Society of Arboriculture. (2021). Buying High Quality Trees. Retrieved from Trees are Good: https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Buying%20High%20Quality%20Trees_0721_1.pdf International Society of Arboriculture. (2021). Proper Mulching. Retrieved from Trees are Good: https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Proper%20Mulch%20Tech_0321.pdf