Fielding Tree Care, LLC

🌳What Does a Thinning Canopy Mean?

A healthy tree should have a full, vibrant canopy. When the crown begins to appear sparse, patchy, or less dense than normal, it may be an indication of underlying stress. Common causes include drought, insect activity, disease, root damage, nutrient deficiencies, or age-related decline.

Since canopy thinning is often one of the first visible signs that a tree is struggling, early diagnosis is key to preserving its health and preventing more serious issues.

If you've noticed your tree isn't looking as full as it once did, our licensed arborists are happy to help. Call us today at (860)-673-2564 for a free on-site estimate and professional evaluation of your tree's condition.

Drive through any US suburb. Look at the trees.

Mulch volcanoes. EVERYWHERE.

Giant mounds of mulch piled against tree trunks like volcanos. 8, 10, 12 inches high. Touching the bark. Burying the root flare.

Your landscaper does this because it "looks neat."

It's killing your tree.

What mulch volcanoes cause:
Bark rot — constant moisture against bark creates fungal infections. The bark softens and decays.
Girdling roots — roots grow INTO the mulch instead of outward, circling the trunk and eventually strangling the tree.
Root suffocation — buried root flare can't breathe. Roots grow upward into mulch instead of down into soil.
Rodent damage — mice and voles nest in the warm, moist mulch and chew the bark. Ring-barking kills the tree.
Insect harbor — moisture-loving pests thrive.

CORRECT mulching:
2-4 inches deep. MAXIMUM.
Pull mulch AWAY from the trunk — leave a 3-6 inch gap.
Shape like a DONUT, not a volcano.
Spread to the drip line if possible.
Never touch bark.

The root flare (where trunk widens into roots) should ALWAYS be visible.

If your landscaper builds mulch volcanoes, fire your landscaper.

Your tree will thank you.

Happy Arborist Appreciation Day! 🌳

Take this as your sign to thank your local tree today. Or better yet — plant a new one!

As the holiday weekend approaches, we wanted to share a few important tree care reminders. If you’re spending some time outside this weekend, it’s a great opportunity to take a quick look around your property. Our crews have been seeing several common concerns throughout the Front Range this spring that homeowners should keep an eye on:

Delayed Leaf-Out: If one of your trees still looks sparse or hasn’t leafed out like others nearby, it may be struggling with root stress, winter injury, or underlying health issues. Trees that wake up late are often signaling that something isn’t quite right.

Frost Damage: The late cold snaps this spring were tough on fresh new growth, particularly with honey locust and green ash trees. Browning leaves, curled growth, or thin canopies are all common signs of frost injury.

Storm Stress: Heavy spring snow can put significant strain on trees, even when damage isn’t immediately obvious. Cracked limbs, weakened branch attachments, and structural stress may not show up until later in the season.

Trees that are stressed or have sustained damage may display any of the following signs:

- late or undeveloped springs buds
- cracked and flaking bark
- shriveled and discolored leaves
- dead or dying branches

If something looks off, or you’re just unsure, it’s a great time to meet with one of our certified arborists. A quick evaluation now, can prevent bigger problems down the road, and give your trees the support they need heading into summer.

303-667-5004
fieldingtreecare.com/contact

As a veteran-owned company, Memorial Day is especially meaningful to us. It’s a time to pause and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, and to reflect on the freedoms their sacrifice made possible.

We’re grateful for those who served and for the opportunity to enjoy the everyday moments this weekend often brings, including time outdoors, time with family, and time spent appreciating the places we call home.

From the team at Fielding Tree Care, we wish you a safe and restful holiday weekend.

Want to remove your lawn? Here’s how not to kill your trees Thinking of swapping out your front lawn for a new xeriscape? Don’t forget to think of the trees. If a tree has been growing in your lawn for decades, you can be sure that it’s gotten used to the extra water.

Our certified arborists are available to answer any questions. Give us a call today! 303-667-5004

Report: Bark beetle outbreaks expand during another warm, dry year - Colorado State Forest Service The annual forest health report shows the continued spread of mountain pine beetles and other forest insects during the second consecutive year of above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation.

You do not need to see the pest to identify it. The pattern of damage on your leaves is a precise fingerprint. Learn the patterns and you can diagnose any infestation in seconds.

Clean round holes cut through the leaf — slugs feeding at night. Set beer traps at soil level and hand-pick after dark with a torch.

Ragged irregular holes with small dark pellets near the damage — caterpillar frass. The caterpillar is almost certainly on the underside of the same leaf.

Leaves completely skeletonised with only the veins remaining — Japanese beetles. Check in the morning when they are cold and slow, and drop them into soapy water.

Fine dusty stippling across the upper surface with webbing in the axil — spider mites. Strong water spray on the underside of leaves every morning for seven days breaks the reproductive cycle.

One pattern to welcome: perfect semicircle notches cut from leaf edges are leafcutter bees collecting nesting material. Not a pest. The plant is not harmed. 🌿