Autumn Color Changes

As summer wanes, cooler temperatures along with shorter days and less water, cause the chlorophyll in leaves to begin to break down.  This allows the remaining pigments to be revealed: carotenoids produce the yellow colors, and anthocyanins are responsible for red colors.  In Colorado, fall leaf color typically lasts from September into November.  As conditions become drier, colorful leaves fade to brown and soon fall.  Surprisingly to many of us, this same annual phenomenon occurs in Pines, Spruce and Fir.  They are naturally shedding their older needles.  Pines do this more regularly creating a tufted look.  Spruce and Fir retain their needles longer creating a fuller, greener form. The time of year, color and suddenness are all indications that this is a normal event.  Often with drought or another stress, trees will shed more creating a thinner canopy. Each year and each tree is different. The end of the season and the coming of winter is welcome.  We can slow our pace a bit, reflect and plan for the future.  It is also a great time to prune your trees.  Insects and disease are dormant, and we can see the form and structure of a tree. Our team is made up of year-round arborists.

In this season we are thankful for trees and all our wonderful loyal customers.

We are offering a 10% winter pruning and removal discount in the Colorado Springs area;
if you would like an estimate,
please call our Colorado Springs Office at 719-444-8800.