Only in Colorado will a record period of drought be followed up by a period of rain not seen in decades. The month of May gave parts of the metro area more than four inches of rain. In fact, a few areas in Aurora and Littleton recorded nearly six inches of rain. That is almost half of the average rainfall for an entire year in just one month. The above normal temperatures we enjoyed during April dropped several degrees in May along with the extended periods of rain.

We can anticipate high levels of leaf fungi infecting a variety of tree and shrubs. The most likely hosts for leaf fungi include: Aspen, Cottonwood, Crabapples, Apples, Pears, Mahonia (Grapeholly), Lilac, Cranberry (Viburnum) Bush, Junipers, Hawthorn, Horsechestnut, and many turf grasses. Click here to see a list of disease issues »

The consequence of foliar fungal infections is frequently premature defoliation of trees and shrubs, as well as severe dieback in turf areas. We cannot do anything to change the weather conditions, but with proper pruning, appropriate irrigation and timely use of fungicides, we can maintain a healthy ecosystem that is capable of a quick recovery after fungal outbreaks take place.