Colorado-Real-Estate-Journal_335975

April 2023 — Property Management Quarterly — Page 13 www.crej.com Landscape Are your tenants uncomfortable? We can help. www.cmimech.com 303.364.3443 We love solving complicated mechanical problems. S pring is here and it’s the perfect time for commer- cial real estate property managers to start thinking about their landscaping. Did you know that trees can increase the value of a prop- erty by up to 37%? The great thing about trees is that the economic benefits are just the start. They do so much for us. Well-cared for trees are an asset to landscapes and provide many benefits, like adding considerable value to a property. Regular tree maintenance, such as pruning and fertilization, can make a world of difference when it comes to a tree’s health and the value it adds to the property. With the warmer weather and longer days, it is the ideal time to start planning and preparing your property for the upcoming growing season. Here are some secrets to a tip-top spring landscape: n Assess the health of the trees. This is a good time for managers to refamiliarize themselves with the plant material on their property. Managers should look for signs of winter damage, such as disease, dead branches or discolored leave, especially on evergreens. A certi- fied arborist can help identify and treat any problems that your trees may have, from pruning needs to diagnosing health issues. n Clean up from winter. Cleaning up debris from winter, whether it be fallen branches in the lawn or leaves that blew under plants after the last fall clean up, can be a good way to get active and burn off pent up winter energy. n Plant new trees. Property managers should think about the right tree for the right place. Select a location that provides enough light and space for the tree’s mature size. And be sure to plant the tree so that the root flare is vis- ible and event with the soil surface. n Use the right fertilizer. A slow- release fertilizer can provide a steady supply of nutrients through- out the growing season. Many dif- ferent products exist. Having an expert help navigate the NPK ratios for your specific plant/property will yield the best results. Keep in mind that overfertilizing can be just as harmful as under-fertilizing, so a professional should be consulted. n Mulch, mulch, mulch. Mulching planting beds in spring is good to help regulate soil temperature, add organic material back into the soil, keep down weeds and add color. But be sure not to volcano mulch. n Water regularly. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not water- logged, during the tree’s first grow- ing season. n Prune as needed. Prune only as necessary to remove damaged or crossing branches and to shape the tree to a desirable form. Best Trees for Colorado Landscapes n Flowering crabapple, which pro- vide an abundance of fragrant, pink or white flowers in the spring, this tree typically grows to a height of 15 to 25 feet, with a spreading crown and a rounded shape n Piñon pine, a slow-growing, drought-tolerant pine tree that is native to Colorado, can reach up to 50 feet in height, with a rounded crown and branches that grow close to the ground. Its needles are typi- cally 2 to 5 inches long and its cones are about 2 to 4 inches in length. n Serviceberry is a deciduous tree that provides early spring clusters of white or pink flowers, followed by edible berries in the summer and vibrant colors in the fall, grow- ing to a height of 20 to 30 feet, with a rounded crown and a spreading habit. n Honey locust, a drought-tolerant tree, can reach up to 70 to 100 feet in height, with a narrow, upright habit and a feathery appearance. It produces clusters of small, fragrant yellow flowers in spring, followed by seed pods that persist into winter. n Quaking aspen is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 40 to 60 feet, with a narrow, upright habit and a white, smooth trunk. Its leaves are heart-shaped, with a quivering appearance, and turn bright yellow in the fall. By properly assessing the health of your property’s trees, fertilizing, pruning and choosing the right plants, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that will thrive in the dry, high-altitude climate of Colorado. s Steve.Schopp@davey.com Spring landscaping tips improve curb appeal Steve Schopp, ISA Manager, Davey Tree Experts Regular tree maintenance, such as pruning and fertilization, can make a world of difference when it comes to a tree’s health and the value it adds to the property.