Pests & Other Problems

Why is it important to keep our trees and green spaces healthy?

• Trees and green spaces provide essential ecosystem and economic benefits such as energy cost savings, storm water absorption, and carbon sequestration.
• Dead trees, brush, and grass are a major fire risk in both urban and open spaces.
• Infected trees and plants threaten other nearby green assets and could devastate the ecological health in our region if left unmitigated.
• Minimizing infections and infestations at the beginning can help minimize long term costs for treatment and prevent spread.
• Pest, disease, and noxious weed pressure will likely persist as the effects of climate change worsen.

Current & Significant Pests:

Emerald Ash Borer 

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was positively identified in Carbondale as of June 2023. EAB causes rapid canopy dieback and tree death within 1 - 4 years of introduction, and is one of the most destructive tree pests in North America. As of Septemper 2023, Glenwood Springs still has not found any evidence of EAB within city limits, but staff is on the lookout and treating specimen trees for all bark borer beetles regardless of whether the spead reaches our city. If you see an ash tree in your yard with symptoms of a possible EAB infection, please contact a certified arborist immediately and report EAB confirmation to tree.hotline@cogs.us. 

Symptoms of EAB may include:

• D-shaped exit holes on the surface of the bark, and S-shaped galleries underneath the outer bark.
• Leaves stay small throughout the growing season and some limbs only partially produce leaves.
• The tree is producing sprouts in strange places such as the base or midsection of the tree.
• Rapid dieback of the tree canopy, starting with the upper-most limbs.

Learn more about EAB specific to our region in the Roaring Fork EAB brochure (también disponible en español). Additional in depth information is available through the Colorado State Forest Service website.

Ips Beetles

Ips beetles, also known as engraver beetles, infest stressed pine and spruce trees. Environmental conditions, such as drought, windthrow, and fire, have created an opportunity for an influx of these beetles over the past several years. The Parks department launched an awareness campaign to help educate residents on how to best deal with the issue and are taking action to help protect our urban forest. Please contact a certified arborist to conduct an accurate tree assessment if you see symptoms of Ips bark beetles in your pine or spruce trees, and report Ips confirmation to tree.hotline@cogs.us. 

Symptoms of Ips may include:

• Yellowish- or reddish-brown dust accumulating in bark crevices or around the base of the tree
• Tree discoloration (“fade”); dieback at the top of the tree
• Woodpeckers feeding on the trunk or larger branches (they’re a common predator of the Ips beetle) 
• Small round holes in the bark. You’ll usually see these after the beetles have already done their damage and exited the tree.

Learn more about Ips beetles on the Colorado State Forest Service website:

• Ips Beetle Species (298 KB PDF)
• Piñon Ips Beetle – 2020 Quick Guide (5.3 MB PDF)
• Ips Beetle Poster (946 KB PDF)

Noxious Weeds:

Stay up to date on noxious weeds in our area by checking the Garfield County Noxious Weed List. This site is also a great resource for management guidelines and assistance programs.