In Park City, most tree problems are not caused by insects or disease. They are caused by a much simpler issue: water. More specifically, not enough of it reaching the roots of the Trees. With the many obstacles it has, trees are getting far less water than you think.
Most people have no idea, I know this because when I ask them how much water they’re giving the trees they give me a time period. Like 15 minutes, water, for the record is measured and volume not time. It’s a common mistake, but it tells me that they really don’t know how much the trees are getting and how damaging that can be.
Water out of the irrigation system has nothing but obstacles different ones in different seasons, but always present.
During summer, water is lost to evaporation, or absorbed by thick mulch near the surface, taken by surrounding grass, which is extremely competitive. Tree roots generally lie six to sixteen inches below the surface, and by the time water passes through mulch, turf, and compacted soil, very little remains.
Weed barriers often make things worse. While intended to suppress weeds, many fabrics become hydrophobic over time, especially when exposed to sun. Instead of letting water pass through, they deflect it away from the tree’s root system.
The situation deteriorates further in fall. Irrigation systems are typically blown out in early October, just when trees—especially spruce—should be storing water for winter. From October through November, trees receive little or no supplemental moisture. (the most critical time of the year) Then winter arrives.
In Park City, snow freezes and stays. From the first sustained snowfall through April, very little meltwater penetrates the soil. During this time, evergreen trees lose moisture to wind through transpiration, but cannot replace it because the ground is frozen. This leads to winter desiccation, leaving many spruce trees stressed and discolored by spring.
Roadside trees face an added challenge. Road salt pushed into planting areas raises sodium levels in the soil, which blocks water uptake and intensifies drought stress.
These issues are fixable, but they are rarely considered.. Fertilizer will not solve them. Trees in Park City don’t need more nutrients—they need better, more efficient water delivery. In a high-desert environment where water is precious, making sure it actually reaches tree roots is the single most important step toward healthier, longer-lived trees.
Weak trees (water deficient)
Large bark chunks