Wednesday, 21 October 2026 02:00 PM
Company Update
Homeowners urged to watch for early warning signs as record heat and water restrictions leave mature pines and spruces vulnerable across Salt Lake, Davis, and Wasatch Counties
SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESS Newswire / October 21, 2026 / Green Pointe Tree Care today released new guidance from its Board Certified Master Arborist addressing a rapid rise in bark beetle infestations affecting pines and spruces throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The guidance comes as 2026 ranks among the hottest, driest years on record for the Wasatch Front, a combination of conditions that has left many of the region's mature evergreens too weakened to defend themselves against beetle attack.
According to Green Pointe Tree Care, drought stress does more than dry out a tree's canopy. Because trees can only absorb nutrients dissolved in water, prolonged dry soil cuts a tree off from its own food supply for weeks or months, even when the tree still appears green on the surface. Evergreens are especially exposed this year: unlike deciduous trees, conifers respire through their needles year-round, and unusually warm temperatures in December, January, February, and March meant many evergreens entered the 2026 growing season already running a water deficit.
That prolonged energy shortage has left widely planted landscape species, including Austrian pine, Scotch pine, and blue spruce, unable to mount the pitch production that normally repels attacking beetles, allowing Ips bark beetle populations to establish quickly once they find a weakened host.
Warning Signs Homeowners Should Watch For
Green Pointe Tree Care recommends homeowners inspect mature pines and spruces for:
- Small tubes or clumps of pitch on the trunk or larger branches
- Fine reddish, sawdust-like boring material collecting at the base of the tree
- Needles fading from green to yellow to dull reddish brown over several weeks
- Increased woodpecker activity on the trunk
The presence of more than one of these signs typically signals it's time for a professional evaluation.
Why Early Intervention Is Critical
Once a tree's crown has browned from the top down, the window for treatment has generally closed. Trees caught early, before significant canopy loss, respond best to a customized plan, which may include an inspection to assess canopy and root health, supplemental deep watering, soil and nutrient support, and targeted tree injections to protect the vascular system from further insect damage.
Green Pointe Tree Care also advises that recovery is gradual: a tree treated this season may not show visible improvement until the following spring, and continued monitoring is essential given the possibility of continued drought conditions.
A Shared Neighborhood Impact
Mature evergreens provide shade, wind protection, air filtration, and stormwater management for entire neighborhoods, not just individual properties. Green Pointe Tree Care notes that losing established trees to bark beetles changes the microclimate of a street and reduces property values, since mature shade trees are consistently linked to stronger curb appeal and lower cooling costs.
Recommendations for Homeowners
Green Pointe Tree Care recommends homeowners:
- Shift from frequent shallow watering to occasional deep, slow soaking at the drip line, roughly one to two hours every two to four weeks, even during water conservation efforts.
- Schedule a professional evaluation at the first sign of thinning needles, pitch tubes, or canopy discoloration.
- Act quickly once symptoms appear, as delays of even a few weeks can determine whether a tree can be saved.
Green Pointe Tree Care is offering evaluations from its Board Certified Master Arborist to residents in Salt Lake, Davis, and Wasatch Counties concerned about the health of their pines and spruces this season.
About Green Pointe Tree Care
Green Pointe Tree Care is a Salt Lake City tree care company serving homeowners across Salt Lake, Davis, and Wasatch Counties. With a Board Certified Master Arborist on staff, the company provides certified arborist services including tree health evaluations, insect and disease control, tree injections, and customized watering and fertilization plans built around each tree's specific needs. Green Pointe Tree Care is committed to protecting the mature trees that keep Utah neighborhoods cooler, greener, and healthier.
Media Contact
Codye Cunningham
Board Certified Master Arborist
Green Pointe Tree Care
(801) 608-6781
[email protected]
https://greenpointetreecare.com/
SOURCE: Green Pointe Tree Care