Forest Insects and Diseases

Insects and diseases pose two of the most serious threats to a tree’s health.

As soon as you notice any abnormality in your tree's appearance, you must begin a careful analysis to gain an understanding of the problem.

By examining the specific symptoms of damage and understanding their causes, you can make a reasonable diagnosis of the problem and select the proper treatment. If you are uncertain about the type of insect or disease, or do not know how to treat them, contact your local CSFS district to conduct a homesite assessment of the trees on your property.

Insect & Disease Diagnosis

A forester will inspect diseased or insect-infested trees for private landowners. Sick Tree Calls are done in any area of the District outside the city of Colorado Springs. Such visits are by appointment only, and have an associated service fee.

To schedule a site visit, please call (719) 687-2921 or email Michael Till at michael.till@colostate.edu.

Left: Pitch tubes on a mountain pine beetle-attacked tree.

More information about Common Forest Insects and Diseases is available on the CSFS website.

Learn More About Common Forest Insects and Diseases

• Mountain Pine Beetle
• Ips Beetle
• Dwarf Mistletoe
• Western Spruce Budworm
• Insect & Disease Publications

Ips-infested tree	Dwarf mistletoe-infected tree