Salida Field Office – Community Forestry
Trees in a Town Setting
The trees planted in Buena Vista, Leadville, Poncha Springs and Salida create an urban forest. A healthy urban forest protects water quality, provides wind and sun protection, provides habitat for birds, mammals and insects, and adds considerable aesthetic value that makes businesses and neighborhoods more inviting.
With the exception of Leadville, most of the trees planted in our communities are not native to Colorado. To be healthy, these trees need more water than the state’s climate provides and adequate space to grow.
Caring for the trees around homes and parks tends to be more intensive because there are more sources of stress such as compacted soil; bark injury from animals, lawn mowers, weed whackers or vehicles; inadequate water; use of chemicals; and improper pruning cuts.
The Salida office provides the following services to communities and property owners:
- Tree Identification
- Proper Planting Techniques
- Sick Tree Calls
- Proper Tree Care, Including Watering & Pruning
- How to Protect Trees During Construction
- Community Tree Inventory & Management Recommendations
We are available to address tree care issues from our office or we can make site visits by appointment. A group also may request a workshop on a particular subject.