Don't Let Pests Win: How to Keep Park City Trees Healthy Year-Round
Don't Let Pests Win: How to Keep Park City Trees Healthy Year-Round
Trouble in the Trees: Park City’s Growing Pest & Disease Problem
Park City is known for its scenic views, luxury homes, and beautiful tree-lined streets. But behind the beauty, a growing issue is quietly spreading across the community — pest and disease problems are threatening the health of ornamental trees and shrubs.
If left unchecked, these issues don’t just ruin curb appeal. They can kill off expensive trees, attract more pests, and make landscapes harder and more expensive to maintain. At Utah Tree Care Pros, we specialize in keeping your trees and shrubs healthy, strong, and protected — long before major problems start.
Why Are Park City Trees at Risk?
Park City’s trees face more stress than you might think. Hot summers, sudden cold snaps, and high elevation conditions weaken trees over time. And when trees are under stress, they’re more vulnerable to pests and disease.
Unlike forest trees, landscape trees don’t have the same support systems. In neighborhoods, trees are often crowded, exposed to salt and pollution , and growing in poor soil conditions — all of which create the perfect storm for pests to move in and diseases to spread fast.
Common Tree Pests in Park City — And Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Them
Park City’s unique mountain climate brings beauty and greenery to the area, but it also creates a perfect environment for certain tree pests to thrive. As the weather warms up in spring and summer, insect activity increases — and without proper care, these pests can quietly cause serious damage to your trees and shrubs.
Here are the most common pests we regularly see causing problems in Park City landscapes:
These pests are especially destructive. They lay their eggs in the bark of stressed trees — usually ones already weakened by heat, drought, or poor care. Once the larvae hatch, they tunnel under the bark and into the wood, cutting off water and nutrients. You might not see signs right away, but you’ll notice limbs dying back, bark cracking, or leaves turning brown. By the time most people realize something is wrong, the damage is already advanced.
Small but persistent, leafhoppers are fast-moving bugs that feed by sucking sap from the underside of leaves. Their feeding leaves behind tiny white or yellow specks known as stippling. While a few won’t kill your tree, a large infestation can wear it down. Over time, leafhoppers reduce the tree’s ability to create energy, which can lead to early leaf drop and long-term stress. They’re especially common in ornamental trees and shrubs.
Aphids and Spider Mites
Aphids are soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth and under leaves, feeding on plant juices and spreading sticky honeydew that attracts mold. Spider mites are even smaller — almost invisible — but they thrive in dry conditions and feed aggressively, turning leaves pale or bronze. Both pests reproduce quickly and can overwhelm a tree in just a few weeks, particularly if the tree is already weak or underfed.
Tree Diseases Are Quietly Spreading in Park City
While insects tend to get most of the attention, tree diseases are becoming just as serious in Park City — and they often show up after a tree is already stressed from heat, drought, or poor soil. Without early attention, even healthy-looking trees can decline fast.
Here are a few of the most common diseases we see affecting local trees:
This condition is especially common in trees planted in alkaline Utah soil. When trees can’t absorb iron properly, their leaves start to turn pale yellow with darker green veins. Over time, growth slows down, branches become brittle, and the tree loses its energy reserves. You’ll often see this in maples, oaks, and ornamental trees planted in lawns or near driveways.
This fast-acting bacterial disease mostly affects flowering trees like pears and apples. The first signs include blackened tips that look scorched or burnt — like someone held a flame to the leaves. Fire blight spreads quickly in warm, wet spring conditions, especially if trees are already vulnerable. Once it moves into the wood, it can take out entire limbs.
Canker infections kill small patches of bark, creating sunken or cracked areas that spread along branches and trunks. These open wounds weaken the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients. Over time, a canker can completely girdle a branch, cutting off flow and leading to dieback — or worse, tree death.
Red Flags: When to Step In
Tree health problems usually don’t start big. They sneak in slowly, showing subtle signs at first — and by the time leaves are dropping or limbs are bare, the damage has been going on for weeks or even months. Look out for:
Leaves turning yellow or pale outside of fall
Uneven, thinning leaf cover in the canopy
Shorter shoots and slower yearly growth
Sticky residue (sap or honeydew) collecting on leaves or surfaces below
Small holes or cracked bark
If you’re seeing any of this, now’s the time to act — not next season.
How We Help Property Owners Stay Ahead of Tree Problems
At Utah Tree Care Pros, our focus isn’t just fixing sick trees — it’s about preventing these issues from taking hold in the first place. We work with both homeowners and commercial sites in Park City to build smart, proactive plant care strategies.
Here’s how we do it:
Ongoing Tree Wellness Plans
We do an initial tree evaluation — watching for seasonal stress, pest activity, or disease risks. Our regular visits let us treat problems early and adjust care as needed to match changing weather or soil conditions.
Root-Level Nutrition Support
Park City’s soil doesn’t give trees everything they need. Most areas naturally only grew brush and grass prior to homes being built. We help your trees grow stronger by delivering nutrients directly to the roots using deep injection techniques that encourage healthy foliage and resilience against drought or damage.
Disease and Insect Barrier Treatments
We protect your trees at the right time of year with precisely timed applications that help guard against common Park City threats like leafhoppers, borers, mites, and fungal diseases. Our products are approved for local use and applied carefully by trained professionals.
Iron and Micronutrient Restoration
If your trees are showing signs of nutrient loss, we use treatments tailored for Utah conditions to help green them up and kickstart better health from the inside out.
Supporting the Green Spaces That Matter Most
Whether it’s a family backyard, a community center, or a large property with public access, healthy trees make all the difference. That’s why we work with:
Private homeowners
Landscaping crews
School grounds and campus managers
Local parks and city maintenance teams
HOAs and real estate developers
We understand the care that Park City trees need — and we’re here to deliver it without cutting corners.
Why Pest Prevention Matters
Left untreated, these pests don’t just go away. In fact, they often come back stronger each year — especially if the trees are never fully recovered. Over time, the repeated damage weakens the tree’s defenses and opens the door to bigger problems like disease, dead branches, or even complete tree loss.
At Utah Tree Care Pros, we take a proactive approach. We don’t wait for pests to destroy your trees. Our licensed team knows exactly when these insects are most active and vulnerable — and we use safe, effective methods to stop them before they cause serious harm.
Want help protecting your trees before pest season hits?
Don’t Wait for a Tree Emergency
By the time a tree shows obvious damage, the problem has often been building for months. Preventative care is the smarter, cheaper solution. With Utah Tree Care Pros on your side, your landscape can stay green, healthy, and resilient year after year.
📞 Call Utah Tree Care Pros at (801) 870-0164
🌐 Visit utahTreeCare.com to learn more about our pest and disease prevention services.
