With over 40 years of experience caring for properties across the Colorado Front Range, our International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists provide expert tree diagnosis, health assessments, and treatment plans that protect the long-term health of your landscape. Whether you’ve noticed something off with a single tree or want a full evaluation of your property, our team identifies the problem and recommends a clear path forward — backed by ANSI A300 standards and honest, no-pressure advice.
We offer free estimates for new clients, along with military and senior discounts, and we never charge storm surcharges.
What's Wrong With My Tree? Signs You Need a Professional Assessment
Trees often show warning signs well before a problem becomes serious, but those signs aren’t always easy to interpret on your own. If you’re noticing any of the following, it’s a good time to schedule a tree health assessment:
Leaf discoloration or early leaf drop
Yellowing, browning, spotting, or leaves dropping outside of normal fall timing can point to disease, nutrient deficiency, or root stress.
Visible fungus, cankers, or oozing bark
Mushroom-like growths at the base of the trunk, sunken dead patches (cankers), or sap/liquid seeping from the bark are signs of fungal or bacterial infection that need diagnosis before they spread.
Small holes, sawdust-like material, or tunneling in the bark
These are common signs of borer activity (like the Colorado-infamous emerald ash borer), which can kill a tree from the inside before external symptoms are obvious.
Thinning canopy or dead branches
Sparse foliage at the top of the tree or scattered dead limbs throughout the canopy can indicate root damage, advanced disease, or structural decline.
Stunted growth or unusual swelling
Slow growth compared to past seasons, or abnormal swelling on the trunk or branches, can signal internal decay or structural issues that aren’t visible from the outside.
If any of this sounds familiar, our arborists can give you a clear answer rather than a guess.
What's Included in a Professional Tree Health Assessment
Every tree health assessment we perform is a hands-on, in-person evaluation conducted by an ISA Certified Arborist. Our process includes:
- Visual canopy inspection — checking foliage density, color, and overall crown health
- Trunk and bark evaluation — identifying cankers, cracks, fungal growth, or borer damage
- Root zone inspection — assessing root health, soil compaction, and signs of root-related stress
- Pest and disease identification — diagnosing the specific organism or condition affecting the tree
- Structural risk evaluation — determining whether a tree poses a safety hazard to people or property
Once the assessment is complete, we walk you through exactly what we found and what we recommend, including whether treatment is needed at all. We’d rather tell you a tree is healthy than sell you a service you don’t need.
Common Tree Issues in Colorado
Colorado Springs’ climate and tree population — including ponderosa pine, blue spruce, cottonwood, aspen, and Austrian pine — create specific disease and common pest pressures:
Fire blight
A bacterial infection common in flowering and fruit-bearing trees that causes blackened, scorched-looking leaves and branch dieback.
Bacterial wetwood
Often found in aspen, cottonwood, and elm trees, identified by dark, wet-looking discoloration on the trunk and a noticeable odor.
Tree cankers
Localized dead or sunken areas on bark or branches that signal an underlying fungal or bacterial infection.
Bark beetles
A serious threat to ponderosa pine and other conifers in our region; early detection is critical since infestations can kill a tree within a single season.
Wood-boring insects
Including emerald ash borer and other borers that tunnel into wood, often going undetected until significant internal damage has occurred.
We treat each of these based on the specific organism, the tree species involved, and how advanced the issue is.
Our Tree Diagnosis & Treatment Process
Step 1: On-site inspection
An ISA Certified Arborist visits your property to visually inspect the tree’s canopy, trunk, bark, and surrounding root zone.
Step 2: Diagnosis
We identify the specific disease, pest, or environmental stressor affecting the tree, and assess how advanced the issue is.
Step 3: Treatment plan
You’ll receive a clear explanation of recommended treatment options, costs, and timing with no pressure to do more than what’s actually needed.
Step 4: Treatment & follow-up
We apply the recommended treatment using professional-grade methods, and let you know if or when a follow-up assessment makes sense.
Tree Health Assessments & Diagnosis Throughout the Colorado Springs Area
We provide tree diagnosis, treatment, and health assessment services throughout El Paso and Teller Counties, including Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Pueblo, Black Forest, Falcon, Peyton, Woodland Park, Larkspur, Palmer Lake, and Cripple Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my tree needs a professional health assessment?
If you notice discoloration, fungus, bark damage, dead branches, or slowed growth, it’s worth having an ISA Certified Arborist take a look. Many issues are easier and less expensive to treat when caught early.
How often should trees be assessed?
For most established trees, an assessment every two to three years is sufficient. High-value trees, older trees, or trees showing signs of stress benefit from annual evaluation.
Can a diseased tree be saved?
In many cases, yes. Early diagnosis significantly improves treatment success, and many common issues — including nutrient deficiencies and early-stage fungal infections — are reversible when caught in time.
How quickly can you schedule a tree diagnosis?
We offer same-day service when possible, with next-morning scheduling typical for most requests.
Do you offer free estimates for tree health assessments?
Yes, we provide free estimates for new assessments throughout the Colorado Springs area.
Schedule Your Tree Health Assessment Today
If you’re noticing signs of tree stress or you simply want peace of mind, contact Affordable Tree & Shrub Experts for a professional tree health assessment. Our ISA Certified Arborists are licensed and insured through the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and we’re proud to hold an A+ rating with the BBB.