The calendar says December, but for much of Colorado, the weather feels more like April… and that’s causing some trees and shrubs to wake up far too soon.
Arborists say the recent stretch of unseasonably warm temperatures is disrupting winter dormancy, leading to early bud break on trees and plants across the Front Range. That false start can create long-term problems.
“They don’t know it’s Christmas,” said Jonathan Raleigh, an arborist with SavATree, with a laugh. “They think it’s time for bud break.”
Raleigh says the stress from this early growth can linger for years, weakening trees’ defenses against pests, causing internal damage, and even leading to stunted growth or death…