Burning Tree Ranch Neighborhood News and Updates
TREE INSPECTIONS OFFERED TO IDENTIFY HARMFUL BEETLES AND PARASITES
An occurrence of dwarf mistletoe was recently identified on some ponderosa pine trees in Burning Tree Ranch. Dwarf mistletoe is a parasite that weakens trees by robbing them of food and water and can severely damage and kill trees. Mistletoe spreads to other trees if not controlled.
In addition, at the 2025 annual HOA meeting, there was discussion about the threat to our trees from pine beetles. Burning Tree Ranch resident Sean Searle explained that when pine beetles infest a tree, the needles will start to brown out (starting at the top if it is an IPS beetle attack, or the entire tree all at once if IPS and/or red turpentine beetles are attacking it). If the infested tree is not cut down and hauled away or chipped promptly, the beetles will spread to other trees. It is not enough to just cut the trees down. The beetles will emerge when their life cycle calls for it and attack nearby trees. Sean has stated that subdivisions that aren’t vigilant in the identification and removal of beetle infested trees, lose hundreds of trees each year as compared to those that are vigilant, which only lose perhaps a dozen trees a year. He can provide examples of such subdivisions that were once heavily wooded and now consist of mostly dead trees (similar to what you see in the mountains). The main offenders are IPS and red turpentine beetles but we will occasionally see mountain pine beetles in this area as well. All three beetles kill our ponderosa pine trees in the same way; a fungus that chokes the tree from getting water.
Sean has offered to inspect trees for these issues on lots in BTR at no charge, upon request from lot owners. If you are interested in having your trees inspected, you may contact Sean Searle (The Tree Guy LLC) at 303-521-6717.
For more information on these harmful insects and parasites, please click the links below:
Dwarf Mistletoe
https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/csfs-poster-dmt.pdf
https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/mistletoes-in-colorado-conifers/
Turpentine Beetle
https://www.fs.usda.gov/foresthealth/docs/fidls/FIDL-55-RedTurpentineBeetle.pdf
https://agsci.colostate.edu/agbio/ipm-pests/43953-2/
Ips Beetle
https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/ips-beetle/
Mountain Pine Beetle
https://csfs.colostate.edu/forest-management/common-forest-insects-diseases/mountain-pine-beetle/
https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mountain-Pine-Beetle-Fact-Sheet-5.528.pdf
SUNDOWN OAKS METRO DISTRICT APPROVAL
The Douglas County Commissioners approved the Sundown Oaks Metro District application on September 23rd, following a 5 to 2 approval vote from the Douglas County Planning Commission on September 22, 2025.
Apr-1-2025 BEARS ARE ACTIVE
It's that time of year (mid-March through late November) when bears have come out of hibernation, roaming the neighborhood in search of food, and occasionally raiding bird feeders and trash left out for pickup. For helpful information on these issues and on co-existing safely with bears, we recommend the following website:
https://cpw.state.co.us/living-bears
WILDFIRE MITIGATION REVIEW OF YOUR PROPERTY
Would you like to get a professional wildfire mitigation review of your property that is free of charge? The Franktown Fire Department provides that service. By calling the Fire Department at 303-688-3811 and requesting that review, you can schedule a visit by the staff where they will instruct you on wildfire mitigation priorities, and areas of prevention improvement for you to focus on. You can expect the review to take approximately ½ hour.
DOUGLAS COUNTY SLASH/MULCH SITE
The Slash/Mulch site at 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock will be open for the 2025 season Apr. 12 - Oct. 25, on Saturdays only (weather permitting). For more information click the following link: https://www.douglas.co.us/public-works/slash-mulch-program/
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