DENVER -- Brown lawn after brown lawn reflect the severity of this year's drought. And the growing list of communities that have imposed watering restrictions shows how desperately rain is needed across the state.

But it is the trees that reveal a unique perspective of just how grave the situation is.

From front yards to forests, some trees are dying, while others are turning colors early, craving moisture and changing colors without it.

"We're definitely losing some trees directly from the drought," said research forester Wayne Shepperd, referring to the Manitou Experimental Forest southwest of Denver.

The losses are "not from insect attack or disease. It's the first time I've observed this, and I've been working for the Forest Service for 33 years," said Shepperd.

COLORADO'S DROUGHT Water Restrictions By City Reducing Water Use RESOURCES State Drought Info Watering Schedule Adjusting Water Sprinklers Water Tips Gardening During Drought Drought Conditions U.S. Drought Monitor Western Water Supply Forecasts Colorado Reservoir Storage Status Colorado Snowpack Summary Drought FAQ

"The situation is far short of tree death," said Carl Wilson, horticulturist with Colorado State University's cooperative extension service. "But we are seeing premature fall coloration that I think is a sign of drought stress."

The 26-square-mile experimental forest normally receives 10 inches of precipitation from January through July. This year, just 2.71 inches have fallen, making this the driest year since weather records were first kept for Manitou in 1937.

And Manitou is not unique.

"I was flying all last week along the southern Front Range," said David Leatherman, a Colorado State Forest Service entomologist. "There is extensive mortality in pine from probably I-70 to the New Mexico border."

Trees like aspen, cottonwood and linden that normally turn color in September have changed several weeks early due to the lack of precipitation. This week aspens were turning yellow as low as 9,000 feet in the central mountains.

How To Protect Your Trees

For trees at home, researchers say that the dry conditions could make them more vulnerable to insects and disease. To protect them, make sure you hand water it at least three times a month, 7NEWS reported.

To water your trees properly your should soak it it deeply, between 10 to 12 inches, master gardener John Cretti said.

You can do that using a frog-eye sprinkler or a root irrigator.

If you are using the frog-eye sprinkler, put it at the drip line of the tree. The drip line is the area right under where the branches extend. So, if you drew a line from the furthest branch down to the ground, that is where your drip line is, Cretti said.

Set up the sprinkler to run for about 15 to 20 minutes and then move it around the drip line until you've covered the area. Do this once a month, or when your tree gets very dry, Cretti said.

If you are using a root irrigator, hook it up to a hose an insert it around the drip line. It has to go in 10 to 1 inches deep. Leave it in for about 30 to 60 seconds and then keep moving it 4 inches apart until you've completed it around the drip line.

Make sure to keep your buds moist over the winter. Otherwise, your tree will die.