Trees are very resilient but they can get sick just like humans can. If you are worried about your trees, Five Star Tree Service’s list of common symptoms may help you understand when to ask for help. Aside from sick trees being unsightly, they can also be hazardous to the plants around them. In many cases, they can also be a danger to your property, vehicles or even yourself. Decayed branches can fall at any time and weak roots can cause a tree to tip over.
Instead of risking property damage, personal injury, or even death it is important to take proactive care of your trees. Getting an arborist report for your trees on a regular basis will allow you to check them for illness, infestation, and decay, and can prevent the worst-case scenarios listed above.
Tree Bark
If your tree has bark that is brittle and flaky, it is a sure sign of sickness. Healthy trees have pliable bark that has a soft texture.
Branches
Every so often branches fall or break after a storm, even on healthy trees. However, sick trees tend to have drooping branches that break off without any external cause. There may be rot or insect damage visible on the exterior, or the damage may be hidden inside of the tree.
Leaves
When a tree is sick the state of the leaves is predominantly the first sign. Copious leaf fall and lifeless leaves are a sure sign of illness.
Roots
Tree roots can become waterlogged or get damaged by vehicles and lawnmowers. These types of damage are cumulative and can result in a sick tree. Fungus can also cause damage to the roots which will also cause a tree to fall ill.
Looking for Symptoms
Now that you recognize the symptoms of a sick tree, you need to know how to identify them. Always take the time to examine the roots of the tree for water damage and physical damage that may be caused by lawn care or cars. If your trees are losing a lot of leaves out of season, take a closer look. If the leaves are sticky, yellowing, or show signs of fungus then your tree may be sick. Take time to inspect the bark and branches of your tree. If there are brittle or patchy areas on the bark, it may be sick. Branches that are losing leaves or look old and weathered may be suffering from rot. Also, check your tree trunk for cracks and crevices. Outside of storm damage or other physical damage, these are signs of a very sick tree.
How We Can Help
It is critical for the health of your tree that you understand the signs of illness. In many cases, small issues can be treated, and tree health can be restored. In serious cases, tree removal may be the best course of action. Give Five Star Tree Services a call at (416) 990-3355 if you are concerned about the health of your trees. We are delighted to come by for an evaluation and offer advice or treatment if needed. We look forward to serving any of your future tree service needs!