A sick tree is an eyesore, but it can also be a serious threat to other plant life on your lawn and to the property itself. Fortunately, with a decent dose of vigilance, you can identify threats of a sick or dying tree before it becomes a serious issue. There are a number of diseases that can cause your tree to wither and die, but the most common risks are molds like anthracnose or bacteria like fire blight. Understanding the disease causing the problem is less important than recognizing there’s a problem in the first place, as you’ll likely want to enlist professional services to address the issue.
If you’re looking to identify signs of illness in a tree, there are a few important things to check. When looking at a tree, you’re going to want to perform a full diagnosis that starts at the roots and then work your way up. At the base, you’ll want to look for signs of decay, overabundant fungus, or signs of rot, and keep an eye out for peeling bark on the surface of the trunk as you work your way up. Deformed leaves, holes in the canopy, or general weaknesses in the structure of the wood are all noticeable signs that there may be something wrong. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to avoid illness in the first place.
Think of Your Trees When Performing Yard Word
Open wounds on the human body are the easiest way for an infection to find purchase, and this is just as true for trees. Be mindful when performing yard work to avoid causing damage to the bark or skin on your trees. Keeping an eye out for roots when mowing or pruning your lawn is equally as important.
Proper Maintenance Is Key
A well-groomed tree is a healthy tree. Pruning your trees and shrubbery regularly helps them maintain their immune system and gives them the space they need to continue growing throughout their life. Keep an eye out for other trees and objects to prevent them from expanding into one another, and set a schedule for maintenance, either handled by yourself or a professional.
Be Cognizant of the Conditions
A healthy tree is better equipped to prevail against a disease, and that’s why it’s important to make sure they have all the resources they need. Keep an eye on the weather. During hot summers and drought season, manual watering may be necessary. Damage caused by storms might require emergency tree surgery to put your tree back in fighting shape.
Tree disease is a common occurrence in nature, but maintaining the health of your trees means being aware and responding when a problem arises. Make sure you have an arborist like those at Pete & Ron’s Tree Service, Inc. on hand to assist when the worst happens.