There are definitely things you need to watch out for if you have trees on your property. It’s important that you keep an eye on them and know what to look for. You should watch for diseases, pests, overhanging branches, root issues, decaying wood, cracks, weak branches, and cankers. Each of these things could potentially harm your tree’s and you need to be prepared.
Diseases
There are many
diseases that can impact your trees
id=”1725340921″>and you’ll need to keep an eye out for them. You should watch for mildew, Anthracnose, lethal yellowing, oak wilt, apple scab, cedar rusts, and many others. There are some diseases that are only found in certain trees so it’s important for you to know what kind of tree you have so you can prevent the diseases that it’s prone to. If you want to prevent diseases you can apply pesticides, pruning the diseased areas, or even removing the problem tree so that other trees don’t get infected too. This can help you to avoid the spread of disease and keep your trees as healthy as possible.
Pests
Pests can threaten your trees. After a long winter, some trees may be weak from the stressful weather elements. These vulnerable
trees invite unwanted pests
id=”1414263489″>and diseases. A few common tree pests to keep an eye out for include aphids or scale insects. They are small and extremely detrimental to your trees. They clump together and create colorful spots on bark, leaves, twigs, and needles. A large presence of these pests can cause trees to decline. You can prevent those pests in the last few weeks of winter by applying dormant oil and you can stop those pests before the spring comes.
Overhanging Branches
Overhanging branches can be dangerous and costly if it’s not taken care of. You need to keep an eye on any branches that look weak and can fall in a thunderstorm. You may have children running under the branches or you may have
expensive deck features
id=”1018558587″>that can be damaged by a falling tree branch. Overhanging branches need to be trimmed and kept under control. If you have a tree that hangs into your neighbors yard, you might consider trimming those branches too. It would be unfortunate to have a branch fall and hurt your neighbor and you wind up in court for their injuries.
Root Issues
Root issues are a common tree problem that you should watch out for. Most root problems are hard to detect but there are a few things you can look for. If you see roots wrapping around the base of the tree is something you’ll be able to see without consulting a professional. This is called girdling. The girdling roots can choke the tree as the roots and tree expand with age. If this happens, the tree will eventually die.
Other root problems will require a thorough investigation by trained professionals.
Decaying Wood
If the wood of your tree is colonized by fungi, it can decay. Mushrooms or other fungi are indicators that the interior of the tree is decaying. You also might see cracks, bulges, or holes that indicate decaying wood. If decay affects 40% of the tree, then the tree is at a high risk for failure. If you
suspect that your tree is decaying
, you should consult an arborist to conduct an investigation of the inside of the tree. Decay isn’t always a bad thing. The small holes that develop could house birds and other animals without causing additional harm to the tree.
Cracks
When the weight of the tree exceeds what the trunk or branch is capable of bearing, then cracks can develop. Most cracks develop along wounds that never healed properly. Vertical cracks along the wood grain are the most common. If a vertical crack goes through the entire tree, then the tree is at risk for failure and will need some specialized attention. There are some cracks that will heal in an in-rolled crack. This can be a sign of serious decay within the tree. You can check the hollowness of the tree by striking the crack with a mallet and listening. If the tree sounds hollow, you need to consult a specialist.
Weak Branches
Weak branches are something you’ll need to look for. When two branches grow too close together, bark can form between them and will weaken the connection between the branch and the trunk. With high winds or storm conditions, the weak branch will break and can leave a crack or tear a wound down the side of the tree. Other branches that can form are epicormic branches. These branches grow when the tree’s canopy is lost and they can grow very quickly and can be hazardous and prone to falling. If too many of these branches grow, the entire section of the tree is at risk of failure.
Cankers
Cankers are spots
on the tree where the bark is dead. As the tree grows, the canker will not grow. This can weaken the tree and the tree will fail because there is less wood to support the weight of the growing tree. Cankers can be caused through many factors like fungal infections, lightning strikes, insects, lawn mowers, or even vandalism. If a canker covers more than 40% of the tree, then it’s at high risk of failure. When cankers are paired with decay, this can be especially dangerous for the health of your tree.
Monitoring the health of your trees is important. The earth needs trees in order to stay beautiful and this comes through taking good care of your trees. You need to look for diseases, pests, overhanging branches, root issues, decaying wood, cracks, weak branches, and cankers. Each of these things can cause damage to your trees and cause them to die. Hopefully, with this list, you’ll be able to become a better caretaker of your trees and be more aware of the things you can prevent.
If you’re having tree problems and need them removed, we can help! Contact us today to
get an estimate
.