Signs Your Trees May Be Dying

When was the last time you thought about the health of your trees? If you cannot remember or the answer is “never,” then you may want to step outside and have a look. A dying tree can be hazardous to your property, surrounding trees and potentially anyone standing underneath (yikes!). While you should always hire a certified arborist for a proper diagnosis, there are signs you can check for yourself that indicate your tree may be infected, infested or dying.

The next time you’re out on your property, spend some time taking a close look at your trees. Starting at the base of the tree, take a look at the root flare—the roots which are visible between the ground and the trunk. Is there shelf fungus present? Fungus grows on decayed wood; when fungus is present on the root flare, you can be fairly certain wood rot is also present. If no root flare is visible, then the tree may be planted improperly and is not absorbing the water and ground nutrients it needs to survive. If possible, have a tree specialist look into replanting the tree.

Moving up the tree, look carefully at the trunk for any sign of vertical cracking or missing bark. Cracks along the length of the trunk are marks of severe structural damage and, if the tree is large, can be extremely dangerous. Immediate action should be taken to safely remove the unstable tree.

A less urgent sign that your tree is not well is bare patches in the bark. Trees regularly shed bark, but healthy trees also regenerate it. Bare patches indicate your tree may have a disease or an insect infestation, both of which usually require the tree’s removal.

Finally, inspect the branches. Do you notice an unusual amount of bare branches in the summertime? This is a sure sign that something is wrong with a tree and that the tree may be dying. If bare branches are discovered, have the entire tree trimmed, as leafless branches can destabilize the tree’s weight distribution. While the easiest time to check for dead branches is in the summer, you can also check in the winter by looking for branches that did not lose their leaves in the fall. The leaves on dead branches will be dried and brown in wintertime.

While it’s possible to spot some of these basic symptoms of tree trouble on your own, always consult a professional to be certain. If you have concerns over the health your trees and are in need of a tree service in Carlsbad, help is available at this website.