Borrowed blog from one of my favorite bloggers!

Have you ever heard of the children’s book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein? It’s a story about a tree that gives a boy everything it has, such as apples, wood and shade, to make him happy throughout his life. Every tree is a giving tree, isn’t it? Trees are wind obstructers, fresh air makers, pollutant reducers, shade producers, and block us from the cold. Trees entertain kids for hours with tree houses and swings. Trees let us relax with a hammock and a good book. One of the best parts about trees is they only require a little maintenance and care in return.

But what happens when your tree looks a little down in the dumps? An undiagnosed sick tree could kill your other surrounding trees, leaving your yard treeless. It could also fall, which can harm you and your property. Therefore, it is crucial to keep an eye on your tree to be aware of any symptoms that point to it being unhealthy.

Symptoms of a Sick or Dying Tree

There are several common symptoms of sickness that you can watch out for to determine if your tree needs help. Then, it's all a matter of diagnosing and taking action! A few common warning signs are listed below:

§  Poor structure. Sometimes trees can lean more to one side, or have an odd shape that is caused by an unnatural growth pattern. Severe storms and poor pruning are usually to blame for this; rectify this issue soon to prevent the tree from falling!

§  Decay. This one can be hard to spot, as decay usually affect the inside of the tree first. Visible symptoms include: mushroom-like spores, an expanded base, dead branches, and soft, breakable wood.

§  Weak unions or joints are also an indicator that your tree is sickly. If your tree’s branches don’t look very attached to the tree, there is a problem. This is caused by branches growing close together with bark in between. Weak branches mean they could fall at any time.

§  Cracks in your tree are tricky to diagnose because some are normal and some are not. Overall, the cracks don’t necessarily hurt the tree unless they become too deep and affect the tree’s infrastructure and branches, or if they host detrimental pests.

§  Cankers are areas of dead bark on your tree. A canker is similar to a human canker sore; both are painful sores from a disease caused by stress. A tree canker is caused by bacteria/fungi that infect a tree through an open wound. Once it’s inside, it attacks the tree and causes it stress, and in turn, a canker. Fortunately, these can usually be pruned off the tree.

§  The last symptom of a sick or dying tree is deadwood. Deadwood is exactly what it sounds like; wood that is dead. The branches are usually easy to break and are dry.

 All of these symptoms are warnings that your tree's health is threatened. The faster you identify these  indications, the faster your tree can get back to normal.

Arborists Are Your Friend

If prevention fails and your tree becomes sick, the best thing to do is to consult your local tree doctor, a.k.a., an arborist. They are certified experts that promote tree growth. What an arborist can help you with:

§  Identify at-risk trees

§  Know the laws about chemicals and deforestation

§  Properly spray trees with chemicals

§  Alert you about any spreading diseases

§  Brace your trees for support

§  Recommend trees that would work well with your yard

§  Identify valuable trees you can sell

§  Give you pruning tips

§  Remove your tree

§  Climb up high

§  Use heavy equipment

An arborist will do all of the dangerous things for you to keep you and your home safe. So no rickety ladders for you! If there is any way to save your tree, an arborist will know and will be able to help. If you have any questions about your trees or see any of the symptoms listed above, call us at McCullough’s Tree Service Newark/Granville 740.321.1080  | Zanesville 740.454.1789  |  Columbus 614.799.8733.