Trees play an essential role in the yard. They offer shade to everyone rather, but they also help the environment create oxygen. Owners who plant trees often think that they can plant a tree, water it till they get fully established, and then think their job is done. But this is not the case.
That means if you ignore the trees and don’t check them regularly, they can become sick and die. But don’t make this happen because all life forms are living, and if they don’t exist, no one will exist.
Now the question arises how can you recognize if the tree is sick, or how do you know the signs of a dying tree?
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In order to make them live, you should be aware of the health of your trees so that you can save them on time. So, let’s discuss some of the signs of a sick tree so that you can carry out a sick tree treatment on time and save them: –
Table of Contents
1. Strange growths or fungus
Some of the trees like Hickory, Cherry, Maple, Birch trees in which Fomes fomentarius fungus often found. This fungus is tough, has a hoof-shaped structure, and has a grey shade.
Moreover, it has millions of small pores on the bottom side, and once it gets attached to a tree, it starts growing with time until it is removed.
However, if any of the trees you come across have large and strange fungus-like growths on the trunk or branch shows that the tree is experiencing internal rot and the underlying section of a tree is dead.
2. Wilted or dying leaves
If your tree has wilted or died, leaves at the wrong time of the year are the first sign that branches will die. It shows that all the leaves are not getting enough moisture or nutrition they require for good growth. Apart from that, some of the signs like damaged leaves, discolored, dying, wilted leaves also indicate lots of things starting from insect infestation to rot.
If you have noticed this type of problem with your tree, immediately go for professional sick tree treatment.
3. Spots and blemishes on leaves, fruit, or bark
Many fungal and bacterial diseases can cause spots, scars, sunken areas, and other blemishes on various tree parts. However, some of these signs also indicate insect damage like yellow stippling caused by sap-sucking spider mites.
To get rid of this problem, first of all, look at the color, size, shape, and location of the spots and check the time of year and the tree species. In most cases, some type of insect pests is creating the problem.
Moreover, various signs will help you diagnose the problem in other cases, like galls or fungal fruiting bodies. If you want permanent removal of them, it is best to call a certified arborist as they will inspect spots or blemishes on the tree.
4. Flowers or shoots are getting black.
One insect called fire blight can easily affect pear trees, apple trees, and various other members of the family Rosaceae. Due to this, the shoots or flowers of the tree get black and turn into the shape of a shepherd’s crook.
All the above symptoms appear after a few weeks when the tree gets infected. However, this insect is fast-moving and can wipe out many trees in one season.
5. Decay and mold
Sometimes, trees get too much water, especially when they are in a muddy or boggy area because decay, mold, and rot can set in. when this problem starts, or trees start to rot, it is quite complex to manage. Still, the only solution is to cut away the rot as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will take off the whole tree.
Mold is the clear sign that shows the tree is rotting from the inside, which happens for various reasons.
6. Open wounds
If you notice open wounds in a tree, it indicates the tree will die soon. Therefore, when you go for tree trimming, go for careful cuts because torn branches, significant cuts, or splits in the tree are very difficult to recover.
However, when lightning strikes and wind comes, these trees split from top to bottom, and branches tear off. If big branches fall, they automatically have a high chance of dying.
7. Brittle branches
If you have noticed that your tree’s branches break easily and after windy weather, the dead branches litter the ground, you must go for tree safety evaluation ASAP.
The reason is brittle branches are infected with some kind of disease which means the majority of the tree is also dead. So, wait until the tree falls and seek professional sick tree treatment to check its stability.
8. Holes in the tree leaves
Holes or ragged areas in tree leaves can be a severe problem that needs treatment. But sometimes, it is just temporary cosmetic damage that won’t harm the tree. That means some insect is chewing the leaves, which is not a matter of concern.
Another cause of holes in the tree is fungal diseases, also called shot hole diseases. It is usually spread by wind and splashing water, depositing spores on leaves, and spraying for insects.
Moreover, holes in the leaves also occur due to strong winds as wind and cold can dry out leaves. So, whatever be the problem, you must call a professional certified arborist to check the tree.
9. The tree is leaning
If the tree trunk is leaning, you must find out the exact problem with the tree. Here when you notice the outer portion of a tree, you will not see any reason for its leaning, but there can be interior or underground damage that is making the tree lean. However, if this problem is with a large tree, it can be dangerous and fall over without any warning.
Apart from that, you must look for: –
- Oozing wounds or cankers on the tree’s trunk
- Areas of sunken bark
- Insect infestations
- Bark cracks or swollen raised areas of bark
- Sawdust collects at the base of your tree’s trunk.
How to save a dying tree?
You can do various things to ensure the tree will be in great shape. For example, take the help of the right amount of fertilizers, don’t overwater the trees, use limited mulch, prune the trees on time, and last but not least, don’t injure them.
However, these are some of the common things you can do to save your trees. That means depending upon the diseases, every problem has a different solution.
So, for proper treatment, you must call professional sick tree treatment to offer the best services from certified arborists.