Identifying Tree Health Problems

Trees are much like people, they require health care, and even when they are not sick they need attention and maintenance. Trees can seem fine one day, and it seems like the next day they can look a bit odd or even downright unhealthy. Identifying tree health problems is never easy, so that is why the most advisable thing you can do is to take careful care of your trees. Even then, your trees may suffer from time to time, but if you know what to look for you can usually nurse them back to health before things go too far and you lose the tree.

Tree health problems originate from two basic sources, which are biotic or living sources, and abiotic, which are non-living sources. Tree problems vary from tree to tree, area to area, and season to season but the cause will always be from one of these main areas. Pests are small animals, which may burrow into the tree roots and actually kill the tree because its root structure has been torn away, or it can be pests as simple as termites or ants. There are whole assortments of pests that can seriously threaten the health of your tree. Just taking the time to closely examine your trees every few weeks can often stop Pest infestations that damage the tree. It really doesn’t take much time at all for pests to take over and damage the health of your tree, so it’s something you need to stay on top of. Luckily, if you do stay on top of pests you’ll usually be able to see evidence of them long before they can cause permanent damage. Staying aware of how your tree looks and any pests that are moving in is the best thing that you can do to stop or limit pest damage.

Non-living sources are things such as moss, lichen, and fungi. These can often be silent killers because you may not notice them forming and then attacking your tree. If you have one tree in your yard that you know is suffering from one of these sources of tree health problems, it’s a good idea to treat all the trees in your lawn because it’s likely that they are all suffering to some extent.

When trees are suffering as a result of non-living sources they can be over taken and fall ill quite quickly. Closely observing your tree and taking note of any changes will usually stop the problem before it is too widespread to save the tree. Unfortunately, every tree reacts a little bit differently to these issues, so you have to know your tree and really pay attention.

Biotic and abiotic causes of tree health problems really do go hand in hand. Once a tree has been afflicted to a moss or fungus or the like it becomes even more prone to pest infestation. Most trees that are suffering from health problems have a primary and secondary cause for their illness, so they must be treated for both to truly recover. The primary reason for health problems in most trees just deals a first blow, but it can be the secondary source that really does the tree in. This is why all health issues have to be addressed, not just one, or the other.

All trees may react differently when they are ill, but some things to watch out for are falling leaves before the appropriate season, late or lack of blossoming, branches that do not have any leaves on them, holes in the trunk or branches, evidence of insect activity, or dry leaves that have an odd texture to them are all signs of an ill tree. The best thing you can do at this point is to call a professional. While you may be able to make an educated guess as to what is wrong, only a professional can tell you for sure and then either treat the tree, or let you know how to treat the tree yourself if at all possible.

Trees are like people, they need time, attention, love, and care. Even with the best care, a tree may become ill and suffer from some problems, but the better care that is taken the less likely your tree is to have health problems.