Warning Signs Your Trees Are Unhealthy

The responsibility of owning and caring for a home includes much more than just indoor maintenance. Sure, you have to cut the grass, weed gardens, and clean sidewalks and driveways but what about your trees? Many homeowners do not know how to properly care for trees letting them grow out of control and possibly causing safety concerns. When trees are not correctly pruned, fertilized, or otherwise cared for it can lead to very big problems. Unhealthy trees can fall inuring people and damaging property. Learn how to recognize the signs of unhealthy trees.

Caring for your trees can be a time consuming effort and requires some extensive knowledge. It is best to hire an arborist or tree specialist to care for your trees if you don't have the time, or want to care for them properly. Damage caused by falling trees can be quite expensive especially if the structure of your home is destroyed, a tree falls on a car or person, or if utility lines are compromised.

Overgrown and unhealthy trees are a danger to anyone and anything in the area. Removing a tree can be expensive, but the costs associated with damages caused by a falling tree can be even greater reaching thousands of dollars.

If you own a home you should have an arborist survey the trees on your property each year. The cost of a tree survey is generally around $200, depending on how many trees you have and the size of your property. Always use a certified and/or insured tree care specialist or arborist. Sick and dying trees may be an accident waiting to happen, but there are many warning signs homeowners fail to recognize.

Warning signs that go unnoticed can be fatal for your trees forcing you to have them removed. Most healthy trees can heal on their own over time, but sick trees may not be able to recover. Always consult a professional about your worries and concerns affecting the trees on your property.

Insects, disease, and weather conditions may lead your trees to become unhealthy. Damaged or sick trees left untreated may begin to die and rot causing further complications for the homeowner. Because landscaping problems concerning trees can be costly, homeowners should be aware of problems that may affect the health of their trees.

Most trees will suffer if limbs are broken, leaves are eaten by insects, or if there is substantial damage to the trunk or roots. Often, the first warning sign there is a problem with your trees may be the presence of dead or dying limbs.

Dead limbs may be grey-brown in color and will not have any leaves on them. Dying limbs may have leaves, but not many and they may be drying up or smaller than the rest of the leaves on the tree. Leaves are essential for trees because they provide food and oxygen to the rest of the tree. Without leaves (during the proper seasons), it is almost certain a tree will die because it cannot get essential nutrients and basically starves to death.

Insects can wreak havoc on trees, especially those that only emerge every few years to a decade. These types of insects can severely damage a weak tree and can cause a healthy tree to become sick. Be aware of what insects breed and feed on your trees and what their life cycles are. During some seasons and some years, in order to protect your trees you may need to cast netting over the crown and trunk to protect it from pestering insects. Some homeowners may also want to protect small trees during some seasons in the same manner to protect them from animals, like deer.

When performing regular lawn maintenance or gardening, stop and check your trees. Unhealthy trees may have new growth at the base of the trunk. This happens when a tree's leaves cannot provide food, or the roots have become suffocated. The tree then begins to grow new shoots at the bottom that grow into new trees if left unattended. The tree does this so it can use food from the soil that is not being provided by the leaves. New growth at the base of the trunk crowds the root area and both trees may pose a safety concern. This symptom can happen for a number of reasons including recent construction, severe damage to the roots, or internal death of the trunk.

Sufficient damage to the roots and death of the inner part of the trunk most often signal death of the tree. Some trees can be saved with the help of a certified arborist, but severely damaged trees will have to be removed. Recent construction and sometimes home renovations can cause the soil to become compacted. When the soil compacts the roots begin to suffocate and the tree eventually dies. This symptom can be reversed if it is not too far progressed. Any time you anticipate construction or outdoor home improvement projects, consult a professional tree specialist to take the proper precautions for your trees.

As you care for your trees also be aware of mushrooms that grow on the trunk or near the roots. This is a sign that the tree is almost dead, or dead and will need to be removed. Look out for cracks in driveways, sidewalks, or roots that rise up from the ground.

In many suburban neighborhoods trees cause terrible damage to sidewalks and roadways, creating dangers for pedestrians and drivers. Poor planning on the part of your town may lead to tree trouble as well. The installation of sewage and utility lines underground can seriously impact your trees, especially if they border your property on the roadside. Be aware of roadwork or other construction that takes place in your neighborhood so you can protect your trees.

In order to protect your trees from power lines it is best to have them professionally pruned every 2-3 years. Overgrown trees can cause a serious problem. If it cannot be corrected by pruning or crown thinning the tree may have to be moved or cut down. When dealing with trees and power lines, always contact the utility company directly. Often, utility companies will send a professional to survey the tree and work with the homeowner on a plan of action. Overgrown trees can also cause serious damage during storms and heavy snowfall.

Diseases, specific to each species of tree can also affect the heath of one of more of your trees. Hiring an arborist is like going to the doctor and your trees can be diagnosed early on to avoid later trouble. If any of your trees are dead they will have to be removed. Small trees can usually be removed without the help of a professional. Medium and large sized trees should always be removed by a professional, never undertake this task yourself. A certified tree care specialist can help you care for and remove trees when necessary.

Removing large trees takes a lot of careful calculation to avoid property damage, injury, and loss of life. After the tree is removed the stump should be dug up and the hole filled. You can cover the hole with grass seed and water every 2-3 days if you want grass to come back. If you plan on using the space for gardening make sure you fertilize and allow time for the new soil to settle. With routine inspection and the help of an arborist you can have beautiful, healthy trees that last a lifetime.