Trees add charm and value to your yard. They shade your house and your neighbor’s houses too. You can enjoy their fruits and calm presence. However, they need your attention to thrive.
Some tree problems start slowly and usually go unnoticed. These small issues become huge, damaging trees permanently. Therefore, knowing common problems and how to prevent them can help you save these mighty yet beautiful trees.
Why Tree Problems Start Small
First, you need to understand why tree problems start small. Trees don’t get damaged overnight. Stressors like improper pruning techniques, diseases, root damage, and pests slowly eat away at them, and by the time the signs become apparent, most of the damage has already been done.
This is why you need to check your trees a few times a year. Check their leaves, branches, and bark to see if they are developing any issues. If so, hire tree care services.
Insect Pests and Diseases
Pests can weaken or even kill a tree from inside, particularly the emerald ash borer. This pest attacks only ash trees, damaging the tree. Infestation signs may include branch dieback, thinning canopy, and increased woodpecker activity. A proper tree health care check can help you identify and treat this infestation.
Apart from pests, various diseases, such as Oak wilt, can also damage your trees. It is a fungal condition caused by sap-feeding beetles. They move spores from infected oaks to the fresh wounds on healthy ones. The best way to prevent it is to prune at the right time. Many states don’t allow pruning in late spring and early summer to prevent this problem.
Improper Pruning and Topping
One of the main causes of tree damage is improper pruning and topping. Topping, which means cutting a tree’s large branches to stubs to reduce its size, is one of the most harmful pruning practices. It can remove 50 to 100 percent of a tree’s leaf-bearing crown, starving and weakening it.
Therefore, prune regularly when the branches are small because pruning large branches means large wounds that are harder for the trees to seal.
Over-Mulching Around the Trunk
While mulch is important, too much of it can damage trees. Mulching can preserve moisture around the tree, which can lead to bark decay, insects, and disease. Thick layers of mulch can also limit the oxygen and water from reaching the roots.
The recommended layer is around 2 to 4 inches deep, which is pulled back from the trunk so that the root flare stays visible. Moreover, avoid raising the soil level around mature trees to avoid oxygen reduction to the roots.
How Tree Health Care Prevents Problems Before They Spread
Tree health care means focusing on problems before they become a headache. Regular inspections, proper pruning and mulching, and watching for signs of pests and diseases can help you thwart the problem before it damages the tree. A yearly inspection is great for your trees’ health.
When to Hire Professional Tree Care Services
While you can handle some tasks, you should consider professional help for proper tree care. Leave large limbs and tall trees to experts rather than pruning improperly. Professionals can also detect issues and advise whether pruning, treatment, or tree removal is best.
