Tree Health Signs and Warnings

tree health signs

Trees can bring a sense of beauty to any yard. In addition to beauty, they are an essential part of our environment. They offer shade in the heat of summer and a buffer for the wind in the winter. Trees help to keep the air clean and provide shelter for local wildlife. Mature trees also have the added benefit of increasing both curb appeal and property values as long as the tree is healthy. One thing many homeowners overlook is tree health signs.

Signs Your Tree May Not Be In Good Health

If you are not sure if your trees are sick or healthy, it is a good idea to have a tree care specialist evaluate your trees. In the meantime, we have created a list of tree health signs that may mean your tree is in distress or is doing well.

Signs of a Healthy Tree

When your tree is healthy, it will have a single leader in the center. This main trunk will help to maintain the form and strength of the entire tree. Regardless of their age, it is important trees produce new growth yearly. Make sure to check your trees once or twice a year for evidence of this growth pattern. You can check scars on the branch or even measure points on the tree. Keep in mind that different species will grow at different rates, but they all grow to some extent every year.

You can tell a lot about the health of a tree by its bark and its branches. The bark of a healthy tree won’t have any loose or peeling areas along the trunk or branches. There should be full branches, and they should bend when pressure is applied instead of snapping easily. The leaves on the branches should be healthy, vibrant, and have the right shape for the season. The same holds true for evergreen needles.

Signs That Your Tree May Be Unhealthy

Spotting a sick or ailing tree is much easier than you may think. A healthy tree offers a certain vibrancy that unhealthy trees naturally lack. If you notice that your tree has wilting limbs and dead and broken branches, chances are there is something amiss. Trees that have holes, cracks, or pits in the trunk or limbs are likely in distress. This type of damage may be caused by a local pest, or it could be a result of a tree disease or fungus.

Bare Patches and Missing Leaves

Bare patches on the bark is always a sign that there is something wrong. The bark is the first line of defense for a tree, if it has been compromised, your tree is in danger. If your branches are broken and losing leaves unseasonably, it is a sure sign of a tree illness. Leaves that have a strange size, shape, or color are also warning signs of a sick tree. Holes in the leaves are generally caused by funguses, depending on the type and the species of tree, this can be treated or it may mean that your tree can’t be saved.

Insects and Storm Damage

Even a healthy tree can fall victim to insects or storm damage. Visible pests on your trees is a sign of infestation. It is important to speak with a tree care specialist to see if the infestation can be treated without harming the tree. Oozing sap and deep cracks in the trunk however are signs that the heart of the tree is in serious danger or perhaps already rotted. In this case, you will either need to remove the tree or find another alternative.

Visible Roots

The roots are the most important part of the tree. They ensure your tree gets both moisture and nutrients from the surrounding soil. If there is a problem in the roots, there is no way for the tree to survive. Often, a tree can look healthy while the roots under the ground are in distress. Make sure to check the ground around the tree for cracks in the mud, pests that have burrowed under the roots, or rot in the roots.

Taking Care of the Trees on Your Property

Regular pruning and maintenance are important for the health of your trees. Not only can damaged trees cause a threat to your property, but it can also be a hazard for your family. The last thing you want to experience is a dead tree falling over onto your property or your neighbors home. The best way for dealing with this is to correctly maintain your trees.

A professional tree care service will be able to prune and assess your trees on a regular basis. If there is a problem, they will be able to take steps to save your tree before it’s too late. As a last resort, if your trees can’t be saved, a professional tree care service can safely remove them from your property.

Omaha Tree Services

At Omaha Tree, we recycle all of our wood waste material from the trees we trim and remove in the greater Omaha metro area. The wood waste material is brought back to our 8-acre site at 3606 McKinley Street, where it is processed into a beautiful & consistent mulch product that is local, fresh, and clean. Contact us today.