From oxygen to fruit to natural beauty, trees are an important part of our everyday lives. That’s why it’s no surprise we have a stronger connection to them compared to many other things on this planet. While the death of a flower may go unnoticed, the death of a tree is something we mourn. However, just like all living things, trees get sick and die over time. That’s why it’s important to look out for the following signs that can indicate a sick or dying tree, and give the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care a call to see what services you need to remedy the situation.
Signs Of A Dying Tree
There are many signs to look out for that may indicate a sick or dying tree.
Leaves
Trees are known to lose their leaves during the fall and winter months. A good sign that a tree is sick or dying is if it drops its leaves or if its leaves turn brown and brittle during the spring and summer months. Yellow leaves are another indication of a problem. If a tree is sick, it’s leaves may also turn red or brown.
Scheduling routine inspections will go a long way toward ensuring the health and proper growth of your trees. As with anything, early detection is key. If you notice a lack or discoloration of leaves, it’s important to contact the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care for an inspection to evaluate the overall growth, health, and integrity of a tree based on its type, size, location and overall appearance.
Branches
Branches without bark usually indicate deadwood. This can create a hazardous situation because deadwood can fall unexpectedly at any time without regard to people or property below. Fungus may also grow on dead branches. If you spot fungus, it is a good sign that a branch is dead. Wood boring insects will also infest areas of deadwood. Disease from dead branches can also spread to other areas of a sick tree.
At Westcoast Tree Care, our Portland tree care services include the pruning and removal of diseased, broken or dead branches. This promotes the overall health of a tree by removing disease, infestation or decay while eliminating its ability to penetrate and affect other areas of a tree.
Bark
When bark starts to peel or fall off a tree this is usually a good indication of disease, fungus or wood-boring insects like the Emerald Ash Borer. The presence of missing bark can also be caused by things like weed eaters or environmental conditions that make a tree highly vulnerable to bacteria, disease or fungus.
While brittle or peeling bark may not be enough to warrant the removal of an entire tree, it’s important to have a preventative tree care inspection done by the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care to see what measures may need to be taken to protect the health of your tree.
Trunk
A hollow or spongy trunk is usually a sign of decay. When a tree starts to die, it will start to break down by means of fungal decomposition. Signs to look out for include mushrooms, cavities, insect damage, dead branches and soft, breakable wood. It is especially important to have a certified arborists assess a tree if you spot mushrooms on its trunk or around its base.
While decay may not automatically render it unsafe, it’s important to have a preventative tree care inspection done by the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care to make sure it is relatively healthy and safe from failure. Keep in mind, however, that if a tree is showing excessive signs of decay, an emergency tree care removal may be necessary to prevent damage to your home or property.
Roots
While harder to spot than any other hazardous tree sign, root damage or decay can render a tree unsafe. Signs to look out for include mounds or bulging in the soil around the base of the tree, visible dead and rotting roots, an increased lean or a decline in the tree canopy. It’s also a good idea to inspect your tree for mushrooms or other fungi around its base. In either case, it’s important to consult with the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care to figure out the best course of action.
What to Do for a Sick Tree
If you spot any of these signs of a sick or dying tree, the best thing you can do is contact the certified arborist at Westcoast Tree Care. We specialize in diagnosing sick trees and can provide you with a variety of services to protect the safety and integrity of your beloved Portland trees. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible solution for your trees while keeping the safety of your property and loved ones in mind. Preventative tree care and excellent customer service our top two priorities.
If you suspect your tree may be diseased, damaged or dying, contact us at 1.800.767.8733. Our certified arborist can help diagnose a variety of tree care problems and answer any question you may have. We will also provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation quote for any of our preventative tree care services.
