You don’t want to be surprised by problems that “suddenly” crop up with your trees. But a little attention to your trees on a day-to-day basis can alert you to small signs of tree health problems before they become major issues.
Dead Branches
Weak, damaged, broken, or diseased-looking branches are the arboreal equivalent of a cry for help. If you notice one (or more) of your trees’ branches seem to not be doing as well as its compatriots, you should investigate immediately. Sometimes, a broken branch is just a sign of incidental damage (from wind, ice, or other circumstances). But it’s always worth looking into, because tree branches should normally be robust, even in challenging weather conditions.
Discolored Leaves
Browning or yellowing leaves, leaves with discolored spots, or leaves that look or feel unusually dry can be a sign of the beginning of tree illness or damage. In the simplest case, leaves can become slightly yellow, wilted, or brittle when conditions have been drier than usual. In this case, leaf discoloration can be solved with some extra deep watering for your tree. But changes in leaf color (not in the fall when it’s normal for leaves to change color before falling off) can be a sign of bigger problems, and if it isn’t related to hydration, you should call your local tree service to get their input.
Peeling or Damaged Bark
Your tree’s bark is its main line of defense against the elements and against harm from pests. If you notice problems with your tree’s bark, this should be considered an urgent problem that needs attention. A few species of trees (such as birch and sycamore) do shed their bark as part of their natural life cycle, but in most cases, if the bark of your tree is cracked or peeling, or has holes, cankers, or anything that looks like a wound, it’s a sign of a significant health issue and warrants a call to your local tree service.
Fungal Growth
The sight of mold or fungi growing on a tree might feel perfectly normal – and, technically, it is, because molds and fungi do naturally occur on trees – it should be a cause for alarm. That’s because the naturally occurring molds and fungi crop up on trees as they are decomposing, not when they are thriving. So, although it is a natural part of a tree’s life cycle to be broken down by fungi and molds, and it is a perfectly typical thing to see when walking through a forest, it should not be considered perfectly fine in your yard. If your tree appears to be home to mold or fungal growth, its health has already been compromised and you should seek out professional arboreal help as soon as is practical.
Pests
This is a tricky one, because there’s a significant difference between your tree hosting a variety of insect species and your tree being invaded by pests, and it can be hard to tell the difference in some cases. It’s normal for insects to visit your trees (if your trees have flowers or bear fruit, then it’s actually essential that they are visited by pollinators), but the difference generally comes down to whether the creatures that have made their home in your tree can co-exist peacefully with your tree in a healthy state, or if they will consume your tree, leaving it depleted of resources, or sometimes completely dead. The other points in this post can actually point you to the difference – if your tree seems to be home to some creepy, crawly critters, but otherwise is green, leafy, and robust, with strong and healthy branches, then the visiting insects are probably safe. If you notice an abundance of bugs on your tree, however, in conjunction with any of the other signs of tree health issues you see here, then you might have a problem. Always consult with a tree service professional if you’re concerned or uncertain.
Early Leaf Loss
Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the autumn, and the exact timing of the change in color and loss of leaves varies due to the type of tree, the climate in your area, and even recent (and not so recent) weather conditions. But as mentioned above, when leaves change color or drop off at the wrong time of year, it’s a cause for concern. Leaves are the mechanism by which trees convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into food for the tree, so when the leaves are gone, your tree is not thriving. In the autumn, this is a naturally part of the tree’s annual dormant phase, but lacking leaves during the growing season can seriously harm your tree. If the leaves on your tree are dropping too soon, call in an expert to take a look.
Stunted Growth
This applies more to young trees than to mature ones, but if you notice that your tree isn’t growing the way that it should – either not as tall or as fully as it should, or, if it is planted near other trees of the same variety, not as well as the others around it – you should pay attention to this. You might notice that your tree has fewer leaves than in previous years, or fewer flowers or less fruit than is typical for it. In these cases, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at your tree, and maybe ask for the opinion of a tree service professional.
By paying attention to these signs, you can spot problems with your trees early enough to address them. Call in a local tree service provider when you’re not sure how to proceed. If you’re here in Cincinnati, we’re happy to help! Whatever problems you might spot with your trees, we’re always happy to take a look and see if we can help. When your trees are happy, we’re happy!
