Mature, healthy trees can add significant value to a property. They add visual appeal to the landscape, create shade for people, provide habitat for beneficial animals, and some even produce fruit or nuts for human consumption. The problem is, trees don’t stay healthy all by themselves.
It can take a good deal of work to keep trees looking their best. Unless homeowners have experience with pruning, pest control, and other aspects of tree maintenance, it’s best to call an arborist who can perform that work efficiently and effectively. Homeowners can read on to find out about the key signs it’s time to enlist the help of a tree care professional.
Dead, Dying, or Damaged Branches
If there are dead, dying, or damaged branches on a tree, leaving them in place can create entry points for pests, fungi, and bacteria, all of which can damage otherwise healthy trees. Pruning branches that are no longer serving a purpose for the tree and may contribute to other problems is a job for tree maintenance services. Removing large branches can be hazardous to people and nearby structures if it isn’t done correctly, and even pruning small branches can harm the tree if well-meaning but untrained homeowners get any part of the process wrong.
Signs of Fungal Infection
Fungi play many essential roles in local ecosystems, and some even support tree health. However, not all fungi are good for trees, and many species colonize otherwise healthy or marginally damaged specimens, causing them to get sick and eventually die. Signs of potentially damaging fungal infections can include mushrooms growing out of the bark or roots, canopy dieback, discolored or spotted leaves, and long, ropy rhizomorphs on or in the roots.
Pest Problems
It’s not abnormal to see minor insect damage to a tree’s leaves. If the damage is localized and doesn’t seem to be spreading, there’s nothing to worry about. If, on the other hand, the damage is substantial and continues to expand every day, whether it’s in the presence or absence of visible insects, that’s a sure sign of a pest infestation.
Other signs of pest problems include spots on leaves, leaf discoloration and early death, and visible tents or cocoons, especially near the crotches of branches. The longer a homeowner waits to call an arborist about pest problems, the more likely it becomes that the tree will succumb to the infestation and that it will infect other nearby specimens. Call as soon as pest problems appear to maximize the chances of getting rid of problematic insects.
Call an Expert
Many homeowners enjoy spending time outside gardening, tending to flowers, and making sure other landscape plants look their best. When it comes to ornamental trees, though, it’s much smarter to leave the work to the professionals. Using improper pruning techniques, the wrong pesticide or fungicide, or even applying too much or too little fertilizer and mulch to a young tree can all cause serious and often irreparable problems. It’s not worth the risk.
