You've probably looked at your tree recently and wondered, "It looked a lot better a few years ago". This can raise concerns about it needing removed.
Before sentencing your tree to a sure death, consider that your tree might be experiencing some of these common problems that can be corrected if caught early.
Pest problems
Certain tree species have certain bugs that are more attracted to your tree than others. Some insects can rapidly defoliate your tree in a matter of days. For example a "Elm leaf beetle" will quickly defoliate a elm tree late in the summer season. This on its own will not kill the tree but rather weaken it, and predispose the tree to other problems.
Environmental stress
Trees can exhibit signs of sickness due to environmental stressors such as drought, excessive heat, extreme cold, air pollution, or soil compaction. These stressors can weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to diseases and pests.
Nutrient deficiency
Lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium can cause yellowing of leaves, stunted growth, and overall poor health in trees. Also low organic matter in your soil can also be contributing to a trees slow decline.
Root problems
Several factors may contribute to a tree appearing unhealthy. Improper planting techniques, such as burying the tree too deeply, failing to spread out the roots upon installation, or leaving burlap or container materials intact, can result in the development of stem-girdling roots. These roots constrict sap flow or hinder proper root growth, thereby impeding the tree's ability to establish itself and thrive.
External factors like new construction, soil compaction, or root rot can damage a tree's root system. This damage compromises the tree's capacity to uptake water and essential nutrients, resulting in your tree looking sick!
What can you do about to improve your trees health
If you believe your tree has some of these problems or just want to keep it healthy, feel free to try some of these recommendations (Perform at your own risk).
1. Mulch your trees!
This is the number 1 piece of advice any Certified Arborist will give you. Spread a thin a layer of composted wood chips over your trees root flare.
Wood chips help by:
Slowly releasing nutrients into your soil.
Acts as a insulator and keep your soil below cool.
Protects from mower injury
Suppresses weed growth (Does not eliminate weed growth)
Caution! Landscapers LOVE ❤️ mulch volcanoes
Mulch volcanoes are bad for your trees as they lock moisture on your tree's bark that wants to stay dry and causes potential for fungal problems.
Mulch volcanoes also restrict oxygen from getting to your trees roots. Yes, tree roots do need oxygen to survive.
Mulch volcanoes welcome pests as these large mounds provide shelter and warmth.
2. Water when dry
Mature trees can use a hand by watering. Younger trees will greatly benefit more from water!
A easy way to tell if your tree needs some watering is by checking the leaves if they look wilted. It's easy to tell, they will look very sad :(
Another tell tale sign is look at your own yard. If your grass or your neighbors grass looks yellowish, it might be a good idea to give your tree a good soaking (Do not water the canopy, water the roots!)
When watering, you want to make sure water is actually seeping deep down into the ground, that's why a slow trickle for a few minutes is ideal as this ensures water is getting deep down to your trees fine absorbing roots. Set your hose down a foot away from your trees trunk and put a 10-15 minutes timer. This will be sufficient for your tree.
Be careful not to drown your trees either lol, as this can be just as bad as your tree not getting enough water. Mature trees will require less frequent watering, and newly installed trees will require much more frequent watering. Young sapling can greatly benefit from watering bags as these will ensure your tree gets sufficient water.
3. Prune only if necessary
Bought a shiny chainsaw or loppers and can't wait to go to town on your tree? Careful! Only prune if it is actually necessary! Any time you prune, you want to make sure it's with a purpose as you will be intentionally injuring your tree. You want to make sure your tree can tolerate the haircut your giving it.
Some tree pruning purposes could be pruning for:
Clearance
Aesthetics
Improving growth structure
Improving health by removing dead branches
And please, do not top your tree. No tree deserves to be topped. Topping causes poor branch structure, long term maintenance, canopy die back, poor health. There's better ways to prune a tree, I'm happy to talk with you on the phone to explore better pruning options than topping.
Before considering removing your tree, give it a good look and see if your tree is experiencing some of these problems. A dead tree is obvious, no amount of TLC will bring it back unfortunately.
If you have any doubts or concerns reach out to a ISA Certified Arborist. You can look one up on treesaregood.org. Feel free to reach out here at JP Tree Care, we're always happy to help anyone with any tree concerns here in the Pittsburgh area.
-Jose 🌳⛑️
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