Signs Your Tree Needs Care

Trees in your yard, like flowers and shrubs, need care and maintenance to stay healthy. In a forest, the trees, plants, and fungi work together as a complex system. In your yard, trees are alone and sometimes need assistance. A healthy tree looks good, yes, but it also ensures safety. An unhealthy or dying tree can drop branches or fall on your home in a storm if sufficiently weakened. Here are some things to watch for when monitoring the health of the trees around your property.

Excessive Leaning and Ground Heaving

A leaning tree isn’t necessarily bad if it’s on a gradual lean. However, if you notice a tree’s lean is worsened after a storm or strong wind, this is a sign that the root system or trunk has been weakened. The raised ground around the tree is another sign of a weakened and stressed root system. For mature, large trees, this can lead to the death of the tree. The tree, in this case, should likely be removed since another big storm could topple it.

If the lean is subtle or develops over time, monitor the tree for changes.

Fungi

Some fungi are beneficial to a tree, but others can be a sign that a tree is sick. If you notice mushrooms around the base of the tree, it can be a sign of rot within the trunk or root system. As this rot extends through the tree, it will affect the strength of the tree.

Dead Branches

A lack of leaves, brittle branches, and dry bark are all signs of a dead branch. A few dead or dying branches are typical on a tree and can be dealt with through pruning. If, however, you notice an increasing amount of dead branches, this is a sign of a sick tree. Dead branches should be trimmed away for safety reasons since they can fall without warning, potentially causing injury or damage.

Few Returning Leaves

For deciduous (leafy) trees that you suspect may be ill, keep an eye on new leaf growth in the spring. If few leaves return, leaving many branches without leaves, this is a sure sign the tree is dying. By this point, you will have likely already suspected the tree is not healthy. You can choose treatment or other options for dealing with this depending on the size of the tree. For small trees, you could try pruning away the dead growth and monitoring the tree’s health through the summer. For larger trees, because it is already well on their way to dying, removal may be the best option.

What to Do

A sick tree can sometimes be brought back to health, depending on the severity of the problem. In the case of dead branches, pruning can often provide a solution. In other instances, fertilizer can provide the nutrients required to bring the tree back to health. Sometimes you may find that the damage is too extensive, and the tree can’t be saved. In these cases, removal may be the safest option.

Legacy Tree Company is a tree service company in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that is raising the standard for innovative, ethical tree care. Its mission is to sustain the Albuquerque urban forest for generations with services like tree trimming & pruning, tree & stump removal, tree bracing & cabling, tree planting, consultations, and tree irrigation. Click here to contact us via our online form, or give us a call at (505) 312-8865.

Contact:
Legacy Tree Company
100 El Pueblo Rd NW Unit A
Albuquerque, NM
(505) 312-8865