Trees featuring lush and verdant canopies can make outdoor living areas more enjoyable and enhance the appearance of your home. However, they may occasionally develop problems that diminish their health and beauty. In some cases, they can become structurally weak and present fall hazards. Below, you'll learn more about how to identify a dying tree and what a professional tree service can do to help.
Signs of a Dying Tree
Deadwood consists of dry and brittle branches that may break off easily, especially during storms. Trees may develop deadwood as a result of fungal diseases that rot and hollow out limbs. This can also happen when insects infest and suck sap from limbs or a tree becomes severely dehydrated. Numerous dead branches are a common sign of a declining tree.
Root rot is a disease that occurs when pathogenic fungi, such as armillaria, grow on roots. This often happens when roots become too moist, creating a favorable environment for harmful spores to reproduce. This illness causes roots to decay and may spread to the heartwood, leaving cracks in the bark and causing mushrooms to grow along the trunk.
Trees can develop a natural lean in an attempt to absorb more sunlight, which they use for creating energy during photosynthesis. However, they may also lean when their roots become damaged as a result of excavation or harsh impacts. When this happens, the tree may become partially uprooted, preventing it from accessing water and nutrients. In addition to leaning, it may defoliate and dry out.
How to Help It Recover
A professional tree service may remove deadwood to encourage the growth of new branches and help the tree recover. Additionally, they may trim pest-infested branches to eliminate destructive insects and bring the tree back to health.
You can also adjust irrigation to ensure the tree remains properly hydrated. Using a screwdriver, dig a small hole several inches into the soil near a dying tree. If the earth is damp, allow it to dry out before watering again. This can prevent rot diseases from worsening or spreading to nearby foliage. If the soil is dry, irrigating more frequently may help the tree grow strong limbs and prevent more deadwood from developing.
When to Seek Professional Removal
If a tree continues to decline, an arborist may need to remove it. A dead tree often becomes structurally unsound, putting it at risk of falling onto anything in its path. You can promote safety and prevent property damages by allowing a tree service to cut down declining species.
Additionally, they may provide stump grinding to improve the appearance of your property and leave a smooth surface for outdoor recreation.
If you have a dying tree, contact Travis Monk Tree Service. This arborist provides professional tree services, including cutting, removal, and stump grinding, to clients throughout Milton, PA. Call (570) 490-4634 to book an appointment for tree removal, and visit the website to find out how they can keep your outdoor areas safe, healthy, and beautiful.