Trees can live for dozens of years and often outlive humans.
The hardy varieties, such as bristlecone pine and giant redwood, for instance, can live for hundreds of years.
On the other hand, trees that have shorter lifespans, which include palms, persimmon, and black willow, can live for 50 to 60 years.
But even if trees can outlive humans, it doesn’t mean that they can stay healthy all their life. They are also prone to damage and various diseases, which can cause them to die prematurely.
How to Know if Your Tree is Diseased or Dying
Providers of tree services in Midlothian, Virginia say that knowing the usual signs that indicate your plant is diseased or dying can help you nurse it back to health. Moreover, you can help prevent it from meeting an early end.
Below are the common signs that indicate you have an unhealthy tree:
Cracks, cankers, and splits on the trunk
Numerous cracks and cavities that go deeper than the bark often indicate a structural problem. These are the most obvious signs that a tree is sick and can be dangerous to have on your property.
While looking for these signs on the trunk, check around the base as well. If the soil around the base is cracked or raised and the tree is leaning, it may be starting to uproot.
These signs should give you cause for concern since the tree may fall. It is best to call in experts to look at it and see if it can still be saved. Working with Riverside tree care experts is the best way to determining the health of your tree and what steps you need to take in order to save your tree
Deadwood
Deadwood are branches that do not have leaves or leaves that are brown, or pine needles for pine trees.
They are usually a normal part of the tree canopy. However, if there are some in the lower areas, it can be a sign that the plant is under stress and sick.
Dead branch tips suggest the start of deadwood as well.
Deadwood breaks easily, especially during a storm or under extremely windy conditions. It can fall and injure anyone under the tree when the branch snaps.
It can also cause further damage to the tree itself. Deadwood absorbs more water, which can lead to the growth and spread of fungus, molds, and decay.
Whether you need to confirm that a tree has deadwood or want to remove them, let a professional handle these tasks. The Local Tree Experts are your best bet and you will greatly benefit from their knowledge and experience in order to make the right choice.
Weak branch connections
Weak branch union is a term that pertains to an area of a branch that is not securely attached to the tree.
This condition occurs when the bark is not as strong as the wood, thereby weakening the connection between the branches and trunk. This is often caused by two branches growing too close to each other, allowing bark to grow between them.
If some branches do not appear to be strongly connected to the bark, you will do well to call a tree service professional to determine a solution. This is because even if the tree is unhealthy, the provider will be able to strengthen the connections.
Discolored and stained leaves
Leaves change their color during fall, which is a great thing to see. However, if there are spots, mottling leaves, and other unexplained changes, your tree may already have a few problems.
Discolored leaves often indicate that a plant has a disease or it is not receiving sufficient water, sunlight, or the other nutrients it needs for photosynthesis and the production of leaves.
Yellow, red, or brown leaves on evergreen trees also denote that the branches are sick or dying and have to be inspected by an arborist.
Presence of fungus
Fungal disease is one of the top causes of tree decay and death.
A tree can get this disease through airborne fungal spores or the transfer of fungi from another infected plant.
If the fungi spread throughout the plant and attack the root system, they can cause it to decay from the inside.
Signs of a fungal disease include the formation of a white substance when you break off a piece of the bark and the presence of mushroom or bracket fungi on the trunk of branches.
If the wood behind the fungoid growth is soft and crumbly, it is best to call specialists immediately. It is highly likely that fungus has already been festering for some time.
Fungi is one of the toughest problems trees can be afflicted with. As such, always be on the lookout for signs of its growth to prevent its spread and the damage it can cause to your plants.
Presence of pests
Fungi are not the only enemy that trees have to contend with. There are plenty of pests that can damage your plants, too.
There are three main types of insects that can damage a tree severely. These are:
Chewing pests
Leaf beetles, winter moths, tent caterpillars, and webworms are some examples of chewing insects. They eat leaves or needles voraciously, thus leaving the tree unsightly and unhealthy.
If left alone, the repeated loss of leaf surface and a severe infestation can reduce the plant’s ability to grow and even cause it to die.
Your tree likely has chewing pests if you see holes in the leaves, the complete removal of leaf tissues, and loss of leaves, even if it is not fall.
Sucking pests
Some insects live by sucking nutrients and sap from plants. This variety of pests is extremely small, making them hard to detect. Because of this, their population can balloon over time.
Examples of sucking pests are aphids, mites, and whiteflies.
Some signs that indicate your tree has these insects are premature leaf or needle drop, withered leaves, and sooty mold coating on the leaves, branches, and twigs.
Boring pests
The Asian long-horned beetle, bark beetle, emerald ash borer, and weevil are the most destructive insects that can destroy ornamental trees and shrubs. They can tunnel inside the tree and feed on the inner bark.
The internal damage makes it difficult for the tree to transport water and nutrients and, as a result, it will eventually die.
Some signs that indicate boring insects are killing your tree are the unexplainable loss of leaves, exit holes on the branches and trunk, and sawdust-like debris around the plant.
Although your trees may have one or more of these signs, it does not mean that you have to get rid of it immediately. Have a tree professional check it first and find out if it can be treated.
If there is no way of reviving the plant, enlist the service of a tree removal service provider in Chesterfield, Virginia immediately to get rid of it properly and safely. Doing so ensures you have a safe property, and prevents accidents from happening.