Trees are such a lovely addition to your property, but sometimes it’s difficult to determine if a tree is sick, especially if you arent very knowledgeable about trees and have no idea what to look for. There are several common symptoms that a tree is sick or unhealthy, some of which include:
1. The Tree is Leaning
Sometimes trees lean because they’ve gotten really tall and naturally grew that way. However, if you notice your tree is suddenly leaning, especially drastically, it’s crucial that you call an arborist right away to come take care of it. If it’s near your home or a road, it could possibly fall and cause injury or damage.
A leaning tree is a sign that the roots are damaged and the tree is no longer stable. There are several roots issues that could cause this, but as they’re underground, it’s impossible to see.
2. The Tree Has Dead or Broken Branches
Dead or broken branches are a main indicator of a sick tree. This symptom is one that you’ll probably be able to notice right away. The branches could be broken if you’ve recently had a strong storm. However, if this isn’t the case, you most likely have a tree with internal decay and it needs to be seen by an arborist as soon as possible.
3. The Tree Has Epicormic Growth
Epicormic growth is when the tree begins sprouting branches around the middle or bottom of the tree. This can be due to a number of reasons, however, usually epicormic growth is seen in trees that are stressed and sick. This is easy to spot because branches will sprout just a few feet off the ground, which is very abnormal.
4. The Tree Has a Thinning Canopy
A clear sign on a sick tree is when your trees leaves look sparse, eaten, or are changing colors when they’re not supposed to. A trees leaves change color through the seasons, but if the leaves are changing during the wrong season, something is up. It would be best to call an arborist who can come out look at it or give you some professional advice and treatment options.
Among the many signs and symptoms of an unhealthy tree, dead or broken branches and epicormic growth are the most noticeable. However, a leaning tree or a thinning canopy or just as important to watch for.
