Denver Tree Service Discusses How to Tell If a Tree Is Sick


Trees need food and nutrients—sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and soil—if they are to grow strong and robust. Trees are also susceptible to illness, but it can be difficult to tell when a tree is sick. Even if you are not a tree professional, you can still learn to recognize the signs that a tree is struggling. Then you’ll know when it’s time to call in a Denver tree service to take care of your tree.

To appraise a tree’s health, you have to make periodic checks and look at the tree’s branches, trunk, foliage, and roots (those that are above the ground) carefully. Knowing what to look for can help you identify any signs of deteriorating health.

Examine the Trunk and Bark of the Tree

If the tree’s trunk or bark shows any signs of damage, this can be a sign that the tree is decayed or rotted. Vertical cracks, in particular, often mean that a tree’s health is worsening.

Normally, when a tree starts to get older, the outer layer of bark falls off and is then replaced with a new layer of bark. But when a tree is in poor health, the outer layer of bark falls off but a new layer of bark is not regenerated.
Another reason to check the tree’s bark is to look for any sign of the growth of fungus. If you note large clusters of fungal material, this could mean the tree is suffering from internal rot. This also may mean that the entire tree structure is unstable. In this situation, you should call in a professional. The entire tree could easily topple over—harming a person or damaging a structure.

Check the Roots of the Tree

Since most of the tree’s roots are underground, you’ll have to focus on examining the roots that are above the surface. If any construction recently took place near the tree, this can also mean that the roots are damaged because of soil compaction. If you notice signs of small branches sprouting form the base trunk of the tree, this could also point to a tree that is enduring quite a bit of stress. Time to call in the pros to help determine whether the tree can be saved.

Look Over the Tree’s Branches

One sure sign of a tree that is suffering health-wise is a lack of leaves where they should be plentiful. Dead branches can also point to signs that the roots and trunk are in trouble.
Take a look at the twigs of the tree every once in a while as well. Snap one open to check the color inside. If there is a bright green color inside, this is a sign of a healthy tree. But a dull green color could point to a tree that is not healthy.

What You Should Do About a Sick Tree

Once you note that your tree has signs of illness, you need to find out what is wrong with the tree. If you are not an expert, you will probably not be able to figure this out without a professional tree service. Call the experts at Root Tree Service when you need a Denver tree service to diagnose what’s wrong with your tree and to recommend treatment. Contact us today!
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