The Best Way to Check a Tree’s Health
You did your homework and considered your land’s features and climate before deciding on the trees for your growing habitat. Also, you have carefully planted your choices, following the species’ planting instructions, and diligently watered, pruned, and fertilized them as required. But even with the finest care, trees may go sick. Know what to check for when determining the health of your tree, or ask your local tree service experts to check the tree for you. These crucial indicators can guide you toward proper upkeep for many years to come.
Examine Annual Growth
Every year, a healthy tree will generate new growth on its branches and trunk. Check the distance between this season’s buds and those from the previous year to assess the progress each year (evidenced by scars on the branch). The proper growth differs by species, so consult your neighborhood garden center and become familiar with the requirements for your variety to know what to anticipate.
Tend to Bare Patches
Keep an eye out for any areas of your evergreen tree, such as pine, spruce, or hemlock, that become naked or without leaves. Lack of nutrients or water accessing certain branches, animal damage from eating the needles, inappropriate pruning techniques, pesticide damage, insect penetration from the pine beetle, bark beetle, or pine weevil, and diseases like canker, rust, or shoestring disease are common causes of bare patches.
Recognize the Illness Symptoms
Poor tree health may be caused by insects or disease if your care procedures are top-notch. Visible insects, a lack of fruit or blooms on a fruit tree, deformed leaves, holes in the bark, crooked branch development, and sap seeping on evergreens are all warning indications of either invasion.
Pruning Damaged or Dead Branches
Every year, trim any dead or damaged branches as soon as you notice them. Leavened dead branches serve as a welcome mat for pests and illnesses. Using your thumbnail, lightly scrape any doubtful branches. Dead branches will appear brown below while living branches will be green. Bending the branches slightly is another way to test them. A living branch will be flexible and will bend with ease. With more force, dead branches will break.
Cut Rite Forestry offers world-class tree service and other solutions for our customers in Flagstaff, AZ. Be sure to contact our experts at (928) 853-9812 today!