Signs That Your Trees are Sick

On March 1, 2012

Trees can’t talk, so if you want to keep on top of your tree’s health and happiness, you are going to need to be able to watch for signs. Your tree will always tell you if they are sick or struggling, so get to know your tree and make sure you are giving it everything it needs to thrive. The following are some common signs that point to a tree being sick:

Discolouration of leaves

One of the easiest ways to tell if your tree is sick by looking at the colour of its leaves. If they are turning yellow, brown, or have dots or splotches forming on them, they are stressed and need attention.

Leaf size

If a tree starts to become stressed, it will often reduce its leaf size as a way of saving energy for dealing with whatever problem it is dealing with. If you are unsure what size your tree’s leaves should be, check online, and if your tree’s leaves seem to be shrinking, call for the tree doctor.

Cracks in the trunk or limbs

This phenomenon is caused by large fluctuations in the temperature, meaning there really isn’t much that you can do about it. If your tree is native to the area, it should be fine, though if not, it might not be the right conditions for your tree to grow in.

Gets leaves late and loses leaves early

If your tree takes longer than others to get all of its leaves in the spring, and loses them before other trees in the autumn, your tree is not healthy and happy. Look up your tree type online and research what it needs to be healthy. You may just need to do something simple to get your tree looking great again.

Presence of insects and caterpillars

Some insects have symbiotic relationships with some trees; though if you see little critters, keep an eye out for any damage they may be causing. You may have to spend some time watching the insects to establish if they are friend or foe; a better option than assuming that nothing is wrong, as they may be killing your tree.

Mushrooms

Fungi break down whatever they grow on, so if you start to notice mushrooms growing around the base of your tree, call an arborist. The only trees that are good to have mushrooms growing on them are dead ones, so if you see mushrooms on your tree, the time to act is now.

Bleeding sap

If there is sap bleeding from your tree, it is losing lots of nutrients, and this is a sure sign that all is not well. It can mean your tree has a disease, fungus or other type of problem, so you are best to have them checked out.

Knowing your trees signs will make it easier for you to be able to care for them properly, so educate yourself, and learn about your trees. Trees really do a huge amount for our health and our environment, so the least we can do is look out a little for their health.