Is your tree sick? – Look for its signs and symptoms

Trees are one of the useful things in this world. Not only they provide food and shelter, but also provide many commercially useful things like rubber and latex. They also help in purifying the air by releasing oxygen. Their presence not only creates an aesthetic environment but also increases the property value.  However, there are times when the tree becomes stressed and sick.  This can be due to many reasons. Then you need to seek the help of Arborist Toronto to save your tree and save the environment.  Here are some symptoms of a sick tree:

  1. Flaky, brittle bark.
  2. Rotten and broken branches
  3. Frequently falling leaves in a large number
  4. Too many insects on the branches and trunk.
  5. Lifeless leaves still attached to the branches.
  6. Fungal growth at the base of the tree and bark indicates sick roots
  7. Discolored leaves before the fall season.
  8. Shriveled leaves before the fall season
  9. Branches without bark or leaves on them
  10. Holes, cracks, and wound on the trunk
  11. Soft feeling roots.

Other common tree problems:

  1. Dark spots on leaves, odd colors and distorted shape of leaves
  2. Insect attack in spring or summer
  3. Trees having left only one side with leaves
  4. Unstable structure of a tree

Why does a tree die suddenly?

Every species of a tree has a particular life span. A tree can die suddenly within a few weeks. Few common reasons are:

1)    Drought

2)    Amarilla root rot

3)    Excessive pruning making the tree susceptible to diseases

4)    Overwatering

5)    Diseased tree

6)    Insect attack

How to check the signs of a sick and dying tree?

  1. Examine leaves: In case of leaves falling off in large numbers before fall season or else leaf not dropping off at all but shriveled or discolored, then the tree is sick.
  2. Look at the branches: If the branches are falling more than usual even in the absence of strong winds or storm, then this is the sign of a sick tree. These fallen branches will not have leaves but are damaged and rotten or attacked by the insects.
  3. Observe the trunk: Trunk should not have dents, cracks or holes on them.
  4. Observe the bark: A sick tree has a scratchy, brittle bark that falls off frequently. There may be bald spots on the bark also.
  5. Check for root infection: Fungal growth on the base of the tree is a sign of root infection.

Steps to be taken to save a dying tree:

1)    Nourish the tree at regular intervals.

2)    Don’t overwater.

3)    Prevent overuse of composite matter.

4)    Don’t over prune it.

Call a specialist:

Sometimes, the infection on the tree is noticed too late before anything can be done to save it. You should hire a professional Arborist Toronto and take their services at regular intervals. Usually, an arborist is an expert who can check for the sickness on the tree at the right time and can save it from dying.