Trees are living beings, and like other living beings, they can get sick, and even though there are trees that can live for centuries, they eventually pass away. Sometimes, it’s easy to tell if your tree is sick because the bark is peeling off and not being replaced or too many branches are lacking leaves when they should be leafing out. Other signs of a sick tree may be more subtle. They include:
- Leaves yellowing out of season
- Lots of dry, brown needles on conifers
- Patches of fuzz or mold
- Dead, drooping, or dying branches
Other signs that something is wrong with the tree are blemishes and spots either on the bark, the leaves, or any fruit that appears. These blemishes can be the result of insects or diseases caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Mushrooms growing out of the bark or around the roots is another sign that something is wrong.
If the inside of a twig is black or brown when you break it open, the twig has died. Other bad signs are flowers or shoots that turn black and something called “alcoholic slime flux,” a fluid with a sour smell that appears on the tree bark. A tree that leans more than 15 degrees from vertical has probably suffered damage from a windstorm or has damaged roots. Both types of damage can shorten the tree’s lifespan.
What Can Be Done If Your Tree Is Ailing?
At Charleston Stump Stompers, we know that there are several ways to deal with an ailing tree. Unfortunately, there are times when the tree simply needs to be taken down, especially if it’s at risk of falling on a structure, a vehicle, or utility wires. This is a job for a professional because taking down a large tree that is dead or dying is dangerous.
Other problems with a sick tree can be fixed. Your tree may not be getting enough water, or it may be getting too much water. The soil around its roots can be compacted and needs to be aerated. Sometimes, the dead branches on a tree need to be pruned, and this may be enough to revive the tree. Scheduling professional tree service is the best way to find out if your tree can be saved or if it needs to go.
Call Charleston Stump Stompers for Quality Tree Service
Charleston is a city known for the beauty of its old live oaks festooned with Spanish moss, its evergreen magnolias, and the lovely flowers of its crepe myrtles. If you have a beloved tree, young or old, that needs help or must regrettably be taken down, don’t hesitate to call our professionals at Charleston Stump Stompers today.
