Is My Tree Asking For Help?

The signs of a tree that needs help are obvious to me. But then again, I stare at them all day, every day. I guess thats what makes me good at my job. I care about trees and the little things that make a big difference to their health. But like it was pointed out to me by a friend, “Not everyone looks at trees the way you do.” Sometimes, I have to remind myself that, when discussing tree issues or even pointing knowing the difference between a maple and an ash tree. So, here are 4 easy things you can look for that are clear signs that your tree needs help and is stressed out.

Yellow leaves or Needles

This picture shows the start of Iron Chlorosis on a silver maple. As the problem worsens the area between the veins will get a lighter shade of yellow.

A tree with leaves or needles that are not as green as they should be could be a sign of a problem. If you have a tree with leaves that look like the one in the picture, it is a sign that the tree is asking for help. This is just one potential problem with yellow leaves, but a very common one for maples and birch trees in our area.

Thin Canopy

Healthy trees should have a canopy full of leaves and needles. Especially spruce trees (short needled evergreens). Thinning needles are likely from stress and the resulting attack of fungi to the interior needles.

Deciduous trees (leaf droppers in the fall) can also have thinner than normal canopies, but they’re a little harder to spot. For the most part, if you can see through them really well in the

A spruce with yellowing needles and a thin canopy. A clear sign of stress and a need for help.

summer, then its likely they are thinner than normal. A thinning crown can mean a number of issues, but it is a sign of stress and a call for help.

Tip Dieback

A very tell tale sign that your trees is in serious need of help is dieback at the very tips of the branches and at the top of the tree. Typically, this is a sign of severe stress and insect attack, but it can also be a sign or severe root system stress. Either way, it is a sign that your tree needs attention right away.

Early Leaf Drop

If you have a tree that starts the fall color of all, to most of its leaves (especially the top and outer leaves) before that first hard frost in September or early October, then it is a sign of a serious problem. It usually relates to a root system issue and if not corrected will just get worse and likely kill the tree.

If you are interested in keeping you landscape investments healthy and growing great, but aren’t sure what to look for, look for any of these 4 things that frequent most sick trees. The earlier on you can catch a potential problem with a tree, the easier it is for me to “fix” and get your tree back on track to staying healthy.