The Most Common Tree Problems Homeowners Face

These are the most common tree problems homeowners face that the local tree service firm, Mr. Tree Service of Fairfield, will discuss.

Common Tree Issues for Homeowners

Having a beautifully manicured yard is something many homeowners work hard to achieve each year.  While taking care of the annuals and perennials and giving the hedges a healthy trim, don’t forget to check on your trees regularly as well.  

Trees can come under attack in different ways, which makes regular maintenance and examination important.  The sooner a problem is noticed and addressed, the better the chance you have of keeping your tree healthy.

A few common problems are listed below to give you a heads up on things you may face in your own trees.

Tree Wounds Caused by Machinery

If you aren’t careful, running the lawn mower or weed eater too close to the base of your tree can seriously damage your tree.  This is especially true for young trees that a repeatedly damaged by machinery when doing lawn care.  The structural strength of the tree can become weakened.  It also opens the tree up to decay and pests.

Trees Open to Pests

As mentioned already, pests can take up residence in trees that have open wounds.  They can cause enough damage to kill a tree.  Several types of beetles and different boring insects are some of your trees greatest enemies.

Fungal Growth

While not all fungal growth is harmful to your tree, many kinds are and are also highly contagious.  Some types of fungi will grow and feed on your tree. Others can cause enough weakness in the trunk to cause it to snap.  This of course becomes a hazard to people and the property and structures near the tree.

Powdery Mildew

A white powdery look can take over the leaves on your trees, brought on by the fungus powdery mildew.  This fungus is spread through the wind and is highly contagious.

Insufficient Nutrients

Although we can’t always know if the soil around a tree has sufficient nutrients in it, we can look at the tree and see signs that it is missing some of the nutrients it needs.  If leaves are wilting and turning yellowish, and there is less foliage than normal, these are signs of insufficient nutrients.  These are visible signs we can look for.  Beyond the visible indicators of a problem, there are other things happening that we can’t see.  When a tree is not being nourished as it should, the end result is a tree that has gradually weakened and is more susceptible to infestations and disease.

If soil is too compacted, it can cause trees to have difficulty in their roots being able to break through, and also reduces water availability.

Leaves can provide nutrients to a tree after they’ve fallen when they decompose, but homeowners don’t always realize this and clean the leaves up to keep their yard looking nice.

On the other hand, grass that grows too close to the base of the tree can soak up the nutrients that the tree needs from the soil.  Mulching around the tree can help in place of the grass giving a completed look.