What Killed My Tree?

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Your trees contribute so much to the health and beauty of your landscape. So, when they’re stressed and dying, you should know why. If you’ve found yourself wondering, “what killed my tree?” it may be time to speak to your local tree doctor. But until you do, let’s take a look at what might be going on.

Signs You Need Tree Stress Treatment

Trees are like people, in a way. When they experience stress, it affects their health. Trees in the Texas area are threatened regularly by environmental conditions over their lifespan, especially in the summertime. Prolonged drought, wind and climbing temperatures place a great deal of stress on trees. Add to this, disease issues like tree fungus and disturbances to roots, and you may have a dying tree.

Top Signs of Stress on Trees

Insufficient water. This is one of the most obvious signs you require tree stress treatment When aggravated by the heat of summer, larger established trees can deal with brief bouts of drought, but newly planted ones will often show signs of stress. Recurring rainless periods can severely affect the older trees. If your trees look unhealthy after a drought, you may want to consider some deep watering at the ends of the branches.

Too much water. Just as a lack of water can hurt the root system, an excess of water can, too. The roots need oxygen to function properly, and when they’re waterlogged, they don’t absorb minerals. The result? They can stop growing, their leaves turn yellow, they’re prone to diseases like tree fungus and the roots can die.

Heat. When the temperatures start reaching 100 degrees, trees end up pumping more water, which can affect the soil and damage the roots.

Injury. Construction activities can end up injuring or stressing your trees. Whether it’s a direct root loss from trenching and excavating or a more subtle injury from soil being removed from or added over the root system, you will definitely require the help of a tree doctor. 

Transplant shock. Younger, newly planted trees are vulnerable to the transplanting shock caused by insufficient pruning at transplant, nursery stock damage, too much or too little water or poor soil conditions. If you’ve noticed burn along the leaf margins, poor growth or trunk bleeding, you probably required tree stress treatment.

Disease. Many diseases can impact trees, and most are specific species. For instance:

  • Anthracnose, a type of tree fungus that reproduces through spores, attacks hardwood trees, such as white oaks, sycamores, black walnuts and dogwoods.
  • Apple scab, an early-season leaf disease, can affect crab apple trees causing lesions.
  • Cedar rust can cause orange-colored spots on rosaceous plants like hawthorn.
  • Lethal yellow of palm is often found in coconut palm, date palm and other species.
  • Oak wilt is another type of tree fungus disease transmitted by infected insects through root grafts.

Insects and pests. Trees under stress are more susceptible to pests like borers, Japanese beetles, ants and moths, which can lead to death.

Don’t just sit there and wonder, “what killed my tree?” Even despite harsh environmental conditions, stress and other factors, your trees should provide your landscape with beauty for longer than you can imagine. If you suspect you require tree stress treatment by a professional, contact your local tree doctor today.