Tree Health 101: How To Know When Your Tree Needs Professional Care
Trees are a hallmark of Southwest Virginia’s landscape, contributing to the natural beauty of our mountains, shading our homes, boosting curb appeal, and adding value to our properties. But even the healthiest trees can develop issues that aren’t obvious at first glance. Knowing the hallmark signs of tree disease can protect your home, your safety, and the long‑term health of your trees.
Bare Patches Don’t Look Good Anywhere
Bare spots never look good, whether it’s your lawn, your facial hair, or your trees! While you might consider bare spots part of natural aging ( talking about trees here), it could actually be a symptom of underlying stress for the tree, originating from root damage and soil compaction, lack of nutrients being delivered to the tree, drought stress, or even internal decay, all of which contribute to a decline in tree health in Christiansburg VA landscapes. These internal or subterranean issues frequently manifest as bare patches or a thinning canopy. We have the know-how to determine whether the tree can be preserved or needs removal!
Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It
Your tree isn’t just trying to look cool. If you notice your tree leaning unnaturally, you can be confident it’s one of the signs of tree disease. When roots are decayed, severed, compacted, or waterlogged, they can’t anchor the tree. When it comes to tree health in Christiansburg, VA, we account for the dense rainfall Southwest Virginia routinely receives.
Leaning can also come from structural weakness in the trunk or soil erosion. It’s especially dangerous if the lean is new or worsening; the roots are protruding or lifting, or the angle exceeds 15-20 degrees from a vertical stance. Regardless of the cause, it’s a sign that professional tree care is necessary!
Boring Insects, But Our Job Is Anything but Boring!
Have you heard of boring insects? We think insects are pretty interesting. Oh, you mean the other type of boring! Borers are beetles or moth larvae that tunnel into a tree’s bark and inner wood and feed on its tissues. A tree care professional can always tell you for sure, but classic signs of their presence to be vigilant of are either D-shaped or round holes. In our region, the emerald ash borer is one of the most common and most destructive, and they’re the ones who leave the signature D-shape. The longer their attack persists,, the more you’ll start seeing their effects show through with canopy dieback or bark splitting.
Not every insect-afflicted tree is too far gone. Different insecticides target the insects depending on their stage of life, from larva to full-grown. We’ll know what to use and how to employ integrated pest management tactics.
Knowing The Signs of Tree Disease Means Knowing When To Call
Sometimes, Christiansburg, VA, property owners are happy to see trees removed, but if you’re looking to preserve yours for shade or the overall aesthetic of your property, an expert opinion is needed to determine whether a tree is salvageable after showing signs of tree disease. We know all things tree health in Christiansburg, VA, and would be happy to take a look at yours!
Links
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Principles | US EPA
Tree Maintenance & Seasonal Tree Care – NRV Tree Guy Tree Care Service
